ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants, like methylphenidate and amphetamine, are the first treatment most doctors recommend. They can help regulate levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants also may help alleviate symptoms, but they operate slower.
Psychotherapy, similar to cognitive behavioral therapy, helps adults improve their organizational and planning skills. Coaching and psychotherapy are able to improve social functioning.
Medicines
If you suffer from ADHD, you can benefit from medication to alleviate your symptoms. Some people might find that they get better by changing their diet or taking supplements, but these should only be utilized under the supervision of a doctor. Other options include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy (CBT), and counseling for families. Many adults suffering from ADHD struggle to stick to their medication. They should speak to their doctor and seek assistance. Certain medications are available over the counter and others require prescriptions.
Most ADHD medications are based on increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. This decreases impulsivity and increases concentration. The most commonly used medications are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate and others. Although they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD but they can also trigger adverse consequences. Some of these adverse effects can be serious, for instance, cardiovascular problems. The stimulant medication can also trigger the tics of blinking eyes or throat clearing. These medications can also delay growth by a few months in teenagers and children.
Nonstimulant drugs are prescribed to patients who experience intolerable side-effects from stimulants, or who are at risk of developing heart disease. These medications are primarily dopamine reuptake inhibitors and norepinephrine or alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. These medications are not as effective as stimulants but are safe and do not contain the potential for abuse that many people have with stimulant drugs.
You can try to reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a structured schedule, creating and adhering to a budget, developing organizational skills, learning more about your disorder, and developing strategies to manage your symptoms. Consult a professional regarding the best ways to manage your ADHD. adhd adults treatment will also find numerous helpful resources on the website of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your ADHD symptoms can strain your relationships. Talking to a therapist about how you interact with your spouse or co-workers and attending classes that teach conflict resolution can help. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how ADHD affects you and recognizing that some of your actions are not intended to be mean-spirited.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have significant emotional, social and occupational consequences for occupational, emotional and social. This includes lower academic performance, more frequent failure to get a job and transfer, poor work performance as well as more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population (Spencer and colleagues 2007). The comorbidity of anxiety, depression and substance abuse are common among adults with ADHD. People with comorbid conditions might be more difficult to respond to stimulant medication (Barkley & Gordon, 2002).
A thorough patient history is vital, as many medical conditions can have symptoms similar to symptoms of ADHD. Patients with developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning should be more carefully evaluated. The use of stimulants is not recommended for patients who are addicted to drugs or those suffering from certain medical conditions, like heart disease, high blood pressure, tachycardia and arrhythmias (Greenhill 2001).).
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of educating patients about their disorder as well as its effects on different aspects of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can help patients boost their self-esteem, especially those who are often stigmatized as being lazy or less intelligent.
The purpose of behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD, is to improve their abilities to manage their time and teach them how to manage their time. This will reduce the likelihood of missing appointments or making impulsive choices that can cause issues at work, school or in their private lives. This type of therapy may also improve a person's relationships with their spouse, children and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults with ADHD is geared towards helping individuals change their behaviors. This kind of therapy is extremely effective at improving the functioning of those suffering from ADHD, particularly when combined with psychoeducation for families and family therapy. Educating patients and their significant others about ADHD can help decrease the frequency of blaming one another for the issues caused by the patient's inability manage his or her behavior. Classes that train couples and families to communicate more effectively and to develop conflict resolution skills can also be helpful.
Counseling
A good treatment plan will address the signs of ADHD and their impact on work, school, and family. It will include both stimulant and nonstimulant medication as well as psychosocial therapy, notably cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT assists patients to alter their thinking about their behavior. It also teaches patients how to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with family and friends.
Stimulant drugs used to treat ADHD boost and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They've been around for a long time and there are many kinds of drugs, each with its distinct advantages and negative effects. The two most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. They are sold under many brands, including Ritalin and Adderall. Other medications that treat ADHD include atomoxetine, which works by increasing the amount of a chemical in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells, and viloxazine which is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are used to treat ADHD in adults, since they have a more gradual development than stimulants. They are also available to those who are unable to take stimulants due to other health issues or have severe adverse effects.
It is important to be aware that comorbid conditions can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore the severity and presence of other conditions should be considered when diagnosing ADHD. It's also important to rule out physical causes for the symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or hearing and vision problems.
Certain patients may be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by making dietary changes. However, it's important to seek medical advice before cutting out any food, as this can cause nutritional deficiencies. It should only be done with the help of a doctor or a dietician. Counseling can also help patients deal with their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their families. Counseling can also help spouses realize that the patient's behaviors are not necessarily indicative of a lack of affection or willful infractions.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a bit confusing for both doctors and patients. Other mental disorders can coexist with ADHD and certain medications and medical conditions may cause symptoms that resemble ADHD.
Many of these problems can be solved with treatments or lifestyle modifications. For instance, a person suffering from ADHD could benefit from changing their diet or taking supplements to improve their eating habits, for instance. Behavioral therapy can help the person to be more resistant to the temptations and impulsiveness that can distract him, improve his concentration and self-control. A doctor might suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness meditation practice, both of which can help manage emotions and increase focus.
A thorough history of symptoms is essential as is a physical examination. A doctor can also assess a patient for sleep apnea, hearing and thyroid problems, vision problems or lead poisoning as well as drug or alcohol abuse. In addition to determining if there is a possibility of a root cause, these evaluations can assist in determining or limit the effects of other conditions that could cause an individual's ADHD-like behavior.
If a doctor prescribes medication for ADHD The most popular medications are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts like methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant medications include clonidine and Guanfacine. These blood pressure medications can help with an impulsive and hyperactivity problem, but can take longer to work and have negative side effects, such as constipation, heartburn, and a lack of sex.
ADHD patients are often unable to remember appointments, arrive late to work and make irrational choices that can cause stress to even the most patient of family and friends members. Couples therapy or classes that help improve communication skills can help people develop stable relationships.
Diet, exercise and stress reduction all play a part in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with the condition have found that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements aids them, but it's important to consult a physician before attempting these treatments. If you decide to do this without consulting a doctor this could lead to nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.