ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, are the first treatment most doctors recommend. They can help regulate levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants also may help alleviate symptoms, but they operate slower.
Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy can help adults acquire techniques to improve organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy can help improve social functioning.
Medicines
You can use medications to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people are more comfortable after changing their diet or taking supplements. However, these should only ever be administered under the supervision of a doctor. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or family counseling are all viable treatment options. Some people with ADHD struggle to adhere to medication, but they should talk to their doctors and ask for help. Certain medications are available for purchase over the counter and some require the prescription of a doctor.
The majority of ADHD medications work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. This reduces impulsivity, and increases concentration. The most well-known drugs are stimulants, like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. They are believed to be the most effective ADHD treatment, however they can cause side effects. Some of these adverse effects can be severe, like cardiovascular problems. In addition, stimulants can cause antics, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth in adolescents and children by just a few months.
Nonstimulant drugs are prescribed to those who suffer from uncontrollable side effects from stimulants, or are at risk of heart disease. These medications include dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. These aren't as effective as stimulants, however they are safe and don't carry the risk of abuse that some people are prone to with stimulant medication.
You can try to reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a structured schedule, making and sticking to a budget, developing your organizational skills, gaining knowledge about your disorder and implementing strategies for dealing with your symptoms. It is recommended to talk with an expert to find out the best method to manage your condition, and you can find many useful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your ADHD symptoms can cause stress in your relationships. 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 your ADHD affects you and understanding that some of your behaviors are not intentionally mean-spirited.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have significant occupational, emotional and social consequences for occupational, emotional and social. These include lower academic achievements, higher rates for job failure and transfer and poor performance at work. There are also more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population. Comorbidity between depression, anxiety and addiction to substances is prevalent among adults suffering from ADHD. Patients with multiple conditions may have a harder time responding to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
It is essential to take an extensive background of the patient as many medical conditions can manifest symptoms similar to ADHD. Patients with developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning should be cautiously assessed. Patients who are active in their addiction to substances or those suffering from particular medical conditions like heart disease or high blood pressure should refrain from receiving stimulant treatment (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of educating patients about their condition and its impact on their lives. Psychoeducation can help patients build their self-esteem, particularly those who are often viewed as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
The goal of behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD, is to improve their ability to organize their lives and help them learn better ways to manage their time. This can help to reduce the risk of not attending appointments or making impulsive choices that can cause issues at work, school or in their personal lives. This type of therapy may help improve 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 is extremely effective at improving the functioning of people with ADHD, particularly when combined with family therapy and psychoeducation. By educating patients and loved family members about ADHD it can decrease the amount of time they blame each other for the difficulties caused by a person's inability to control their behavior. Classes that help couples and families to communicate more effectively and to develop techniques for conflict resolution can be beneficial.
Counseling
A well-planned treatment plan for ADHD will focus on the symptoms and their impact on family, work, and school. It will include non-stimulant and stimulant medications as in addition to psychosocial treatment, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change the way they think about their behavior. It also helps patients learn how to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with family and friends.
Stimulant medications used to treat ADHD boost and balance levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. There are many different types of stimulant medications, all with their own benefits and adverse effects. The two most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine, which are available under a variety of brands, including Ritalin and Adderall. Other drugs used to treat ADHD are atomoxetine, which works by increasing the amount of a substance in the brain that passes messages between brain cells, and viloxazine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. treat adult adhd and viloxazine are often used to treat ADHD in adults due to the fact that they have a slower onset than stimulants. These drugs are also available to those who are unable to take stimulants due to other health conditions or severe side effects.
It is important to remember that comorbid conditions can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore the presence and severity of other conditions should be considered when diagnosing ADHD. It's important to rule out physical causes of the symptoms, for example thyroid disorders, hearing and sight problems.
Certain patients may be able to lessen their ADHD symptoms by making dietary changes. However, it's essential to seek medical advice prior cutting out any food which could lead to nutritional deficiencies. This should only be done with the help of a physician or dietician. Another option is counseling, which can assist patients in learning to cope with their symptoms and establish stronger relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses realize that the patient's behavior not necessarily a sign they are not loving or malicious.
Education
Both doctors and patients are often confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. Other mental disorders can coexist with ADHD and certain medical conditions and medications may cause symptoms that mimic ADHD.
Many of these issues can be resolved by treatments or lifestyle changes. Someone suffering from ADHD may benefit from taking supplements or adjusting their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy can teach him how to resist distractions, impulsiveness, and improve the focus of his mind. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness meditation practice both of which can help control emotions and improve attention.
A complete history of symptoms is crucial and so is a physical examination. A physician can also test for sleep apnea as well as other conditions like issues with vision and hearing thyroid disorders, alcohol or drug abuse as well as lead poisoning. These evaluations 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 suggests medication for ADHD The most popular medications are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Other non-stimulant drugs could include guanfacine and clonidine which are blood pressure medications which can aid in reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity, but they may take longer to start working and might have negative side effects like constipation, heartburn, and low sex drive.
ADHD patients are often unable to remember appointments, arrive late for work and make uninformed choices which can stress even the most patient of friends and family members. Couples therapy and classes focusing on improving communication skills can help sufferers establish stable relationships.
Exercise, diet, and stress reduction all be a factor in reducing ADHD symptoms. Certain people suffering from ADHD have found that avoiding certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it's important to consult a doctor first before trying any of these treatments. Doing so without a doctor's advice could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health problems.