ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants, such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. They can help regulate the levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine (Strattera) can help alleviate symptoms, but they work slower.
Psychotherapy, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, helps adults to improve their planning and organization skills. Coaching and psychotherapy are able to improve social functioning.
Medications
If you suffer from ADHD you may benefit from medications to treat your symptoms. Some people find that they get better through a change in their diet or taking supplements, however these should only be used under a doctor's guidance. Other options include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy (CBT), and family counseling. Some adults with ADHD struggle to adhere to medication However, they should talk to their doctor and ask for help. Some medications are available over-the-counter and 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 popular drugs are stimulants, like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. Although they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD but they can also trigger side effects. Cardiovascular issues are among the most serious side effects. The stimulant medication can also trigger tics, such as eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth in adolescents and children by a few months.
Nonstimulant medicines are prescribed to those who suffer from adverse reactions to stimulants that are not tolerated or are at risk of developing heart problems. These medications include dopamine reuptake inhibitors, norepinephrine 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 drugs.
You can lessen your ADHD symptoms by adhering to the prescribed schedule, creating and adhering to the strict guidelines of a budget, enhancing your organization skills, gaining knowledge about your disorder and developing strategies to address your symptoms. Consult a professional regarding the best methods to manage your disorder. You 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 the way you interact with your coworkers or spouse and taking classes to learn conflict resolution can help. You can improve your relationships with your spouse or co-workers by helping them understand your ADHD and by telling them that your behavior isn't intentional.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have significant occupational, emotional and social consequences. These include lower academic achievements and higher rates of transfer and job failure, as well as poor performance at work. There are also more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population. Comorbidity between depression, anxiety and addiction to substances is prevalent among adults suffering from ADHD. Patients with multiple conditions may be less responsive to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
It is important to have an in-depth history of the patient, since a variety of medical conditions may present symptoms that are similar to ADHD. Patients with seizures, developmental disorders, sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning should be more carefully evaluated. Patients who abuse substances or those suffering from certain medical conditions such as heart disease or high blood pressure should refrain from receiving stimulant treatment (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy encompasses behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for adults with ADHD. Psychoeducation involves teaching patients about their condition, including its effects on different areas of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can help patients improve their self-esteem, especially those who are frequently viewed as inept or unintelligent.
The goal of the therapy for adults who suffer from ADHD is to enhance their ability to organize their lives and teach them better ways to organize their time. This will reduce the chance of missing appointments or making decisions impulsively that could create problems at school, at work or with their personal lives. This type of therapy may help improve relationships with their children, spouse and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is focused on helping people modify their negative patterns of behavior. This kind of therapy can be extremely effective in improving the functioning of those with ADHD particularly when it is combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. Educating patients and their loved ones about ADHD can reduce the frequency of blaming one another for the issues caused by the patient's inability to control their own behaviors. Classes that teach families and couples how to communicate more effectively and manage conflicts can help.
Counseling
A successful treatment plan will address the symptoms of ADHD and their impact on work, school, and family. It will include non-stimulant and stimulant medication as along with psychosocial treatment, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT assists patients in changing their way of thinking about their behavior. It also helps them develop skills to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with family and friends.
Stimulant medications used to treat ADHD increase and regulate levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They've been around for a long period of time, and there are a variety of types of medications each with their distinct advantages and negative effects. The two most commonly used stimulants are dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate and methylphenidate, which are sold under various brand names such as Adderall and Ritalin. Other drugs used to treat ADHD include atomoxetine, which is a stimulant that increases the amount of a substance in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells, and viloxazine which is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are both used to treat ADHD in adults, since they have a more gradual start than stimulants. They are also available for those who are unable to take stimulants due to other health problems or who experience serious side effects.
It's important to recognize that co-occurring disorders can cause symptoms of ADHD So the presence and severity of any other condition should be taken into consideration when making the ADHD diagnosis. It's also important to rule out physical causes of the symptoms, like a thyroid disorder or vision and hearing issues.
Certain patients may be able reduce their ADHD symptoms through diet changes. However, it's important to seek medical advice prior to eliminating any food items, as this can result in nutritional deficiencies. It should only be done with the guidance of a physician or dietician. Counseling can also assist patients manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their families. Counseling can also assist spouses in understanding that the patient's actions are not necessarily a sign of a lack of love or willful misconduct.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be confusing for both the patient and the doctor. Other mental disorders can coexist with ADHD, and certain medical conditions and medications may cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Lifestyle changes or treatment can help with many of these issues. A person with ADHD could benefit from changing their diet or taking supplements to improve their eating habits, for instance. Behavioral therapy can help him to resist distractions and impulsiveness, increase the focus of his mind and develop self-control. A doctor might suggest cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, which can both help control emotions and increase concentration.
A thorough medical history and a physical exam are crucial. A physician can also evaluate patients for sleep apnea, hearing or thyroid problems, vision problems as well as lead poisoning, drug or alcohol abuse. In addition to determining the existence of a root cause, these evaluations can assist in determining or limit the effects of other disorders that could contribute to a patient's ADHD-like behavior.
Most often, stimulants are prescribed by doctors to treat ADHD. They include dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, Concerta and Adderall. Nonstimulant medications include clonidine and guanfacine. These blood pressure medication can help with hyperactivity and impulsivity, but can take longer to work and can cause negative side effects, such as constipation, heartburn, and a lack of sex.
People with ADHD frequently have trouble keeping appointments or are late for work, and make irrational choices which can strain the patience of even the most tolerant family members and friends. how to treat adhd or classes to improve communication skills can help people develop solid relationships.
Diet, exercise and stress reduction can all play a part in managing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have discovered that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements aids them, but it's important to consult a physician before trying these methods. If you do this without consulting with a physician, it could lead to nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.
