ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, are the first treatment most doctors recommend. They can help regulate levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants may help alleviate symptoms, but they work slower.
Psychotherapy, similar to cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults to improve their planning and organizational abilities. Psychotherapy and coaching can also enhance social functioning.
Medicines
You can take medications to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people find they feel better after changing their diet or taking supplements. However, these should only ever be administered under the supervision of a doctor. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or family counseling are all viable treatment options. Many adults suffering from ADHD struggle to stay on their medication. They should speak to their doctor and request assistance. Some medications can be purchased over-the-counter while others need prescription.
Most ADHD medications work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. This reduces impulsivity, and improves concentration. The most commonly used drugs are stimulants like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. While they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD but they can also trigger adverse consequences. Some of these adverse effects can be serious, for instance, heart problems. In addition, stimulants can cause antics, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth in children and adolescents by a few months.
Nonstimulant drugs are prescribed to patients who suffer from insufferable side-effects of stimulants, or are at risk of heart disease. These are typically dopamine reuptake inhibitors, norepinephrine or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but are safe and don't have the abuse potential that certain people experience with stimulant medications.
You can attempt to lessen your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a planned schedule, creating and adhering to a budget, enhancing the organization skills, learning more about your disorder and devising strategies to manage your symptoms. Talk to a professional about the best ways to manage your ADHD. You can also find many useful resources on the site of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your ADHD symptoms can affect your relationships. Talking with a therapist about how you interact with your spouse or co-workers and attending classes that teach conflict resolution can help. You can improve your relationships with your family members or friends by helping them understand your ADHD and by telling them that your behavior isn't intentional.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood has serious social, emotional and occupational consequences. This includes lower academic performance and higher rates of job loss and transfer, and poor performance at work. Additionally, there are more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population. Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, or abuse of substances. Those with comorbid conditions may be more difficult to respond to stimulant medication (Barkley & Gordon 2002).
A thorough history of the patient is essential, since many medical conditions may have symptoms similar to those of ADHD. Patients with seizures, developmental disorders, sleep apnea thyroid disorders and lead poisoning should be cautiously assessed. treatment of adhd in adults with active substance abuse or those suffering from certain medical conditions such as heart disease or high blood pressure are contraindicated from receiving stimulant treatment (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of teaching patients about their condition and its impact on different aspects of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can also improve self-esteem for patients who frequently suffer from stigmas, such as being viewed as lazy or less intelligent.
The aim of a behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is to enhance their ability to organize their lives and teach them how to organize their time. This can reduce the chances of missing appointments and making decisions that are impulsive and could result in problems at school, at work or with their personal lives. This type of therapy can also improve the effectiveness of one's interactions with their spouses, children and coworkers.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults who suffer from ADHD is aimed at helping individuals change their behavior patterns. This kind of therapy is extremely effective in improving the functioning of those suffering from ADHD, especially if it is combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. By educating patients and loved ones about ADHD, it can reduce the frequency at which they blame each other for the difficulties caused by a patient's inability control their behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to communicate more effectively and resolve conflicts could help.
Counseling
A well-planned treatment plan for ADHD will tackle the symptoms and their impacts on the family, work and school. It will include stimulant and nonstimulant drugs and psychosocial therapy, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change the way they think about their behavior. It also helps patients learn to manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
Stimulant medications are used to treat ADHD. They help to regulate and boost levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They've been around for a long time, and there are many kinds of medications each with their own benefits and side effects. The two most popular stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine that are available under various names, such as Adderall and Ritalin. Viloxazine is a selective norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine enhances the amount of a brain chemical that transmits messages between brain cells. Viloxazine and Atomoxetine are frequently used to treat ADHD in adults since they are more gradual in onset than stimulants. They are also available to people who are unable to take stimulants due to medical conditions or serious adverse effects.
It is crucial to keep in mind that comorbid conditions can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore, the presence and severity other conditions should be considered when diagnosing ADHD. It's also crucial to rule out any physical causes of the symptoms, like an underlying thyroid disorder or hearing and vision problems.
Certain patients may be able reduce their ADHD symptoms by making changes to their diet. It is important to consult with a doctor prior to eliminating any foods. This could lead to nutritional deficiencies and should only be done under the supervision of a physician or dietician. Another option is counseling, which helps patients manage their symptoms and build stronger relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses understand that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign they are averse to love or malicious.
Education
Patients and doctors alike can be confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. Other mental disorders can coexist with ADHD, and certain medications and medical conditions can also cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Treatment or lifestyle changes can solve a lot of these issues. Someone suffering from ADHD could benefit from changing their diet or taking supplements to improve his eating habits, for example. Behavioral therapy can teach him to resist the temptations and impulsiveness that can distract him, improve the focus of his mind and develop self-control. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, which can both aid in regulating emotions and increase concentration.
A thorough history of symptoms and a physical examination are essential. A doctor can also assess the patient for sleep apnea and hearing and thyroid problems, vision issues or lead poisoning as well as alcohol or drug abuse. In addition to determining the existence of an underlying cause, these tests can assist in determining or reduce the effects of other disorders that might cause a patient's ADHD-like behavior.
The majority of stimulants are prescribed by doctors for ADHD. They include dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, Concerta and Adderall. Nonstimulant drugs include clonidine and guanfacine. These blood pressure medication can help with an impulsive and hyperactivity problem, but can take longer to work and can cause negative side effects, such as constipation, heartburn, and a lack of sex.
ADHD patients tend to forget appointments, show up late for work, and make irrational decisions which can stress even the most patient of family and friends members. Couples therapy and classes focusing on improving communication skills can help people build relationships that are stable.
Exercise, diet, and stress reduction can all be a factor in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have found that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements helps them, however it's vital to talk to a doctor before trying these therapies. If you do this without a doctor's direction could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.