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. Antidepressants, as well as Atomoxetine (Strattera) are also able to reduce symptoms, but they do so slower.
Psychotherapy, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults improve their planning and organization abilities. Psychotherapy and coaching can also enhance social functioning.
Medications
You can use medications to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people be able to improve their condition by changing their diet or taking supplements, but these should only be utilized under the supervision of a doctor. Other options include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and counseling for families. Some people with ADHD are unable to stay on medication however, they should speak with their doctors and ask for help. Some medications can be purchased on the internet, while others require prescription.
The majority of drugs prescribed for ADHD are effective in increasing the levels of dopamine in your brain, which reduces impulsivity and enhances focus. Some of the most popular medications are stimulants like methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. Although they are considered the most effective treatment for ADHD, they also have side negative effects. Heart problems are among the most serious adverse effects. Stimulant medication may also cause the appearance of tics, like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth by a few months for teenagers and children.
Nonstimulant medications can be prescribed to those who suffer from adverse reactions to stimulants that are not tolerated or are at risk of heart problems. These are mostly dopamine reuptake inhibitors and norepinephrine or alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. These medications are not as effective as stimulants however they are safe and do not have the abuse potential that certain people experience when taking stimulant medication.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a well-planned schedule, making and sticking to a budget, improving organizational skills, learning more about your disorder and implementing strategies to manage your symptoms. It is important to speak with an expert to find out the best approach to managing your disorder, and you can find many useful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your ADHD symptoms can strain your relationships. Talking to a therapist about the way you interact with your spouse or co-workers and attending classes that teach conflict resolution can be helpful. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how your ADHD affects you, and also recognizing that some of your behaviors are not a deliberate act of aggression.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood has serious social, emotional and occupational effects on occupational, emotional and social. This includes lower academic performance as well as higher rates of transfer and job failure, as well as poor performance at work. There are also treatment of adhd in adults , and higher divorce rates than the general population. Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression or substance abuse. Patients with multiple conditions may have a harder time responding to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
A thorough history of the patient is crucial, as a variety of medical conditions can have symptoms similar to symptoms of ADHD. Patients suffering from seizures, developmental disorders sleep apnea, and thyroid disorders must be assessed more closely. The use of stimulants is not recommended for those who abuse drugs or those suffering from certain medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, tachycardia and arrhythmias (Greenhill 2001).).
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of educating patients about their disorder and its impact on different aspects of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can help patients improve their self-esteem, especially those who are often viewed as lazy or less intelligent.
The aim of a behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is to enhance their ability to organize their lives and teach them how to manage their time. This can help reduce the risk of missing appointments and making impulsive choices that can create problems at school, at work or with their personal lives. This kind of therapy can improve the relationship of a person with their children, spouse and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is focused on helping individuals modify their behavior patterns that are harmful to them. This type of therapy is very efficient in improving the performance of people with ADHD especially when 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 problems caused by a patient's inability control his or her behavior. Classes that help couples and families how to communicate more effectively and to develop strategies for resolving conflicts can help.
Counseling
A successful treatment plan for ADHD will tackle the symptoms and their effects on work, family and school. It will include non-stimulant and stimulant medication as well as psychosocial treatment, including 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 used to treat ADHD increase and regulate levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They've been around for a long time and there are a variety of types of medications, each with its distinct advantages and negative effects. The two most frequently prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate as well as dextroamphetamine. These are sold under various brand names, including Ritalin and Adderall. Other medications used to treat ADHD are atomoxetine, which is a stimulant that increases the amount of a chemical in the brain that passes 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 less likely to cause symptoms than stimulants. They are also available to those who cannot take stimulants due other medical conditions or serious adverse effects.
It is crucial to keep in mind that comorbidities can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore the severity and presence of other conditions must be taken into consideration when diagnosing ADHD. It's important to eliminate physical causes of the symptoms, including thyroid disorders or hearing and sight problems.
It's also worth noting that some patients may be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by altering their diet. However, it's important to seek medical advice prior eliminating any food items, as this can lead to nutritional deficiencies and should only be done with the assistance of a physician or dietician. Another option is counseling which can help patients learn to cope with their symptoms and establish better relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses realize that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign they are unloving or malicious.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be confusing for both the patient and the doctor. It's not uncommon for other mental health conditions to coexist with the disorder. Additionally, certain medications and medical conditions can cause symptoms that resemble the symptoms of ADHD.
Many of these problems can be solved with treatments or lifestyle modifications. Someone suffering from ADHD might benefit from adjusting diet or taking supplements to improve their eating habits, for example. Behavioral therapy can teach the person to be more resistant to distractions and impulsiveness, increase his concentration and self-control. A doctor might suggest cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, which can both help control emotions and increase concentration.
A thorough history of symptoms is essential, as is a physical exam. A doctor can also look for sleep apnea, as well as other conditions like hearing and vision issues thyroid disorders, drug or alcohol abuse, and lead poisoning. In addition to determining the existence of an underlying cause these evaluations can assist in determining or limit 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 dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, Concerta and Adderall. Other non-stimulant drugs include clonidine as well as Guanfacine. These blood pressure medication can help with hyperactivity and impulsivity, but may take longer to work and have side effects such as heartburn, constipation, and a lack of sex.
People suffering from ADHD often miss appointments, are late for work and make irrational decisions which can strain the patience of even the most tolerant family members and friends. Couples therapy or classes that help improve communication skills can help people develop stable relationships.
Exercise, diet and stress reduction all play a role in managing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have found that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it is important to consult a doctor prior to trying any of these methods. Doing so without a doctor's direction could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health problems.
