ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate are the first treatment most doctors recommend. They help balance the levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine, (Strattera), can also help alleviate symptoms, but they work slower.
Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, aids adults develop their planning and organization skills. Coaching and psychotherapy can also improve social functioning.
Medicines
If you have ADHD and are suffering from it, you could benefit from taking medication to manage your symptoms. Some people feel better after altering their diets or taking supplements. However they should only be administered under the supervision of a physician. Other options include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy (CBT), and family counseling. Some adults with ADHD struggle to adhere to medication, but they should talk to their doctor and ask for assistance. Certain medications can be purchased on the internet, while others require a prescription.
Most ADHD medications work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. This reduces impulsivity, and increases concentration. Some of the most common drugs are stimulants like dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. Although they are considered the most effective treatment for ADHD, they also have adverse negative effects. Cardiovascular problems are some of the most serious side effects. The stimulant medication can also trigger the tics of blinking eyes or throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth in adolescents and children by several months.
Nonstimulant medications can be prescribed for people who have intolerable side effects from stimulants or are at risk of developing heart issues. These are mostly dopamine reuptake inhibitors and norepinephrine or alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications are not as effective as stimulants, but are safe and do not have the abuse potential that many people have with stimulant medications.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms by adhering to an established schedule, making and sticking to an exact budget, enhancing your organization skills, understanding about your disorder and developing strategies to deal with your symptoms. It is important to speak with a professional to learn about the best way to manage your condition. You can find many useful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your relationships can be strained by your ADHD symptoms. Talking with a therapist about how you interact with your family members or friends and attending classes that teach conflict resolution can be helpful. You can improve your relationships with your spouse or co-workers by helping them understand your ADHD and by telling them that your behavior is not malicious.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have significant social, emotional and occupational consequences for occupational, emotional and social. This can lead to lower academic achievement and more frequent failure to get a job and transfer, poor performance at work as well as more car accidents and higher rates of divorce than the general population (Spencer et al 2007). Comorbidity of depression, anxiety and substance abuse are common among adults with ADHD. Patients with multiple conditions may be more difficult to respond to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon, 2002).
A detailed patient history is crucial, as a variety of medical conditions can have symptoms similar to symptoms of ADHD. Patients with developmental disorders, seizure disorder, sleep apnea and thyroid disorders need to be evaluated more closely. Treatment with stimulants is not recommended in patients who are addicted to drugs or with certain medical conditions, including heart disease or high blood pressure, arrhythmias and tachycardia (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of informing patients about their condition and its impact on their lives. Psychoeducation can help patients improve their self-esteem, especially those who are often stigmatized as lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to teach patients better ways to manage their time and tasks, improving their ability to organize their lives. This can help reduce the risk of missing appointments or making impulsive choices that can result in problems at school, at work, or with their personal lives. This kind of therapy can improve the relationship of a person with their family, friends, spouse and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults with ADHD is aimed at helping people to change their negative behaviour patterns. This type of therapy is extremely efficient in improving the performance of those suffering from ADHD particularly when it is paired with psychoeducation for families and family therapy. The process of educating patients and loved ones about ADHD can reduce the likelihood of blaming each other for the problems caused by the patient's inability control his or her behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to better communicate and resolve conflicts could help.
Counseling
A well-planned treatment plan for ADHD will tackle the symptoms and their effects on work, family, and school. It includes non-stimulant and stimulant medication as along with psychosocial treatment, including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT assists patients in changing their way of thinking about their behavior. It also helps patients learn 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, each with their own benefits and adverse effects. The two most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate as well as dextroamphetamine. They are available under a variety of brand names, including Ritalin and Adderall. Other medications that treat ADHD are atomoxetine. It helps by increasing the amount of a substance in the brain that passes messages between brain cells and viloxazine which is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are commonly used to treat ADHD in adults because they are more gradual in onset than stimulants. natural add treatment are available to those who are unable to take stimulants due to other health problems or who have serious adverse effects.
It's important to note that multiple disorders can resemble the symptoms of ADHD, so the severity and presence of any other condition should be considered when determining the ADHD diagnosis. It's also crucial to rule out any physical causes of the symptoms, like thyroid disorders or hearing and vision problems.
It's also important to note that some patients might be able reduce their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. It is important to consult a physician prior to eliminating any foods. This could lead to nutritional deficiencies, and should only be done under the supervision of a dietician or doctor. Another option is counseling, which helps patients cope with their symptoms and establish stronger relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses realize that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign they are not loving or malicious.
Education
Both doctors and patients are susceptible to being misled by the diagnosis of ADHD. It's not uncommon for different mental health conditions to coexist with the disorder, and certain medications and medical conditions may cause symptoms similar to the symptoms of ADHD.
Lifestyle or treatment changes can resolve many of these issues. For instance, a person suffering from ADHD might benefit from adjusting diet or taking supplements to improve his eating habits, for instance. Behavioral therapy can teach him to better resist distractions and impulsiveness, improve the focus of his mind and develop self-control. A doctor may suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness-based meditation practice both of which can help manage emotions and increase attention.
A thorough history of the symptoms is essential and so is a physical exam. A doctor can also assess patients for sleep apnea and hearing and vision problems, thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and drug or alcohol abuse. These tests will not only aid in determining the presence of a underlying disorder but also reduce or eliminate the effects of other disorders which may contribute to ADHD-like behaviors.
If a doctor prescribes medication for ADHD, the most common ones are stimulants like dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts like methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Other non-stimulant drugs could include guanfacine or clonidine, which are blood pressure drugs which can aid in reducing impulsivity and hyperactivity, but they may take longer to kick in and might have side effects like heartburn, constipation and low sexual drive.
People with ADHD often miss appointments or are late for work and make irrational decisions which can strain the patience of even the most patient friends and relatives. Couples therapy or classes that improve communication skills can help patients develop stable relationships.
Exercise, diet, and stress reduction can all help in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have found that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it is crucial to speak with a doctor first before trying any of these treatments. If you try this without consulting a doctor it could result in nutritional deficiency and other health issues.