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. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine, (Strattera), can also help alleviate symptoms, but they work slower.
Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults learn techniques to improve organization and planning. Psychotherapy and coaching are also effective in improving social functioning.
Medicines
You can take medications to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people find they feel better after altering their diet or taking supplements. However they should only be administered under the supervision of a physician. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), or family counseling are all possible treatments. Certain adults with ADHD struggle to adhere to medication, but they should talk to their doctors and seek help. Certain medications can be purchased over the counter, while others require prescriptions.
The majority of ADHD medications help by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. This decreases impulsivity and improves concentration. The most popular drugs are stimulants, like methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. While they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD however, they can also cause side consequences. Cardiovascular issues are among the more serious adverse effects. In addition, stimulants can cause antics, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth in adolescents and children by several months.
Nonstimulant medications can be prescribed to people who suffer from intolerable side effects from stimulants or are at risk of developing heart problems. These are typically dopamine reuptake inhibitors, norepinephrine or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. These medications are not as effective as stimulants however they are safe and don't contain the potential for abuse that many people have when taking stimulant medication.
You can attempt to lessen your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a well-planned schedule, making and sticking to a budget, improving the organization skills, learning more about your disorder and devising strategies to manage your symptoms. Talk to a doctor about the best methods to manage your ADHD. You will also find numerous useful resources on the site of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your ADHD symptoms can affect your relationships. You can improve your relationships by speaking to a therapist or taking classes in conflict resolution. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how ADHD affects you, and also recognizing that some of your actions are not a deliberate act of aggression.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have significant emotional, social and occupational effects on occupational, emotional and social. These include lower academic achievement and higher rates of job failure and transfer and poor work performance. There are also about his , and higher divorce rates than the general population. The comorbidity of anxiety, depression and addiction to substances is common in adults with ADHD. Those with comorbid conditions may be more difficult to respond to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
A detailed patient history is vital, as many medical conditions may have symptoms similar to those of ADHD. Patients suffering from developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning must be carefully evaluated. Stimulant treatment is contraindicated in those who abuse drugs or in those with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease and high blood pressure arrhythmias and tachycardia (Greenhill 2001).).
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of educating patients about their disorder and its impact on their lives. Psychoeducation can also help improve self-esteem among patients who typically face stigma, such as being judged as inept or unintelligent.
The goal of the therapy for adults who suffer from ADHD, is to improve their abilities to manage their time and teach them how to organize their time. This can help reduce the likelihood of missing appointments or making impulsive decisions which can lead to issues at work, school or in their personal lives. This type of therapy can aid in improving the effectiveness of an individual's interactions with spouses, children and coworkers.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults with ADHD is geared towards helping people change their negative behaviors. This type of therapy can be very effective in improving the functioning of people suffering from ADHD particularly when it is coupled with psychoeducation and family therapy. Informing patients and close friends about ADHD can help reduce the frequency of blaming one another for the issues caused by the patient's inability manage his or her own behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to communicate more effectively and develop strategies for resolving conflicts can be beneficial.
Counseling
A successful treatment plan for ADHD will tackle the symptoms and their effects on work, family and school. It should include stimulant and nonstimulant drugs and psychosocial therapy, notably cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change their thinking about their behavior. It also teaches them how to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with family and friends.
Stimulant medications are used to treat ADHD. They balance and boost levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They've been around for a long period of time, and there are several different kinds of medications, each with its distinct advantages and negative effects. The two most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. They are sold under many brand names, including Ritalin and Adderall. Other drugs used to treat ADHD are atomoxetine. It helps by increasing the amount of a chemical 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 since they are more gradual in onset than stimulants. They are also available to those who aren't able to take stimulants because of other health issues or experience severe side effects.
It's important to recognize that co-occurring disorders can cause symptoms of ADHD, so the presence and severity of any other conditions should be considered when determining the ADHD diagnosis. It's also important to rule out any physical causes of the symptoms, such as a thyroid disorder or problems with hearing and vision.
Certain patients may be able to lessen their ADHD symptoms through diet changes. But it's crucial to seek medical advice prior to cutting out any food which could result in nutritional deficiencies and should only be done with the guidance of a doctor or a dietician. Counseling can also assist patients cope with their symptoms and improve their relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses understand that the patient's behavior not necessarily a sign they are averse to love or malicious.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be confusing for both the patient and the doctor. It is not uncommon for other mental health conditions to coexist with the disorder. Additionally, certain medications and medical conditions can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD.
Lifestyle changes or treatment can solve a lot of these issues. For instance, a person suffering from ADHD could benefit from changing their diet or taking supplements to improve their eating habits, for instance. Behavioral therapy will help him learn how to better resist distractions, impulsiveness and improve 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 the symptoms is important, as is a physical exam. A physician can also evaluate patients for sleep apnea, hearing and thyroid problems, vision problems, lead poisoning and alcohol or drug abuse. These assessments can help to determine the presence of an underlying disorder, but also decrease or eliminate the effects of other disorders that can contribute to the ADHD-like behavior.
Most commonly, stimulants are prescribed by physicians for ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine Concerta and Adderall. Nonstimulant drugs include clonidine and guanfacine. These blood pressure medications can reduce an impulsive and hyperactivity problem, but can take longer to work and may cause adverse effects like heartburn, constipation, and a lack of sex.
People suffering from ADHD frequently forget appointments, are late for work and make irrational decisions that can be a challenge for even the most patient family members and friends. Couples therapy and classes that concentrate on improving communication skills can help people build relationships that are stable.
Diet, exercise and stress reduction could all play a part in managing ADHD symptoms. Certain people with ADHD have reported that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it is crucial to speak with a doctor prior to trying any of these treatments. Making these decisions without a physician's direction could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health problems.