ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. They aid in balancing the levels of two chemical messengers inside the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants help to alleviate symptoms, but they do so more slowly.
Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults learn skills to improve organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy are able to improve social functioning.
Medications
If you suffer from ADHD and are suffering from it, you could benefit from medication to treat the symptoms. Some people feel better after altering their diets or taking supplements. However, these should only ever be used under the guidance of a medical professional. Other treatments can include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy (CBT) and counseling for families. Certain adults with ADHD are unable to stay on medication however, they should speak to their doctors and ask for assistance. Certain medications are available over-the-counter while others need prescription.
Most ADHD medications work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. This decreases impulsivity and improves concentration. The most well-known medications are stimulants, like methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. These are considered to be the most effective in ADHD treatment, however they can cause side effects. Cardiovascular issues are among the more serious adverse effects. Stimulant medication may also cause symptoms like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth in children and adolescents by just a few months.
Nonstimulant medicines are prescribed for people who have intolerable side effects from stimulants or are at risk of heart problems. These medications are primarily dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. These medications are not as effective as stimulants, but are safe and do not contain the potential for abuse that many people have with stimulant medications.
You can try to reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a planned schedule, creating and adhering to a budget, developing organizational skills, learning more about your disorder and implementing strategies to deal with your symptoms. Talk to a doctor about the best ways to manage your ADHD. You can also find many useful resources on the website of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your relationships could be strained because of your ADHD symptoms. You can improve your relationships by talking to a therapist or taking conflict resolution classes. 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 result in profound emotional, social and occupational consequences. These include lower academic success, more frequent failure to get a job and transfer, poor performance at work as well as more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population (Spencer and colleagues 2007). Adults with ADHD are more likely to be suffering from anxiety, depression or addiction to drugs. Patients with multiple conditions may have a harder time responding to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
A thorough history of the patient is essential, since many medical conditions may have symptoms similar to those of ADHD. Patients suffering from seizures, developmental disorders, sleep apnea, thyroid disorders and lead poisoning must be careful to be evaluated. Patients with active substance abuse, or those with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease and high blood pressure are not recommended from receiving stimulant treatment (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of informing patients about their condition and the effects it has on their lives. Psychoeducation can also aid in improving self-esteem for patients who frequently suffer from stigmas, such as being viewed as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
The goal of the therapy for adults who suffer from ADHD is to improve their abilities to manage their time and teach them better ways to manage their time. This can reduce the chances of missing appointments or making impulsive choices that can result in problems at school, at work or with their personal lives. This type of therapy can also improve the effectiveness of an individual's interactions with children, spouses and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is focused on helping individuals to change their behavior patterns that are negative. treat adult add of therapy can be very effective in improving the functioning of people suffering from ADHD particularly when it is combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. By educating patients and their loved ones about ADHD, it can reduce the frequency at which they blame each other for the problems caused by a patient's inability control their behavior. Classes that teach couples and families to communicate more effectively and improve their conflict resolution skills can also be beneficial.
Counseling
A successful treatment strategy will address the symptoms of ADHD and their effects on school, work, and family. It includes non-stimulant and stimulant medication as along with psychosocial treatment, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT assists patients in changing their way of thinking about their behavior. It also teaches patients how to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with family and friends.
Stimulant medications used to treat ADHD boost and balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They have been around for a long time, and there are several different kinds of medications each with their own benefits and side effects. The two most commonly used stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine that are available under various brands, including Adderall and Ritalin. Other medications that 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, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine and viloxazine are often used to treat ADHD in adults due to the fact that they have a slower onset than stimulants. They are also available to people who can't take stimulants because of other health issues or suffer from serious adverse effects.
It's important to note that co-occurring disorders can cause symptoms of ADHD So the severity and frequency of any other medical condition must be considered when making an ADHD diagnosis. It is also essential to rule out any physical causes for the symptoms, like thyroid disorders or problems with hearing and vision.
Certain patients may be able to lessen their ADHD symptoms by making dietary changes. However, it's important to seek medical advice prior cutting out any food which could result in nutritional deficiencies. This should only be done with the assistance of a physician or dietician. Counseling can also assist patients manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with their family. Counseling can also help spouses understand that the patient's behaviors are not necessarily a sign of a lack of affection or willful wrongdoing.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a bit confusing for both the patient and the doctor. Other mental disorders may coexist with ADHD and certain medications and medical conditions may also produce symptoms that mimic ADHD.
Many of these problems can be addressed with treatment or lifestyle changes. A person suffering from ADHD might benefit from taking supplements or adjusting their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy can teach the person to be more resistant to distractions and impulsiveness, improve his concentration and self-control. A doctor might suggest cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, both of which can aid in regulating emotions and increase concentration.
A thorough history of symptoms and a physical examination are important. A physician can also check 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 existence of a root cause, these evaluations can help identify or lessen the effects of other disorders that could cause an individual's ADHD-like behavior.
When a doctor recommends medication for ADHD The most popular ones are stimulants, like dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, including methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Other non-stimulant drugs could include clonidine or guanfacine, which are blood pressure medicines that can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, but they might take longer to begin working and may cause adverse effects such as constipation, heartburn and low sexual drive.
ADHD patients tend to forget appointments, show up late for work and make uninformed choices which can stress even the most patient of friends and family members. Couples therapy and classes that concentrate on improving communication skills can help patients develop stable relationships.
Exercise, diet and stress reduction can all aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Certain people suffering from the condition have discovered that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements aids them, but it's crucial to consult a physician before trying these methods. If you try this without consulting a doctor this could lead to nutritional deficiency and other health issues.