ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine, are the first treatment most doctors recommend. They aid in balancing levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants also can alleviate symptoms, but they do so slower.
Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy can help adults acquire skills to improve organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy can also help improve social functioning.
Medicines
If you have ADHD, you can benefit from taking medication to manage your symptoms. Some people find they are more comfortable after changing their diets or taking supplements. However they should only be administered under the supervision of a physician. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or family counseling are all possible solutions. Some adults with ADHD struggle to adhere to their medication. They should speak to their doctor and seek assistance. Some medications are available over-the-counter, while others require the prescription of a doctor.
Most medications prescribed for ADHD are effective in increasing the levels of dopamine within your brain, which reduces the impulsivity and increases focus. The most popular medications are stimulants, like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. While they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD, they also have adverse consequences. Some of these side effects can be severe, like heart problems. The stimulant medication can also trigger the appearance of tics, like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also delay growth by a few month for teenagers and children.
Nonstimulant medications are prescribed to patients who suffer from uncontrollable side effects from stimulants, or who are at risk of heart disease. These are mostly dopamine reuptake inhibitors 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 some people are prone to with stimulant medications.
You can try to reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a structured schedule, establishing and adhering to a budget, improving your organizational skills, gaining knowledge about your disorder and devising strategies to manage your symptoms. Talk to a professional about the best ways to manage your disorder. You can also find a wealth of useful resources on the site of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your relationships could be strained due to your ADHD symptoms. Talking to a therapist about the way you interact with your family members or friends and taking classes that teach conflict resolution can be helpful. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how your ADHD affects you and understanding that some of your behavior are not a deliberate act of aggression.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have significant social, emotional and occupational effects on occupational, emotional and social. This can lead to lower academic achievement and higher rates of job failure and transfer, poor work performance as well as a higher number of car accidents, and higher divorce rates than the general population (Spencer and colleagues 2007). Comorbidity of depression, anxiety and addiction to substances is prevalent among adults suffering from ADHD. Those with comorbid conditions may be less responsive to stimulant medications (Barkley & Gordon, 2002).
A detailed patient history is essential, since many medical conditions can have symptoms similar to symptoms of ADHD. Patients with developmental disorders, seizure disorder sleep apnea, thyroid disorders must be assessed more carefully. adhd symptoms and treatment with active substance abuse or those suffering from particular medical conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure are contraindicated from receiving stimulant therapy (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of teaching patients about their disorder and its impact on different areas of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can help patients boost their self-esteem, particularly those who are often viewed as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to teach patients better ways to manage their time and activities as well as improving their organizational skills. This can reduce the chances of missing appointments or making decisions that are impulsive and could create problems at the workplace, at school or with their personal lives. This type of therapy may also improve a person's relationships with their family, friends, spouse and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults who suffer from ADHD is designed to help individuals change their behaviors. This type of therapy can be extremely effective in improving the functioning of those with ADHD especially when combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. Through educating patients and their loved ones about ADHD it will reduce the amount of time they blame each other for the issues caused by a person's inability to manage his or her behavior. Classes that train couples and families how to communicate more effectively and improve their conflict resolution skills can also be helpful.
Counseling
A well-designed treatment strategy will address the symptoms of ADHD and their effects on work, school, and the family. It will include stimulant and nonstimulant medication as along with psychosocial treatment, including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change their thinking about their behavior. It also teaches patients how to manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
Stimulant medication is used to treat ADHD. They help to regulate and boost levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. There are many different types of stimulant medications, all with their own benefits and negative side effects. The two most popular stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine that are available under many different brands, including Adderall and Ritalin. Other medications used to treat ADHD include atomoxetine, which helps by increasing the amount of a chemical that is present in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells and viloxazine, which is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. 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 those who are unable to take stimulants due to health issues or severe adverse effects.
It's important to note that comorbid disorders can mimic the symptoms of ADHD, so the presence and severity of any other conditions must be considered when making the ADHD diagnosis. It's also crucial to rule out any physical reasons for the symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or problems with hearing and vision.
It's also important to note that some patients might be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. It is essential to consult with a doctor prior to eliminating any food. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies, and should only be done under the guidance of a doctor or dietician. Counseling can also help patients manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with their families. Counseling can also assist spouses in understanding that the patient's actions are not necessarily indicative of a lack of affection or willful infractions.
Education
Both doctors and patients are often confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. Other mental disorders can coexist with ADHD and certain medications and medical conditions may cause symptoms that resemble ADHD.
Treatment or lifestyle changes can resolve many of these issues. Someone suffering from ADHD could benefit by taking supplements or altering their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy will help him learn how to resist distractions, impulsiveness and improve his concentration. A doctor may suggest cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, which can both aid in controlling emotions and improve concentration.
A thorough history of the symptoms and a physical exam are crucial. A doctor can also assess patients for sleep apnea and hearing and vision problems, thyroid disorders as well as lead poisoning, alcohol or drug abuse. These evaluations will not only aid in determining the presence of an underlying disorder, but also help reduce or eliminate the effects of other disorders that can contribute to the ADHD-like behavior.
The majority of stimulants are prescribed by doctors for ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine Concerta and Adderall. Nonstimulant drugs might include guanfacine or clonidine, which are blood pressure drugs that can help with impulsivity and hyperactivity, but they may take longer to begin working and may cause negative side effects like heartburn, constipation and low sex drive.
ADHD patients tend to forget appointments, show up late for work and make irrational choices that can cause stress to even the most patient of family and friends members. Couples therapy or classes that improve communication skills can help people establish solid relationships.
Diet, exercise and stress reduction could all play a part in managing ADHD symptoms. Certain people suffering from ADHD have discovered that avoiding certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it's important to consult a doctor prior to attempting any of these treatments. If you do this without consulting with a physician this could lead to nutritional deficiency and other health issues.