ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants, like methylphenidate and amphetamine, are the first option that doctors recommend. They can help regulate the levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants may help alleviate symptoms, but they work slower.
Psychotherapy, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults develop their planning and organization abilities. Coaching and psychotherapy can enhance social functioning.
Medicines
You can take medications to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people feel better after altering their diets or taking supplements. However they should only be taken under the supervision of a physician. Other treatments can include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy (CBT), and counseling for families. Many adults suffering from ADHD struggle to stay on their medication. They should consult their doctor and ask for assistance. Certain medications are available over the counter, while others require the prescription of a doctor.
Most medications prescribed for ADHD work by increasing the levels of dopamine in your brain, which decreases impulsivity and enhances concentration. The most commonly used medications are stimulants such as dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate and others. They are believed to be the most effective for ADHD treatment, however they can cause side effects. Some of these side effects could be serious, such as heart problems. Stimulant medication may also cause symptoms like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also delay growth by a few month for teenagers and children.
Nonstimulant drugs are prescribed to those who suffer from uncontrollable side effects from stimulants, or those at risk of developing heart disease. These medications are primarily norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants however they are safe and don't have the abuse potential that certain people experience with stimulant medications.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms by following the prescribed schedule, creating and adhering to a strict budget, improving your organization skills, gaining knowledge about your condition and implementing strategies to deal with your symptoms. You should talk to an expert to learn the best method to manage your condition, and you can find many useful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
untreated adhd in adults can cause stress in your relationships. Talking to a therapist about how you interact with your coworkers or spouse and taking classes to learn conflict resolution can help. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how ADHD affects you and understanding that some of your behaviors are not intentionally mean-spirited.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood has significant occupational, emotional and social effects on occupational, emotional and social. This includes lower academic performance and more frequent failure to get a job and transfer, poor performance at work, 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 addiction to drugs. Those with comorbid disorders may have a harder time responding to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
A detailed patient history is vital, as many medical conditions can manifest similar to symptoms of ADHD. Patients with developmental disorders, seizure disorder, sleep apnea and thyroid disorders should be evaluated more closely. Patients with active substance abuse or with particular medical conditions like heart disease or high blood pressure are contraindicated from receiving stimulant treatments (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of informing patients about their condition and its impact on their lives. Psychoeducation can help patients boost their self-esteem, particularly those who are often viewed as inept or unintelligent.
The goal of behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD, is to improve their abilities to manage their time and teach them better ways to manage their time. This will reduce the chance of missing appointments and making decisions impulsively that could create problems at school, at work, or with their personal lives. This kind of therapy can also improve the effectiveness of one's interactions with their spouses, children and coworkers.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults with ADHD is aimed at helping people to change their negative behaviors. This type of therapy is very efficient in improving the functioning of people with ADHD, particularly when combined with family therapy and psychoeducation. By educating patients and loved ones about ADHD it can decrease the amount of time they blame each other for the issues caused by the inability of a patient to manage his or her behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to communicate more effectively and to develop strategies for resolving conflicts can be beneficial.
Counseling
A well-designed treatment plan will address the signs of ADHD and their effects on school, work, and the family. It will include stimulant and nonstimulant medication and psychosocial therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change the way they think about their behavior. It also helps patients learn how to manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with family and friends.
Stimulant medications are used to treat ADHD. They balance and boost levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They have been around for a long time, and there are many types of medications each with their own benefits and side effects. The two most commonly used stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate, which are sold under a variety of brands, including Adderall and Ritalin. Other medications that treat ADHD include atomoxetine, which helps by increasing the amount of a chemical in the brain that passes messages between brain cells, and viloxazine which is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Viloxazine and Atomoxetine are frequently used to treat ADHD in adults because they have a slower onset than stimulants. They are also available to those who aren't able to use stimulants due to other health problems or who have severe side effects.
It is important to be aware that comorbid conditions can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore, the presence and severity other conditions should be considered when diagnosing ADHD. It's important to eliminate physical causes of the symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or hearing and sight problems.
It's also important to note that some patients may be able to lessen their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. It is essential to consult a doctor before eliminating any foods. This could lead to nutritional deficiencies and should be done with the guidance of a dietician or doctor. Another option is counseling which helps patients cope with their symptoms and establish stronger relationships with their families. Counseling can also help spouses understand that the patient's actions are not necessarily indicative of lack of love or a deliberate act of infractions.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a bit confusing for both the patient and the doctor. Other mental disorders can coexist with ADHD and certain medical conditions and medications can also cause symptoms that mimic ADHD.
Many of these issues can be resolved by treatments or lifestyle adjustments. A person with ADHD may benefit by taking supplements or altering their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy will teach him how to resist distractions, impulsiveness and increase his focus. A doctor might suggest cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, which can both aid in controlling emotions and improve concentration.
A thorough history of the symptoms is crucial and so is a physical examination. A doctor can also look for sleep apnea and other disorders like hearing and vision issues thyroid disorders, alcohol or drug abuse, and lead poisoning. In addition to determining the presence of an underlying cause these tests can assist in determining or lessen the effects of other disorders that might cause a patient's ADHD-like behavior.
Most often, stimulants are prescribed by doctors for ADHD. They include dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, Concerta and Adderall. Nonstimulant drugs might include clonidine or guanfacine, which are blood pressure drugs that can help with impulsivity and hyperactivity, but they could take longer to kick in and might have adverse effects such as constipation, heartburn and low sexual drive.
People suffering from ADHD frequently miss appointments, are late for work and make irrational decisions that can be a challenge for even the most tolerant friends and relatives. Couples therapy and classes that focus on improving communication skills can help people build relationships that are stable.
Exercise, diet and stress reduction could all play a part in managing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have discovered that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements helps them, however it's vital to consult a physician before trying these methods. If you decide to do this without consulting with a physician, it could lead to nutritional deficiency and other health issues.