ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine. They can help regulate levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants also help to alleviate symptoms, but they do so slower.
Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults learn skills to improve organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy are capable of improving social functioning.
Medications
You can use medications to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people might discover that they improve through a change in their diet or taking supplements, but these should only be utilized under the guidance of a physician. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or family counseling are all possible solutions. Certain adults suffering from ADHD struggle to adhere to their medication. They should speak to their doctor and ask for assistance. Some medications are available over-the-counter, while others require a prescription.
Most ADHD medications help by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. This reduces impulsivity, and increases concentration. The most commonly used medications are stimulants such as dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. They are thought to be the most effective ADHD treatment, but they do have side effects. Cardiovascular issues are among the most serious adverse effects. Stimulant medication may also cause tics, such as eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth in children and adolescents by just a few months.
Nonstimulant medications are prescribed to people who suffer from insufferable side-effects of stimulants, or who are at risk of developing heart disease. These are mostly dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. These medications are not as effective as stimulants, but are safe and do not contain the potential for abuse that many people have with stimulant medications.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms by following the prescribed schedule, creating and adhering to a strict budget, improving your organization skills, understanding about your disorder and developing strategies to address your symptoms. It is recommended to talk with a professional to learn about the best way to manage your disorder, and you will find plenty of helpful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your ADHD symptoms can affect your relationships. You can improve your relationships by talking to an therapist and attending classes on conflict resolution. You can improve your relationships with your coworkers or spouse by letting them know about your ADHD and making them aware that your behavior isn't malicious.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have significant emotional, social, and occupational consequences. These include lower academic achievements and higher rates of job loss and transfer, and poor work performance. There are also more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population. Comorbidity of depression, anxiety and addiction to substances is common among adults with ADHD. Patients with comorbid disorders could have more difficulty responding to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
It is essential to take a detailed background of the patient as many medical conditions can manifest symptoms similar to ADHD. Patients with seizures, developmental disorders sleep apnea, and thyroid disorders need to be evaluated more closely. Patients who abuse substances, or those with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease and high blood pressure are contraindicated from receiving stimulant treatment (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of educating patients about their condition and the effects it has on their lives. Psychoeducation can also aid in improving self-esteem for patients who frequently face stigma, such as being viewed as lazy or less intelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to help patients learn how to organize their time and activities, improving their skills in organizing. This can help reduce the risk of missing appointments or making decisions impulsively that could create problems at school, at work or with their personal lives. This kind of therapy can also help improve the effectiveness of a person's interactions with children, spouses and coworkers.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is focused on helping people to change their behavior patterns that are harmful to them. This kind of therapy can be very effective in improving the functioning of those with ADHD particularly when it is it is combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. By educating patients and their loved family members about ADHD, it can reduce the frequency at which they blame each other for the difficulties caused by the inability of a patient to manage his or her behavior. Classes that teach couples and families to communicate more effectively and develop conflict resolution skills can also be beneficial.
Counseling
A well-planned treatment plan for ADHD will tackle the symptoms and their impacts on the family, work, and school. It should include stimulant and nonstimulant medication and psychosocial therapy, particularly 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.
The stimulant medications used to treat ADHD boost and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They've been around for a long time, and there are several different kinds of drugs, each with its own benefits and side effects. The two most common stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine, which are available under a variety of names, such as Adderall and Ritalin. Other medications used to treat ADHD are atomoxetine. It works by increasing the amount of a chemical that is present in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells, and viloxazine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are commonly used to treat ADHD in adults due to the fact that they are more gradual in onset than stimulants. They are also available to people who can't take stimulants because of other health issues or suffer from severe side effects.
It is important to remember that co-occurring disorders can cause symptoms of ADHD, so the severity and frequency of any other conditions should be considered when making the ADHD diagnosis. It's also crucial to rule out physical reasons for the symptoms, like a thyroid disorder or problems with hearing and vision.
It's also worth noting that some patients may be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by altering their diet. It's important to consult a doctor before eliminating any foods. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies and should only be done under the supervision of a doctor or dietician. Another option is counseling which helps patients cope with their symptoms and develop stronger relationships with their families. Counseling can also assist spouses in understanding that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign of a lack of love or a deliberate act of misconduct.
add treatments for adults of ADHD can be confusing for both the patient and the doctor. Other mental disorders may coexist with ADHD, and certain medical conditions and medications can also cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Lifestyle changes or treatment can solve a lot of these issues. For instance, a person suffering from ADHD could benefit from changing their diet or taking supplements to improve his eating habits, for example. Behavioral therapy can teach him how to better resist distractions, impulsiveness and increase his concentration. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness meditation practice that can help manage emotions and increase attention.
A thorough history of the symptoms is important, as is a physical exam. A doctor can also examine patients for sleep apnea, hearing and vision problems, thyroid disorders as well as lead poisoning, alcohol or drug abuse. In addition to determining the existence of a root cause, these evaluations can assist in determining or reduce the effects of other disorders that could contribute to a patient's ADHD-like behavior.
Most commonly, stimulants are prescribed by physicians for ADHD. They include methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine Concerta and Adderall. Other non-stimulant drugs include clonidine as well as guanfacine. These blood pressure medications can help with an impulsive and hyperactivity problem, but might take longer to effect and may cause negative side effects, such as constipation, heartburn and low sex desire.
ADHD patients are often unable to remember appointments, arrive late to work, and make irrational decisions which can stress even the most patient of friends and family members. Couples therapy or classes that help improve communication skills can help sufferers establish stable relationships.
Diet, exercise, and stress reduction can all play a part in managing ADHD symptoms. Certain people suffering from ADHD have found that avoiding certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it's crucial to speak with a doctor prior to trying any of these therapies. Making these decisions without a physician's advice could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health problems.