ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine, are the first treatment most doctors recommend. They can help regulate the levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Antidepressants, as well as Atomoxetine (Strattera), can also help alleviate symptoms, but they work slower.
Psychotherapy, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults to improve their organizational and planning skills. Coaching and psychotherapy can also enhance social functioning.
Medications
If you suffer from ADHD, you can benefit from taking medication to treat your symptoms. Some people might find that they get better by altering their diet or taking supplements, however they should only be taken under a doctor's guidance. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or family counseling are all possible treatment options. Some people with ADHD are unable to stay on medication, but they should talk with their doctors and ask for help. Some medications can be purchased on the internet, while others require prescriptions.
Most ADHD medications work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. This reduces impulsivity, and improves concentration. Some of the most popular medications are stimulants, like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. These are considered to be the most effective ADHD treatment, however they can have adverse effects. Heart problems are among the most serious side effects. Stimulant medication may also cause tics, such as eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth by a few months in teenagers and children.
Nonstimulant drugs are prescribed to those who suffer from uncontrollable side effects from stimulants, or who are at risk of heart disease. These are typically dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. These aren't as effective as stimulants, however they are safe and don't carry the potential for abuse as certain people experience with stimulant drugs.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms by following an established schedule, making and sticking to an exact budget, enhancing your organizational skills, learning about your condition and implementing strategies to address your symptoms. Talk to a professional about the best ways to manage your ADHD. You will also find numerous useful resources on the site of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your relationships could be strained by your ADHD symptoms. Talking with 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 your ADHD affects you and recognizing that some of your actions are not a deliberate act of aggression.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have significant emotional, social, and occupational repercussions. This includes lower academic performance and more frequent failure to get a job and transfer, poor work performance as well as more car accidents and higher rates of divorce than the general population (Spencer and co. 2007). The comorbidity of anxiety, depression and addiction to substances is common among adults with ADHD. People with comorbid conditions might be more difficult to respond to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon, 2002).
A thorough history of the patient is essential, since many medical conditions can have symptoms similar to symptoms of ADHD. Patients suffering from developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning should be more careful to be evaluated. Stimulant treatment is contraindicated in those who abuse drugs or those suffering from certain medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure, arrhythmias and tachycardia (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation involves teaching patients about their condition as well as its effects on various aspects of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can help patients boost their self-esteem, especially those who are often viewed as being inept or unintelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to help patients learn better ways of organizing their time and activities as well as improving their skills in organizing. 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 type of therapy can aid in improving the effectiveness of one's interactions with spouses, children and coworkers.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults who suffer from ADHD is aimed at helping people change their negative behavior patterns. This type of therapy can be very effective in improving the functioning of those with ADHD especially when it is combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. By educating patients and their loved family members about ADHD it will reduce the frequency at which they blame each other for the difficulties caused by a patient's inability control his or her behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to communicate better and resolve conflicts could help.
Counseling
A successful treatment plan will address the signs of ADHD and their effects on school, work, and family. It will include stimulant and nonstimulant medications and psychosocial therapy, notably cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT assists patients to alter 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 drugs are used to treat ADHD. They help to regulate and boost levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They've been around for a long time, and there are many types of medications each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The two most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. These are sold under various brand names, including Ritalin and Adderall. Other medications that treat ADHD are atomoxetine. It helps by increasing the amount of a chemical that is present in the brain that passes 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 onset than stimulants. They are also available for those who aren't able to use stimulants due to other health problems or who have severe side effects.
It's important to recognize that co-occurring disorders can cause symptoms of ADHD, so the severity and presence of any other conditions should be taken into consideration when determining an ADHD diagnosis. It's also important to rule out any physical causes for the symptoms, like thyroid disorders or vision and hearing issues.
Some patients may also be able to lessen their ADHD symptoms by making dietary changes. But it's crucial to seek medical advice prior to cutting out any foods that could cause nutritional deficiencies. This should only be done with the help of a doctor or a dietician. Another option is counseling, which helps patients manage their symptoms and build stronger relationships with their families. Counseling can also help spouses understand that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign of a lack of love or a deliberate act of misconduct.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a bit confusing for both patients and doctors. It is not uncommon for other mental health disorders to coexist with the disorder, and certain medications and medical conditions may cause symptoms that resemble those of ADHD.
Many of these issues can be resolved by treatments or lifestyle modifications. Someone suffering from ADHD might benefit from taking supplements or changing their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy will help him learn how to better resist distractions, impulsiveness and increase the focus of his mind. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, which can help control emotions and increase concentration.
A thorough history of symptoms and a physical exam are crucial. A physician can also evaluate a patient for sleep apnea, hearing and thyroid problems, vision issues as well as lead poisoning, drug or alcohol abuse. In treatment of add to determining the existence of a root cause, these evaluations can help identify or limit the effects of other conditions that could cause a patient's ADHD-like behavior.
If a doctor prescribes medication for ADHD, the most common medications are stimulants, like dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, including methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Other non-stimulant drugs include clonidine as well as guanfacine. These blood pressure medications can aid in reducing an impulsive and hyperactivity problem, but may take longer to work and have 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 friends and relatives. Couples therapy and classes focusing on improving communication skills can help people establish stable relationships.
Diet, exercise and stress reduction could all play a part in reducing ADHD symptoms. Certain people suffering from ADHD have reported that avoiding certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it is crucial to speak with a doctor prior to attempting any of these treatments. If you decide to do this without consulting a doctor, it could lead to nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.