ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants, like methylphenidate and amphetamine, are the first treatment most doctors recommend. They aid in balancing the levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants can alleviate symptoms, but they do so slower.
Psychotherapy, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults to improve their planning and organization skills. Coaching and psychotherapy are also able to improve social functioning.
Medicines
If you have ADHD, you can benefit from medication to alleviate your symptoms. Some people may find that they get better by altering their diet or taking supplements, but these should only be used under the guidance of a physician. Other treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy (CBT), and family counseling. Some adults with ADHD have difficulty staying on medication, but they should talk with their doctors and ask for assistance. Some medications can be purchased on the internet, while others require prescription.
The majority of the medications prescribed for ADHD are effective in increasing the levels of dopamine inside your brain, which decreases impulsivity and improves concentration. The most popular drugs are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. These are considered to be the most effective ADHD treatment, however they can cause side effects. Cardiovascular problems are some of the most serious side effects. Stimulant medication may also cause tics, such as eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth in children and adolescents by just a few months.
Nonstimulant drugs are often prescribed to people who suffer from uncontrollable adverse effects from stimulants or are at risk of heart problems. These medications are primarily norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants but are safe and do not contain the potential for abuse that some people experience with stimulant drugs.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a planned schedule, making and sticking to a budget, enhancing organizational skills, learning more about your condition, and developing strategies for dealing with your symptoms. It is important to speak with an expert to find out the best approach to managing your condition. You can find many useful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your relationships may be strained by your ADHD symptoms. You can improve your relationships by talking to a therapist or taking classes on conflict resolution. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how ADHD affects you and understanding that some of your actions are not intentionally mean-spirited.
Therapy
ADHD as an adult can have profound emotional, social and occupational effects. This includes lower academic performance as well as 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 co. 2007). Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to be suffering from anxiety, depression or addiction to drugs. Patients with comorbid disorders could be more difficult to respond to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
A thorough history of the patient is vital, as many medical conditions can have symptoms similar to those of ADHD. Patients with developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea thyroid disorders and lead poisoning should be cautiously assessed. Treatment with stimulants is not recommended in patients with active substance abuse or in those with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, tachycardia and arrhythmias (Greenhill 2001).).
Psychosocial therapy encompasses psychoeducation and behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of educating 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, particularly those who are frequently viewed as being inept or unintelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults with 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 decrease the chance of missing appointments or making decisions impulsively that can cause difficulties at work, school or in their private lives. This type of therapy may also improve a person's relationships with their family, friends, spouse and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is geared towards helping people change their negative behaviors. This kind of therapy is extremely efficient in improving the functioning of people suffering from ADHD, particularly when combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. Through educating patients and their loved ones about ADHD, it can reduce the amount of time they blame each other for the problems caused by a person's inability to control their behavior. Classes that teach couples and families to communicate more effectively and to develop strategies for resolving conflicts can help.
Counseling
A well-planned treatment plan for ADHD will tackle the symptoms and their impacts on the family, work and school. It will include non-stimulant and stimulant medication, as along with psychosocial treatment, including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). adult add treatment helps patients change their thinking about their behavior. It also helps patients learn to manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with family and friends.
The stimulant medications used to treat ADHD boost and balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. There are a variety of stimulant medications, each with their own benefits and side-effects. The two most frequently prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate as well as dextroamphetamine. They are sold under many brands, including Ritalin and Adderall. Other drugs used to treat ADHD are 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 commonly used to treat ADHD in adults since they have a slower onset than stimulants. These medications are also available to people who cannot take stimulants due to other health conditions or severe adverse effects.
It is important to remember that comorbid conditions can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore the severity and presence of other conditions should be considered when diagnosing ADHD. It is essential to eliminate physical causes of the symptoms, including thyroid disorders, hearing and sight problems.
Some patients may also be able reduce their ADHD symptoms through diet changes. It is essential to consult with a doctor prior to eliminating any food. This could lead to nutritional deficiencies, and should only be done under the supervision of a dietician or doctor. Another option is counseling, which helps patients manage their symptoms and develop stronger relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses realize that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign that they are unloving or malicious.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a bit confusing for both the patient and the doctor. It is not uncommon for other mental health disorders to coexist the disorder, and some medications and medical conditions may also produce symptoms that mimic those of ADHD.
Many of these problems can be resolved by treatments or lifestyle modifications. Someone suffering from ADHD could benefit from taking supplements or adjusting their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy could help him to resist the temptations and impulsiveness that can distract him, improve his concentration and self-control. A doctor may suggest cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, both of which can aid in controlling emotions and improve concentration.
A thorough medical history and a physical examination are essential. A physician can also check for sleep apnea, as well as other conditions such as hearing and vision issues, thyroid disorders, drug or alcohol abuse and lead poisoning. These assessments can help to determine the presence of an underlying disorder, but also help reduce or eliminate the effects of other disorders that could contribute to ADHD-like behaviors.
If a doctor prescribes medication for ADHD, the most common ones are stimulants like dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant medications include clonidine and Guanfacine. These blood pressure medicines can reduce an impulsive and hyperactivity problem, but might take longer to effect and can cause side effects such as heartburn, constipation, and a lack of sex.
People with ADHD frequently have trouble keeping appointments and are often late to work, and make irrational choices that strain the patience of even the most forgiving friends and relatives. Couples therapy and classes that focus on improving communication skills can help people develop stable relationships.
Exercise, diet, and stress reduction can all play a part in managing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have discovered that avoiding certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it's essential to consult with a physician prior to trying any of these methods. If you try this without consulting a doctor it could result in nutritional deficiency and other health issues.