ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate. They help balance the levels of two chemical messengers inside the brain. Antidepressants, as well as Atomoxetine (Strattera) are also able to help alleviate symptoms, but they work slower.
Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy can help adults acquire techniques to improve organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy are also able to improve social functioning.
Medicines
If you have ADHD, you can benefit from medications to manage your symptoms. Some people feel better after changing their diets or taking supplements. However, these should only ever be taken under the supervision of a doctor. Other options include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as counseling for families. Certain adults with ADHD struggle to adhere to medication however, they should speak with their doctors and ask for help. Certain medications can be purchased over-the-counter while others need prescriptions.
Most drugs prescribed for ADHD work by increasing the levels of dopamine within your brain, which decreases impulsivity and improves focus. The most well-known medications are stimulants, like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. They are thought to be the most effective ADHD treatment, but they do have side effects. Some of these adverse effects can be serious, for instance, cardiovascular problems. In addition, stimulants can cause the appearance of tics, like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also delay growth by a few month for teenagers and children.
Nonstimulant medicines are prescribed to patients who experience intolerable side-effects from stimulants, or those at risk of developing heart disease. These medications are mostly norepinephrine, dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but are safe and do not offer the risk of abuse that many people have with stimulant medications.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a planned schedule, creating and adhering to a budget, developing your organizational skills, gaining knowledge about your disorder and devising strategies for dealing with your symptoms. It is important to speak with an expert to learn the best method to manage your disorder, and you can find a wealth of information on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your ADHD symptoms can strain your relationships. Talking to a therapist about how you interact with your family members or friends 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 also recognizing that some of your behaviors are not intended to be mean-spirited.
adhd treatment in adults as an adult can have profound emotional, social and occupational effects. This includes lower academic performance and higher rates of job loss and transfer, poor work performance, more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population (Spencer and colleagues 2007). Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression or substance abuse. People with comorbid disorders might be more difficult to respond to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
It is important to have a detailed medical history of the patient since a variety of medical conditions may manifest symptoms similar to ADHD. Patients suffering from seizures, developmental disorders, sleep apnea, thyroid disorders and lead poisoning should be carefully evaluated. Patients who abuse substances or those suffering from particular medical conditions like heart disease or high blood pressure are contraindicated from receiving stimulant treatment (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of informing patients about their disorder and the effects it has on their lives. Psychoeducation can also improve self-esteem for patients who frequently suffer from stigmas, such as being viewed as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
The goal of the therapy for adults who suffer from ADHD, is to improve their ability to organize their lives and help them learn better ways to manage 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 can aid in improving the effectiveness of a person's interactions with spouses, children and coworkers.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is focused on helping individuals change their behavior patterns that are negative. This kind of therapy is extremely efficient in improving the functioning of people suffering from ADHD particularly when it is paired with psychoeducation for families and family therapy. By educating patients and loved ones about ADHD it will reduce the frequency at which they blame each other for the issues caused by a person's inability to control his or her behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to communicate more effectively and resolve conflicts could be beneficial.
Counseling
A good treatment plan for ADHD will address the symptoms and their impact on family, work, and school. It should include stimulant and nonstimulant drugs and psychosocial therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients to change their thinking about their behavior. It also helps patients learn to manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
Stimulant medication is used to treat ADHD. They regulate and increase levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. There are a myriad of types of stimulant medications, each with their own benefits and side-effects. The two most popular stimulants are dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate, which are available under many different brand names such as Adderall and Ritalin. Viloxazine is a norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine enhances the amount of a brain chemical that transmits messages between brain cells. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are both used to treat ADHD among adults, as they have a more gradual start than stimulants. They are also available to those who are unable to use stimulants due to other health issues or have serious adverse effects.
It is crucial to keep in mind that comorbid conditions can cause ADHD symptoms. Therefore, the presence and severity other conditions should be considered when diagnosing ADHD. It is also essential to rule out any physical reasons for the symptoms, such as an underlying thyroid disorder or vision and hearing issues.
It's also important to note that some patients might be able reduce their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. But it's crucial to seek medical advice before eliminating any food items, as this can lead to nutritional deficiencies. It should only be done with the assistance of a doctor or dietician. Counseling can help patients manage their symptoms, and also improve their relationships with their family. Counseling can help spouses understand that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign that they are averse to love or malicious.
Education
Both patients and doctors are susceptible to being misled by the diagnosis of ADHD. It is not uncommon for other mental health disorders to coexist with the disorder. Additionally, certain medications and medical conditions can also produce symptoms that mimic the symptoms of ADHD.
Many of these problems can be solved with treatment or lifestyle changes. Someone suffering from ADHD might benefit from adjusting diet or taking supplements to improve his eating habits, for example. Behavioral therapy can teach the person to be more resistant to distractions and impulsiveness, increase his concentration and self-control. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or the practice of mindfulness meditation that can help manage emotions and increase attention.
A thorough history of symptoms and a physical examination are essential. A doctor can also assess a patient for sleep apnea, hearing or thyroid problems, vision problems or lead poisoning as well as alcohol or drug abuse. These tests can help to determine the presence of an underlying disorder but also decrease or eliminate the effects of other disorders which can contribute to the ADHD-like behavior.
If a doctor suggests medication for ADHD, the most common ones are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant medications include clonidine and Guanfacine. These blood pressure medicines can help with an impulsive and hyperactivity problem, but can take longer to work and may cause negative side effects, such as constipation, heartburn, and low sexual desire.
ADHD patients often forget appointments, arrive late to work and make irrational choices that can cause stress to even the most patient family and friends members. Couples therapy and classes that concentrate on improving communication skills can help patients establish stable relationships.
Diet, exercise, and stress reduction all can play a part in managing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have discovered that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements can help them, however it's vital to consult a physician before attempting these treatments. If you do this without a doctor's direction could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.