ADHD Treatments For Adults
The majority of doctors recommend stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate. They can help regulate levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Antidepressants, as well as Atomoxetine (Strattera), can also help alleviate symptoms, but they work slower.
Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults to improve their planning and organization skills. Coaching and psychotherapy can also enhance social functioning.
Medications
If you have ADHD and are suffering from it, you could benefit from medications to treat the symptoms. Some people feel better after altering their diets or taking supplements. However, these should only ever be used under the guidance of a medical professional. Other treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and family counseling. Many adults suffering from ADHD struggle to stay on their medication. They should speak to their doctor and request assistance. Certain medications are available over the counter and some require prescriptions.
The majority of the medications prescribed for ADHD are effective in increasing the levels of dopamine within your brain, which decreases the impulsivity and increases concentration. Some of the most popular medications are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. While they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD however, they can also cause side consequences. Some of these side effects could be serious, for instance, heart problems. The stimulant medication can also trigger the tics of blinking eyes or throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth by a few month in teenagers and children.
Nonstimulant medicines are prescribed to those who suffer from insufferable side-effects of stimulants, or those at risk of heart disease. These are mostly dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. They're not as effective as stimulants, however they are safe and don't carry the potential for abuse that some people are prone to with stimulant medications.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms by adhering to a schedule, creating and sticking to an exact budget, enhancing your organization skills, understanding about your condition and implementing strategies to address your symptoms. It is recommended to talk with an expert to learn the best way to manage your condition. You can find many useful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your ADHD symptoms can strain your relationships. You can improve your relationships by speaking with an therapist and attending classes on conflict resolution. You can improve your relationships with your spouse or co-workers by letting them know about your ADHD and making them aware that your behavior isn't intentional.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have significant emotional, social, and occupational consequences. These include lower academic achievements, higher rates for transfer and job failure, as well as poor work performance. There are also more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population. Comorbidity between depression, anxiety and addiction to substances is common among adults with ADHD. People with comorbid conditions might be more difficult to respond to stimulant medication (Barkley & Gordon, 2002).
A thorough history of the patient is crucial, as a variety of medical conditions can manifest similar to symptoms of ADHD. Patients with seizures, developmental disorders, sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning must be cautiously assessed. Patients who are active in their addiction to substances or with certain medical conditions, such as 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 disorder and the effects it has on their lives. Psychoeducation can also help improve self-esteem among patients who typically face stigma, such as being judged as inept or unintelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to teach patients better ways to manage their time and work, improving their ability to organize their lives. This will decrease the chance of missing appointments or making decisions impulsively that could cause difficulties at work, school or in their personal lives. This kind of therapy can help improve relationships with their spouse, children and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is focused on helping people to change their behavior patterns that are harmful to them. This kind of therapy is very efficient in improving the performance of those suffering from ADHD especially when it is combined with family therapy and psychoeducation. Informing patients and loved ones about ADHD can help reduce the tendency to blame one another for problems caused by the person's inability to control their own behaviors. Classes that teach families and couples how to communicate more effectively and resolve conflicts could help.
Counseling
A good treatment plan for ADHD will address the symptoms and their effects on work, family, and school. It includes non-stimulant and stimulant medication, as along with psychosocial treatment, notably cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT assists patients to alter their way of thinking about their behavior. It also helps patients learn to manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
Stimulant medications are used to treat ADHD. They balance and boost levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. There are a variety of stimulant medications, all with their own benefits and negative side effects. The two most popular stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate, which are sold under many different names, such as Adderall and Ritalin. Viloxazine 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 used to treat ADHD in adults, since they have a more gradual start than stimulants. They are also available to those who are unable to take stimulants due to other health issues or suffer from severe adverse effects.
It is important to remember that multiple disorders can resemble the symptoms of ADHD So the severity and frequency of any other conditions should be taken into consideration when determining the ADHD diagnosis. It is also essential to rule out physical reasons for the symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or vision and hearing issues.
It's also important to note that some patients may be able to lessen their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. However, it's important to seek medical advice before cutting out any food which could result in nutritional deficiencies. It should only be done with the guidance of a doctor or dietician. Counseling can also assist patients cope with their symptoms, and also improve their relationships with their families. Counseling can also help spouses realize that the patient's behaviors are not necessarily a sign of a lack of affection or willful infractions.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a bit confusing for both patients and doctors. It's not uncommon for other mental health conditions to coexist with the disorder, and some medications and medical conditions may cause symptoms similar to the symptoms of ADHD.
Many of these problems can be addressed with treatments or lifestyle modifications. Someone suffering from ADHD could benefit from taking supplements or adjusting their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy will teach him how to resist distractions, impulsiveness, and improve the focus of his mind. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, which can both aid in controlling emotions and improve concentration.
A thorough medical history and a physical exam are essential. treatment of add can also assess the patient for sleep apnea, hearing and thyroid problems, vision problems or lead poisoning as well as alcohol or drug abuse. In addition to determining the presence of an underlying cause these tests can help identify or lessen the effects of other disorders that could cause a patient's ADHD-like behavior.
When a doctor recommends medication for ADHD, the most common ones are stimulants like dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant drugs include clonidine and guanfacine. These blood pressure medicines can aid in reducing an impulsive and hyperactivity problem, but may take longer to work and have side effects such as constipation, heartburn and low sexual desire.
ADHD patients tend to forget appointments, show up late for work, and make irrational decisions that can cause stress to even the most patient family and friends members. Couples therapy and classes that focus on improving communication skills can help sufferers establish stable relationships.
Exercise, diet, and stress reduction all can play a part in managing ADHD symptoms. Some people with the condition have found that removing certain foods or taking supplements can help them, however it's vital to talk to a doctor before attempting these treatments. If you decide to do this without consulting a doctor this could lead to nutritional deficiency and other health issues.