ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine. They aid in balancing the levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants can alleviate symptoms, but they operate more slowly.
Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy can help adults acquire skills to improve organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy are able to improve social functioning.
Medicines
If you suffer from ADHD and are suffering from it, you could benefit from taking medication to treat your symptoms. Some people discover that they improve by changing their diet or taking supplements, however these should only be used under the supervision of a doctor. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or family counseling are all viable solutions. Some adults with ADHD struggle to adhere to their medication. They should consult their doctor and request assistance. Some medications can be purchased over the counter, while others require prescriptions.
The majority of ADHD medications help by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. This reduces impulsivity and improves concentration. The most popular medications are stimulants, like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. Although they are considered the most effective treatment for ADHD however, they can also cause side consequences. Some of these side effects can be severe, like heart problems. Stimulant medication may also cause the appearance of tics, like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also delay growth by a few months in teenagers and children.
Nonstimulant medications can be prescribed for people who have intolerable side effects from stimulants or are at risk of developing heart problems. These are typically norepinephrine, dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. These aren't as effective as stimulants, but they are safe and don't carry the potential for abuse as certain people experience with stimulant medications.
You can decrease your ADHD symptoms by adhering to an established schedule, making and sticking to an exact budget, enhancing your organization skills, gaining knowledge about your condition and implementing strategies to address your symptoms. Consult a professional regarding the best ways to manage your ADHD. You can also find a wealth of useful resources on the site of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your ADHD symptoms can cause stress in your relationships. You can improve your relationships by talking to a therapist or taking conflict resolution classes. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how ADHD affects you, and also recognizing that some of your behavior are not intentionally mean-spirited.
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. Additionally, there are more car accidents, and higher divorce rates than the general population. treatment of add who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be suffering from depression, anxiety or abuse of substances. People with comorbid conditions might be less responsive to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
A detailed patient history is essential, since many medical conditions can have symptoms similar to those of ADHD. Patients with seizures, developmental disorders sleep apnea, and thyroid disorders need to be evaluated more carefully. Patients who abuse substances or those suffering from certain medical conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure are not recommended from receiving stimulant therapy (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation involves teaching patients about their disorder and its impact on different aspects of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can help patients boost their self-esteem, particularly those who are frequently viewed as lazy or less intelligent.
The aim of a behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is to enhance their abilities to manage their time and teach them how to organize their time. This can reduce the chances 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 also improve the effectiveness of a person's interactions with children, spouses and co-workers.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is focused on helping individuals modify their behavior patterns that are negative. This kind of therapy is very efficient in improving the performance of those suffering from ADHD particularly when it is paired with psychoeducation for families and family therapy. Through educating patients and their loved ones about ADHD it will reduce the amount of time they blame each other for the difficulties caused by the inability of a patient to control their behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to communicate more effectively and resolve conflicts can help.
Counseling
A good treatment plan for ADHD will focus on the symptoms and their effects on work, family, and school. It will include stimulant and nonstimulant medications as in addition to psychosocial treatment, notably cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT assists patients in changing their thinking about their behavior. It also helps patients learn to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
Stimulant medications used to treat ADHD boost and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. There are a variety of stimulant medications, each with their own benefits and adverse effects. The two most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate as well as dextroamphetamine, which are available under a variety of brand names, including Ritalin and Adderall. 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 commonly used to treat ADHD in adults due to the fact that they have a slower onset than stimulants. These medications are also available to those who are unable to take stimulants due to health issues or 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 medical condition should be considered when determining the ADHD diagnosis. It's important to rule out physical causes of the symptoms, including thyroid disorders or hearing and sight problems.
Certain patients may be able reduce their ADHD symptoms through diet changes. But it's crucial to seek medical advice before cutting out any foods, as this can cause nutritional deficiencies. It should only be done with the guidance of a physician or dietician. Counseling can help patients manage their symptoms, and also improve their relationships with their families. Counseling can also help spouses realize that the patient's actions are not necessarily indicative of a lack of affection or willful wrongdoing.
Education
Both patients and doctors can be confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. It's not uncommon for different mental health disorders to coexist with the disorder. Additionally, certain medications and medical conditions may cause symptoms similar to the symptoms of ADHD.
Treatment or lifestyle changes can help with many of these issues. A person suffering from ADHD might benefit from taking supplements or adjusting their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy could help the person to be more resistant to distractions and impulsiveness, improve his focus and develop self-control. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness meditation practice that can help manage emotions and increase attention.
A thorough history of symptoms is crucial as is a physical examination. A physician can also test for sleep apnea as well as other conditions such as issues with vision and hearing, thyroid disorders, drug or alcohol abuse as well as lead poisoning. In addition to determining the presence of an underlying cause these evaluations can help identify or limit the effects of other disorders that could contribute to a patient's ADHD-like behavior.
The majority of stimulants are prescribed by doctors for ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine Concerta and Adderall. Nonstimulant drugs include clonidine and guanfacine. These blood pressure medications can aid in reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity, but might take longer to effect and can cause negative side effects, such as constipation, heartburn, and low sex desire.
ADHD patients tend to forget appointments, arrive late for work and make irrational choices that can strain even the most patient of family and friends members. Couples therapy or classes to improve communication skills can help sufferers establish stable relationships.
Diet, exercise, and stress reduction all can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have found that removing certain foods or taking supplements helps them, but it's important to talk to a doctor before trying these methods. If you decide to do this without consulting with a physician it could result in nutritional deficiency and other health issues.