ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine, are the first treatment that doctors recommend. They help balance levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants help to alleviate symptoms, but they work slower.
Psychotherapy, similar to cognitive behavioral therapy, helps adults improve their planning and organization abilities. Coaching and psychotherapy are also capable of improving social functioning.
Medicines
If you have ADHD you may benefit from medications to alleviate your symptoms. Some people find they feel better after altering their diet or taking supplements. However, these should only ever be administered under the supervision of a physician. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), or family counseling are all viable treatment options. Some adults with ADHD struggle to adhere to medication However, they should talk to their doctors and ask for assistance. Certain medications are available for purchase over the counter and some require prescriptions.
Most drugs prescribed for ADHD are effective in increasing the levels of dopamine in your brain, which reduces impulsivity and improves concentration. Some of the most popular drugs are stimulants like dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate and others. Although they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD however, they can also cause side consequences. Heart problems are among the most serious adverse effects. In addition, stimulants can cause the appearance of tics, like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth in adolescents and children by just a few months.
Nonstimulant drugs are prescribed to patients who experience intolerable side-effects from stimulants, or are at risk of heart disease. These are mostly dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants however they are safe and don't offer the risk of abuse that certain people experience with stimulant medications.
You can lessen your ADHD symptoms by following a schedule, creating and adhering to an exact budget, enhancing your organization skills, understanding about your disorder and developing strategies to manage your symptoms. It is important to speak with a professional to learn about the best approach to managing your condition, and you will find plenty of helpful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your ADHD symptoms can strain your relationships. Talking with a therapist about how you interact with your coworkers or spouse 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 recognizing that some of your actions are not intended to be mean-spirited.
Therapy
ADHD as an adult can have profound emotional, social and occupational consequences. These include lower academic achievement and higher rates of job loss and transfer, and poor work performance. Additionally, there are more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population. Comorbidity between depression, anxiety and addiction to drugs is common among adults with ADHD. Patients with comorbid disorders could have more difficulty responding to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
It is important to have an extensive medical history of the patient because a wide range of medical conditions could manifest symptoms similar to ADHD. adhd treatments adults suffering from seizures, developmental disorders sleep apnea, and thyroid disorders must be assessed more carefully. Stimulant treatment is contraindicated in patients who are addicted to drugs or with certain medical conditions, like heart disease and high blood pressure tachycardia and arrhythmias (Greenhill 2001).).
Psychosocial therapy encompasses behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for adults suffering from ADHD. 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 frequently viewed as lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
The aim of a the therapy for adults who suffer from ADHD is to improve their ability to organize their lives and help them learn better ways to organize their time. This can help reduce the risk of missing appointments or making impulsive choices that can create problems at the workplace, at school or with their personal lives. This kind of therapy could aid in improving the effectiveness of one's interactions with spouses, children and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults with ADHD is aimed at helping people change their negative behavior patterns. This kind of therapy is extremely efficient in improving the performance of people with ADHD, particularly when combined with family therapy and psychoeducation. Informing patients and significant others about ADHD can help reduce the frequency of blaming one another for the issues caused by the patient's inability to control his or her behavior. Classes that teach families and couples how to communicate better and resolve conflicts could help.
Counseling
A good treatment plan for ADHD will tackle the symptoms and their effects on work, family, and school. It includes non-stimulant and stimulant medication, as well as psychosocial treatment, specifically cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients to change their way of thinking about their behavior. It also teaches them skills to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with family and friends.
Stimulant drugs are used to treat ADHD. They balance and boost levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They have been around for a long time, and there are many kinds of medications each with their own advantages and disadvantages. The two most popular stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate, which are sold under a variety of brand names such as Adderall and Ritalin. Viloxazine is a norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine increases the amount of a chemical in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells. Viloxazine and Atomoxetine are frequently used to treat ADHD in adults since they are more gradual in onset than stimulants. These medications are also available for those who are unable to take stimulants due to health conditions or severe side effects.
It's important to recognize that comorbid disorders can mimic the symptoms of ADHD, so the severity and presence of any other medical condition should be taken into consideration when determining an ADHD diagnosis. It is essential to determine the cause of the symptoms, such as thyroid disorders, hearing and sight problems.
It's also important to note that some patients may be able to lessen their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. But it's crucial to seek medical advice prior to cutting out any foods, as this can result in nutritional deficiencies. It should only be done with the help of a doctor or dietician. Counseling can also assist patients deal with their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their families. Counseling can also assist spouses in understanding that the patient's behavior is not necessarily indicative of lack of love or willful misconduct.
Education
Both patients and doctors are often confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. Other mental disorders can coexist with ADHD and certain medical conditions and medications can also cause symptoms that mimic ADHD.
Many of these problems can be resolved by treatment or lifestyle changes. For instance, a person suffering from ADHD may benefit from adjusting their diet or taking supplements to improve their eating habits, for instance. Behavioral therapy can teach the person to be more resistant to distractions and impulsiveness, increase the focus of his mind and develop self-control. A doctor may suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or the practice of mindfulness meditation both of which can help control emotions and improve attention.
A thorough history of the symptoms and a physical exam are essential. A doctor can also examine the patient for sleep apnea, hearing and thyroid problems, vision issues as well as lead poisoning, alcohol or drug abuse. These evaluations can not only help determine the presence of an underlying disorder, but also decrease or eliminate the effects of other disorders that may contribute to ADHD-like behaviors.
When a doctor recommends medication for ADHD the most commonly prescribed ones are stimulants like dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Other non-stimulant drugs include clonidine as well as Guanfacine. These blood pressure medications can reduce an impulsive and hyperactivity problem, but may take longer to work and have side effects such as heartburn, constipation, and low sexual desire.
People suffering from ADHD often have trouble keeping appointments and are often late to work, and make irrational choices that can be a challenge for even the most tolerant friends and relatives. Couples therapy or classes to improve communication skills can help people establish solid relationships.
Exercise, diet and stress reduction all can play a part in managing ADHD symptoms. Some people with the condition have found that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements helps them, but it's important to talk to a doctor before trying these methods. If you do this without a doctor's direction could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.