ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants, such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, are the first treatment most doctors recommend. They can help regulate levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants can reduce symptoms, but they operate slower.
Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults learn strategies to improve their organization and planning. Psychotherapy and coaching are also capable of improving social functioning.
Medicines
If you suffer from ADHD and are suffering from it, you could benefit from medications to alleviate your symptoms. Some people might discover that they improve by changing their diet or taking supplements, but they should only be taken under the guidance of a physician. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), or family counseling are all possible treatments. Many adults suffering from ADHD struggle to stick to their medication. They should talk to their doctor and ask for assistance. Certain medications are available for purchase over the counter and others require a prescription.
The majority of drugs prescribed for ADHD help by increasing the levels of dopamine inside your brain, which reduces impulsivity and improves concentration. Some of the most popular drugs are stimulants, like methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. They are believed to be the most effective for ADHD treatment, but they do have side effects. treatment of add in adults are some of the more serious side effects. The stimulant medication can also trigger symptoms like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth in children and adolescents by just a few months.
Nonstimulant medications are prescribed to patients who experience intolerable side-effects from stimulants, or who are at risk of developing heart disease. These medications are mostly norepinephrine, dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. They're not as effective as stimulants, but they are safe and don't have the potential for abuse as certain people experience with stimulant medications.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a structured schedule, establishing and adhering to a budget, improving your organizational skills, gaining knowledge about your disorder and devising strategies to manage your symptoms. Consult a professional regarding the best strategies to manage your disorder. You will also find numerous useful resources on the site of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your ADHD symptoms can strain your relationships. Talking to a therapist about the way you interact with your coworkers or spouse and attending classes that teach conflict resolution can be helpful. You can improve your relationships with your coworkers or spouse by helping them understand your ADHD and by letting them know that your behavior is not malicious.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have profound emotional, social and occupational effects. These include lower academic achievements and higher rates of job loss and transfer, and poor work performance. There are also more car accidents, and higher divorce rates than the general population. Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety or addiction to drugs. Patients with comorbid disorders could have more difficulty responding to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
It is crucial to obtain an extensive medical history of the patient as many medical conditions can manifest symptoms similar to ADHD. Patients suffering from developmental disorders, seizure disorder sleep apnea, and thyroid disorders should be evaluated more closely. The use of stimulants is not recommended for patients with active substance abuse or with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease and high blood pressure arrhythmias and tachycardia (Greenhill 2001).).
Psychosocial therapy includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of teaching patients about their disorder as well as its effects 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.
Behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to teach patients better ways of organizing their time and activities as well as improving their ability to organize their lives. This can help reduce the risk of missing appointments and making decisions that are impulsive and could result in problems at school, at work, or with their personal lives. This kind of therapy can also improve the effectiveness of an individual's interactions with spouses, children and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for adults suffering from ADHD focuses on helping people change their behavior patterns that are negative. This type of therapy can be very effective in improving the functioning of those with ADHD, especially if coupled with psychoeducation and family therapy. Educating patients and their close friends about ADHD can help decrease the frequency of blaming each other for the problems caused by the patient's inability to control their behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to communicate better and manage conflicts can help.
Counseling
A well-planned treatment plan for ADHD will address the symptoms and their impact on family, work and school. It will include stimulant and nonstimulant medications and psychosocial therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients to change their thinking about their behavior. It also helps them develop skills to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
Stimulant drugs are used to treat ADHD. They balance and boost levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They have been around for a long time and there are many types of medications, each with its own benefits and side effects. The two most commonly used stimulants are dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate, which are available under a variety of brands, including Adderall and Ritalin. Viloxazine is a selective reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine enhances 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 because they have a slower onset than stimulants. They also are available to people who can't take stimulants because of other health problems or who have severe adverse effects.
It's important to recognize that comorbid disorders can mimic the symptoms of ADHD Therefore, the severity and presence of any other conditions should be taken into consideration when making an ADHD diagnosis. It is essential to eliminate physical causes of the symptoms, such as thyroid disorders, hearing or sight problems.
It's also worth noting that some patients may be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. However, it's essential to seek medical advice prior eliminating any food items, as this can result in nutritional deficiencies. It should only be done with the guidance of a doctor or dietician. Another option is counseling which can assist patients in learning to cope with their symptoms and build better relationships with their families. Counseling can also help spouses understand that the patient's behaviors are not necessarily indicative of a lack of love or willful wrongdoing.
Education
Both doctors and patients are susceptible to being misled by the diagnosis of ADHD. treatment of add in adults may coexist with ADHD and certain medications and medical conditions may also produce symptoms that resemble ADHD.
Many of these problems can be solved with treatment or lifestyle adjustments. A person with ADHD might benefit from adjusting diet or taking supplements to improve their eating habits, for example. Behavioral therapy will help him learn how to resist distractions, impulsiveness, and improve his concentration. A doctor might suggest cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, which can both help control emotions and increase concentration.
A complete history of symptoms is important, as is a physical examination. A doctor can also assess the patient for sleep apnea and hearing and thyroid problems, vision problems or lead poisoning as well as drug or alcohol abuse. These tests can help to determine the presence of an underlying disorder but also help reduce or eliminate the effects of other disorders that may contribute to ADHD-like behaviors.
The majority of stimulants are prescribed by doctors to treat ADHD. They include dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, Concerta and Adderall. Nonstimulant drugs might include clonidine or guanfacine, which are blood pressure medications that can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, but they may take longer to begin working and may cause side effects like constipation, heartburn and low sexual drive.
People suffering from ADHD frequently miss appointments, are late for work, and make irrational choices which can strain the patience of even the most forgiving family members and friends. Couples therapy or classes that improve communication skills can help patients build stable relationships.
Exercise, diet and stress reduction all can play a part in managing ADHD symptoms. Certain people with ADHD have reported that avoiding certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it is essential to consult with a physician prior to trying any of these therapies. Doing so without a doctor's guidance could lead to nutritional deficiencies and health issues.