ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. They can help regulate the levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Antidepressants, as well as Atomoxetine (Strattera), can also reduce symptoms but work more slowly.
Psychotherapy, similar to cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults develop their planning and organization skills. Coaching and psychotherapy are also effective in improving social functioning.
Medicines
If you have ADHD, you can benefit from medication to treat your symptoms. Some people find they are more comfortable after changing their diet or taking supplements. However they should only be used under the guidance of a doctor. Other treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy (CBT), and family counseling. Some adults with ADHD have difficulty staying on medication However, they should talk to their doctor and seek help. Certain medications are available over the counter and some require a prescription.
Most ADHD medications work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. This decreases impulsivity and increases concentration. The most popular medications are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. Although they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD but they can also trigger negative side negative effects. Cardiovascular problems are some of the most serious adverse effects. In addition, stimulants can cause the appearance of tics, like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also delay growth by a few months for teenagers and children.
Nonstimulant medications can be prescribed to people who suffer from intolerable side effects from stimulants or are at risk of developing heart problems. These medications are mostly dopamine reuptake inhibitors, norepinephrine or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants however they are safe and don't offer the risk of abuse that many people have when taking stimulant medication.
You can decrease your ADHD symptoms by following an established schedule, making and adhering to the strict guidelines of a budget, enhancing your organization skills, understanding about your disorder and creating strategies to manage your symptoms. Talk to a doctor about the best strategies to manage your disorder. You will also find numerous useful resources on the website of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your relationships may be strained due to your ADHD symptoms. You can improve your relationships by speaking to a therapist and taking classes on conflict resolution. You can improve your relationships with your family members or friends by helping them understand your ADHD and making them aware that your behavior isn't intentional.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have significant social, emotional, and occupational consequences. These include lower academic achievements as well as higher rates of job failure and transfer and poor work performance. Additionally, there are more car accidents, and higher divorce rates than the general population. Comorbidity between depression, anxiety and addiction to drugs is common among adults with ADHD. Patients with comorbid disorders could have more difficulty responding to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
A thorough patient history is vital, as many medical conditions can have symptoms similar to those of ADHD. Patients suffering from seizures, developmental disorders, sleep apnea thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning should be cautiously assessed. Treatment with stimulants is not recommended in those who abuse drugs or with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease and high blood pressure arrhythmias and tachycardia (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy is a form of therapy that includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of teaching patients about their disorder and its impact on different aspects of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can also improve self-esteem in patients who often are stigmatized, for example, being judged as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to help patients learn better ways to manage their time and activities, improving their organizational skills. This can reduce the chances of missing appointments or making decisions that are impulsive and could result in 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 colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for adults suffering from ADHD is focused on helping individuals to change their negative patterns of behavior. This type of therapy is extremely effective at improving the functioning of people suffering from ADHD especially when it is combined with psychoeducation for families and family therapy. By educating patients and loved family members about ADHD, it can reduce the frequency at which they blame each other for the difficulties caused by the inability of a patient to control their behavior. Classes that teach couples and families to communicate more effectively and to develop techniques for conflict resolution can be beneficial.
Counseling
A well-designed treatment plan will address the signs of ADHD and their effects on work, school, and family. It includes non-stimulant and stimulant medication as along with psychosocial treatment, including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients to change their mental outlook on their behavior. It also teaches them skills to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with family and friends.
The stimulant medications used to treat ADHD increase and regulate levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They've been around for a long time and there are a variety of kinds of drugs, each with its distinct advantages and negative effects. The two most frequently prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate as well as dextroamphetamine, which are available under a variety of brands, including Ritalin and Adderall. Other drugs used to treat ADHD include atomoxetine, which helps by increasing the amount of a chemical in the brain that passes messages between brain cells, and viloxazine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are used to treat ADHD in adults, since they have a slower onset than stimulants. They also are available to those who are unable to take stimulants due to other health issues or have serious adverse effects.
It is important to remember that co-occurring disorders can cause symptoms of ADHD, so the severity and frequency of any other conditions should be considered when making an ADHD diagnosis. It is essential to determine the cause of the symptoms, such as thyroid disorders, hearing or sight problems.
It's also worth noting that some patients may be able to lessen their ADHD symptoms by altering their diet. However, it's important to seek medical advice prior eliminating any food items, as this can lead to nutritional deficiencies and should only be done with the assistance of a doctor or dietician. Another option is counseling which helps patients cope with their symptoms and build stronger relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses understand that the patient's behavior not necessarily a sign they are unloving or malicious.
treatment for adults with add and doctors can be confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. Other mental disorders can coexist with ADHD and certain medical conditions and medications may also produce symptoms that resemble ADHD.
Treatment or lifestyle changes can resolve many of these issues. Someone suffering from ADHD might benefit by taking supplements or altering their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy can teach him how to manage distractions, impulsiveness and increase the focus of his mind. A doctor may suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness meditation practice both of which can help manage emotions and improve attention.
A thorough history of symptoms and a physical examination are essential. A doctor can also assess patients for sleep apnea and hearing and thyroid problems, vision problems as well as lead poisoning, drug or alcohol abuse. These evaluations can help to determine the presence of an underlying disorder but also help reduce or eliminate the effects of other disorders that can contribute to the ADHD-like behavior.
The majority of stimulants are prescribed by doctors to treat ADHD. They include methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine Concerta and Adderall. Nonstimulant drugs include clonidine and guanfacine. These blood pressure medicines can help with the impulsivity and hyperactivity, but they may take longer to work and may cause negative side effects, such as constipation, heartburn and low sexual desire.
ADHD patients are often unable to remember appointments, arrive late to work and make irrational choices that can strain even the most patient of family and friends members. Couples therapy and classes focusing on improving communication skills can help patients establish stable relationships.
Exercise, diet and stress reduction can all play a role in reducing ADHD symptoms. Certain people with ADHD have reported that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it's important to consult a doctor prior to attempting any of these methods. If you do this without a doctor's direction could result in nutritional deficiencies and health issues.