ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants, such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. They help balance the levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine (Strattera) are also able to reduce symptoms but work slower.
Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy can help adults acquire strategies to improve their organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy are also able to improve social functioning.
Medications
If you have ADHD you may benefit from taking medication to treat the symptoms. Some people feel better after altering their diets or taking supplements. However, these should only ever be administered under the supervision of a medical professional. Other treatments can include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy (CBT) and counseling for families. Some people with ADHD struggle to adhere to medication however, they should speak with their doctors and ask for help. Certain medications can be purchased over-the-counter while others need prescriptions.
Most medications prescribed for ADHD are effective in increasing the levels of dopamine in your brain, which reduces impulsivity and improves focus. The most popular medications are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. Although they are considered the most effective treatment for ADHD but they can also trigger negative side effects. Some of these adverse effects can be serious, for instance, cardiovascular issues. In addition, stimulants can cause antics, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth in adolescents and children by several months.
Nonstimulant drugs are often prescribed to people who suffer from intolerable side effects from stimulants or are at risk of heart problems. These medications are primarily dopamine reuptake inhibitors and norepinephrine or alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. These aren't as effective as stimulants, but they are safe and don't carry the risk of abuse that certain people experience with stimulant medications.
You can attempt to lessen your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a structured schedule, establishing and adhering to a budget, enhancing organizational skills, learning more about your disorder and devising strategies to manage your symptoms. Consult a professional regarding the best methods to manage your disorder. You can also find many useful resources on the site of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your ADHD symptoms can cause stress in your relationships. You can improve your relationships by speaking with a therapist or taking classes on conflict resolution. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how your ADHD affects you and recognizing that some of your actions are not intended to be mean-spirited.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have significant emotional, social and occupational consequences for occupational, emotional and social. These include lower academic success, higher rates of job loss and transfer, poor performance at work as well as more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population (Spencer and colleagues 2007). Adults with ADHD are more likely to be suffering from anxiety, depression or abuse of substances. Patients with comorbid disorders could have more difficulty responding to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
It is crucial to obtain an extensive history of the patient, as many medical conditions can have symptoms similar to ADHD. Patients suffering from developmental disorders, seizure disorder sleep apnea, and thyroid disorders need to be evaluated more carefully. Treatment with stimulants is not recommended in those who abuse drugs or in those with certain medical conditions, including heart disease and high blood pressure arrhythmias and tachycardia (Greenhill 2001).).
Psychosocial therapy includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of informing patients about their disorder and the effects it has on their lives. Psychoeducation can help patients build their self-esteem, especially those who are often viewed as lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
The aim of a behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is to improve their organizational skills and teach them how to organize their time. This will to reduce the risk of not attending appointments or making decisions impulsively which can lead to problems at school, work or in their personal lives. This kind of therapy can also improve a person's relationships with their children, spouse and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is focused on helping individuals change their negative patterns of behavior. This kind of therapy can be very effective in improving the functioning of people suffering from ADHD, especially if coupled with psychoeducation and family therapy. The process of educating patients and loved ones about ADHD can help decrease the frequency of blaming each other for the problems caused by the patient's inability to control their behavior. Classes that teach families and couples how to communicate better and resolve conflicts can be beneficial.
Counseling
A good treatment plan for ADHD will focus on the symptoms and their impacts on the family, work, and school. It will include both stimulant and nonstimulant drugs and psychosocial therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change the way they think about their behavior. adhd treatment in adults helps patients learn to manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with family and friends.
Stimulant drugs are used to treat ADHD. They regulate and increase levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. There are a variety of stimulant medications, all with their own advantages and side-effects. The two most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. They are available under a variety of brands, including Ritalin and Adderall. Viloxazine is a selective reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine increases the amount of a chemical in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells. Atomoxetine and viloxazine are often used to treat ADHD in adults since they are less likely to cause symptoms than stimulants. These drugs are also available to people who cannot take stimulants due to other medical conditions or serious side effects.
It's important to recognize that multiple disorders can resemble the symptoms of ADHD Therefore, the presence and severity of any other medical condition should be considered when making an ADHD diagnosis. It's important to eliminate physical causes of the symptoms, for example thyroid disorders, hearing or sight problems.
It's also important to note that some patients may be able reduce their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. But it's crucial to seek medical advice prior to cutting out any food which could lead to nutritional deficiencies. This should only be done with the help of a doctor or a dietician. Another option is counseling which helps patients cope with their symptoms and build stronger relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses recognize that the patient's behavior not necessarily a sign they are unloving or malicious.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a bit confusing for both patients and doctors. Other mental disorders may coexist with ADHD and certain medications and medical conditions can also cause symptoms that resemble ADHD.
Lifestyle or treatment changes can resolve many of these issues. Someone suffering from ADHD could benefit from taking supplements or adjusting their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy could help him to better resist the temptations and impulsiveness that can distract him, improve his concentration and self-control. A doctor might suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or the practice of mindfulness meditation, both of which can help control emotions and improve attention.
A thorough history of the symptoms and a physical exam are important. A physician can also check for sleep apnea, as well as other conditions such as issues with vision and hearing, thyroid disorders, drug or alcohol abuse and lead poisoning. These assessments can help to determine the presence of a underlying disorder but also reduce or eliminate the effects of other disorders which can contribute to the ADHD-like behavior.
The majority of stimulants are prescribed by doctors for ADHD. They include methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine Concerta and Adderall. Other non-stimulant drugs could include guanfacine or clonidine, which are blood pressure medicines that can help with hyperactivity and impulsivity, however they may take longer to begin working and might have adverse effects such as heartburn, constipation and low sex drive.
People suffering from ADHD often forget appointments and are often late to work, and make irrational choices that can be a challenge for even the most patient family members and friends. Couples therapy or classes to improve communication skills can help patients establish solid relationships.
Exercise, diet, and stress reduction can all be a factor in reducing ADHD symptoms. Certain people suffering from the condition have found that removing certain foods or taking supplements helps them, but it's important to consult with a doctor before trying these therapies. If you try this without consulting a doctor it could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.