ADHD Treatments For Adults
The majority of doctors recommend stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. They help balance levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants also can reduce symptoms, but they operate slower.
Psychotherapy, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults to improve their planning and organizational abilities. Coaching and psychotherapy can also enhance social functioning.
Medicines
If you have ADHD you may benefit from taking medication to manage the symptoms. Some people are more comfortable after changing their diet or taking supplements. However they should only be administered under the supervision of a doctor. Other treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy (CBT), and counseling for families. Certain adults suffering from ADHD struggle to stay on their medication. They should talk to their doctor and request assistance. Some medications can be purchased on the internet, while others require prescription.
The majority of ADHD medications are based on increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. This reduces impulsivity, and increases concentration. Some of the most common medications are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. While they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD but they can also trigger side consequences. Cardiovascular problems are some of the more serious side effects. In addition, stimulants can cause tics, such as eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth in children and adolescents by several months.
Nonstimulant medications can be prescribed to people who suffer from intolerable side effects from stimulants or are at risk of heart issues. These are mostly norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These aren't as effective as stimulants, however they are safe and don't have the potential for abuse that some people are prone to with stimulant drugs.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a well-planned schedule, establishing and adhering to a budget, developing the organization skills, learning more about your condition and implementing strategies to manage your symptoms. Talk to a doctor about 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 relationships may be strained due to your ADHD symptoms. Talking to a therapist about how you interact with your spouse or co-workers and taking classes to learn conflict resolution can help. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how ADHD affects you, and also recognizing that some of your behavior are not a deliberate act of aggression.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can result in significant social, emotional, and occupational consequences. This can lead to lower academic achievement and higher rates of job loss and transfer, poor work performance, more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population (Spencer et al 2007). The comorbidity of anxiety, depression and addiction to drugs is common in adults with ADHD. Those with comorbid conditions may be more difficult to respond to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon, 2002).
It is important to have an extensive history of the patient, because a wide range of medical conditions could present symptoms that are similar to ADHD. Patients with seizures, developmental disorders sleep apnea, thyroid disorders should be evaluated more carefully. Treatment with stimulants is not recommended in those who abuse drugs or with certain medical conditions, including heart disease or high blood pressure, tachycardia and arrhythmias (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy is a form of therapy that includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of informing patients about their disorder and its impact on their lives. Psychoeducation can help patients boost their self-esteem, especially those who are often stigmatized as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to help patients learn better ways of organizing their time and work, improving their skills in organizing. This will reduce the likelihood of missing appointments or making decisions impulsively that can cause issues at work, school or in their personal life. This type of therapy may improve the relationship of a person with their children, spouse and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for adults suffering from ADHD is focused on helping people change their negative patterns of behavior. This type of therapy can be very effective in improving the functioning of those with ADHD especially when coupled with psychoeducation and family therapy. By educating patients and their loved family members about ADHD it can decrease the frequency at which they blame each other for the problems caused by the inability of a patient to control their behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to communicate better and resolve conflicts could be helpful.
Counseling
A well-planned treatment plan for ADHD will tackle the symptoms and their effects on work, family and school. It will include stimulant and nonstimulant medications as in addition to psychosocial treatment, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients to change their way of thinking about their behavior. It also teaches them skills to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
Stimulant drugs are used to treat ADHD. They regulate and increase levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. treatment for adhd adults have been around for a long time, and there are many kinds of drugs each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The two most popular stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine that are available under a variety of brands, including Adderall and Ritalin. Viloxazine is a selective reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine enhances the amount of a chemical in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are commonly used to treat ADHD in adults due to the fact that they have a slower onset than stimulants. They are also available to those who aren't able to use stimulants due to other health problems or who have severe adverse effects.
It is important to be aware that comorbidities can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore the severity and presence of other conditions should be considered when diagnosing ADHD. It is essential to eliminate physical causes of the symptoms, for example thyroid disorders, hearing and sight problems.
Certain patients may be able reduce their ADHD symptoms by making dietary changes. But it's crucial to seek medical advice prior to cutting out any food, as this can lead to nutritional deficiencies. This should only be done with the help of a physician or dietician. Another option is counseling, which can help patients learn to manage their symptoms and develop stronger relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses recognize that the patient's behavior not necessarily a sign they are averse to love or malicious.
Education
Patients and doctors alike are susceptible to being misled by the diagnosis of ADHD. Other mental disorders can coexist with ADHD, and certain medications and medical conditions may also produce symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Many of these issues can be addressed with treatment or lifestyle changes. Someone suffering from ADHD might benefit by taking supplements or altering their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy could help him to better resist distractions and impulsiveness, increase the focus of his mind and develop self-control. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness-based meditation practice both of which can help control emotions and increase focus.
A thorough medical history and a physical exam are essential. A physician can also evaluate patients for sleep apnea, hearing or thyroid problems, vision issues, lead poisoning and drug or alcohol abuse. In addition to determining the existence of an underlying cause, these evaluations can assist in determining or lessen the effects of other conditions that could cause an individual's ADHD-like behavior.
If a doctor suggests medication for ADHD The most popular ones are stimulants such as dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Other non-stimulant drugs include clonidine as well as Guanfacine. These blood pressure medicines can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, but might take longer to effect and have adverse effects like constipation, heartburn, and a lack of sex.
ADHD patients often forget appointments, arrive late to work and make uninformed choices which can stress even the most patient of family and friends members. Couples therapy and classes focusing on improving communication skills can help sufferers establish stable relationships.
Exercise, diet and stress reduction can all aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have found that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements helps them, but it's important to consult a physician before attempting these treatments. If you try this without consulting a doctor this could lead to nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.