ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. They aid in balancing the levels of two chemical messengers inside the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants help to alleviate symptoms, but they work slower.
Psychotherapy, similar to cognitive behavioral therapy, aids adults to improve their planning and organization abilities. Coaching and psychotherapy are capable of improving social functioning.
Medications
If you have ADHD, you can benefit from medications to treat the 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 doctor. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT), or family counseling are all viable treatments. Certain adults suffering from ADHD struggle to adhere to their medication. They should speak to their doctor and seek assistance. Certain medications are available over the counter and some require a prescription.
The majority of ADHD medications are based on increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. This decreases impulsivity and improves concentration. The most commonly used medications are stimulants such as dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate and others. Although they are considered the most effective treatment for ADHD however, they can also cause negative side effects. Some of these adverse effects can be severe, like cardiovascular issues. In addition, stimulants can cause tics, such as eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth in adolescents and children by several months.
Nonstimulant drugs are often prescribed to those who suffer from uncontrollable adverse effects from stimulants or are at risk of developing heart issues. These are typically dopamine reuptake inhibitors, norepinephrine or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. These medications are not as effective as stimulants however they are safe and don't have the abuse potential that many people have when taking stimulant medication.
You can try to reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a structured schedule, establishing and adhering to a budget, improving the organization skills, learning more about your condition and implementing strategies for dealing with your symptoms. It is important to speak with a professional to learn about the best approach to managing your condition, and you can find many useful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your relationships may be strained by your ADHD symptoms. Talking to a therapist about how you interact with your spouse or co-workers and taking classes to learn conflict resolution can be helpful. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how ADHD affects you and understanding that some of your behavior are not intended to be mean-spirited.
Therapy
ADHD as an adult can have profound emotional, social and occupational repercussions. This includes lower academic performance and more frequent failure to get a job and transfer, poor performance at work as well as a higher number of car accidents, and higher divorce rates than the general population (Spencer and colleagues 2007). Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to be suffering from anxiety, depression or abuse of substances. People with comorbid disorders might have more difficulty responding to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
A detailed patient history is essential, since many medical conditions can have symptoms similar to those of ADHD. Patients suffering from developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning should be cautiously assessed. Treatment with stimulants is not recommended in those who abuse drugs or with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, tachycardia and arrhythmias (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of teaching patients about their condition as well as its effects on different areas of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can also aid in improving self-esteem among patients who typically are stigmatized, for example, being viewed as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to teach patients how to organize their time and work as well as improving their skills in organizing. This can help decrease the chance of missing appointments or making impulsive decisions that can cause difficulties at work, school or in their private lives. This kind of therapy can improve the relationship of a person with their spouse, children and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults with ADHD is designed to help individuals change their behaviors. This type of therapy can be very efficient in improving the performance of those suffering from ADHD, especially if coupled with psychoeducation and family therapy. Educating patients and their close friends about ADHD can help reduce the likelihood of blaming one another for problems caused by the person's inability to manage his or her behavior. Classes that teach families and couples how to better communicate and resolve conflicts could help.
Counseling
A well-designed treatment strategy will address the symptoms of ADHD and their impact on work, school, and family. It will include stimulant and nonstimulant drugs as well as psychosocial therapy, notably cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change the way they think about their behavior. It also helps them develop skills to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with family and friends.
Stimulant drugs are used to treat ADHD. adhd treatments adults help to regulate and boost levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They have been around for a long period of time, and there are many kinds of drugs each with its distinct advantages and negative effects. The two most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate as well as dextroamphetamine, which are sold under many brand names, including Ritalin and Adderall. adhd treatment in adults is a selective norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine boosts the amount of a chemical in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are commonly used to treat ADHD in adults due to the fact that they are less likely to cause symptoms than stimulants. They are also available for people who can't take stimulants due to other health issues or experience serious side effects.
It's important to note that co-occurring disorders can cause symptoms of ADHD So the severity and frequency of any other medical condition should be considered when making an ADHD diagnosis. It's also important to rule out physical causes of the symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or hearing and vision problems.
It's also worth noting that some patients may be able to lessen their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. It is important to consult with a doctor prior to eliminating any food. This could result in nutritional deficiencies, and should only be done with the guidance of a physician or dietician. Counseling can also help patients manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses understand that the patient's behavior not necessarily a sign that they are not loving or malicious.
Education
Both patients and doctors are susceptible to being misled by the diagnosis of ADHD. It's not uncommon for other mental health conditions to coexist with the disorder. Additionally, certain medications and medical conditions can also produce symptoms that mimic those of ADHD.
Many of these problems can be resolved by treatment or lifestyle adjustments. Someone suffering from ADHD could benefit from changing their diet or taking supplements to improve his eating habits, for example. Behavioral therapy can help him to resist distractions and impulsiveness, increase the focus of his mind and develop self-control. A doctor might suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness meditation practice both of which can help manage emotions and improve attention.
A thorough history of symptoms and a physical exam are important. A physician can also test for sleep apnea as well as other disorders like issues with vision and hearing, thyroid disorders, drug or alcohol abuse as well as lead poisoning. In addition to determining if there is a possibility of a root cause, these tests can assist in determining or limit the effects of other disorders that might cause an individual's ADHD-like behavior.
When a doctor recommends medication for ADHD The most popular ones are stimulants such as dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts like methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Other non-stimulant drugs could include guanfacine and clonidine which are blood pressure drugs that can help with hyperactivity and impulsivity, however they might take longer to start working and might have adverse effects such as constipation, heartburn and low sexual drive.
People suffering from ADHD often miss appointments and are often late to work and make irrational decisions which can strain the patience of even the most patient friends and relatives. Couples therapy and classes that focus on improving communication skills can help patients develop stable relationships.
Exercise, diet and stress reduction could all play a part in managing ADHD symptoms. Certain people suffering from the condition have found that removing certain foods or taking supplements can help them, but it's crucial to talk to a doctor before trying these methods. If you do this without a doctor's advice could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.