ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine, are the first option that doctors recommend. They aid in balancing the levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants can alleviate symptoms, but they work more slowly.
Psychotherapy, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults develop their planning and organizational skills. Coaching and psychotherapy are also capable of improving social functioning.
Medicines
If you suffer from ADHD you may benefit from medication to manage your symptoms. Some people feel better after changing their diets or taking supplements. However they should only be administered under the supervision of a doctor. Other options include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as counseling for families. Some adults with ADHD struggle to stay on their medication. They should speak to their doctor and ask for assistance. Certain medications can be purchased on the internet, while others require prescription.
The majority of drugs prescribed for ADHD are effective in increasing the levels of dopamine inside your brain, which decreases impulsivity and improves concentration. The most commonly used drugs are stimulants like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. These are considered to be the most effective for ADHD treatment, but they do have side effects. Some of these side effects could be severe, like cardiovascular issues. Stimulant medications can also cause tics such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth in adolescents and children by just a few months.
Nonstimulant drugs are prescribed to patients who suffer from uncontrollable side effects from stimulants, or those at risk of developing heart disease. These are mostly dopamine reuptake inhibitors and norepinephrine 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 some people experience with stimulant medications.
You can lessen your ADHD symptoms by following an established schedule, making and adhering to a strict budget, improving your organization skills, gaining knowledge about your disorder and creating strategies to deal with your symptoms. Talk to a professional about the best strategies to manage your ADHD. You can also find a wealth of useful resources on the site of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your ADHD symptoms can affect your relationships. Talking to a therapist about how you interact with your coworkers or spouse and attending classes that teach conflict resolution can help. You can improve your relationships with your family members or friends by having them understand your ADHD and by making them aware that your behavior is not malicious.
Therapy
ADHD as an adult can have significant emotional, social, and occupational effects. This can lead to lower academic achievement as well as higher rates of job loss and transfer, poor performance at work as well as a higher number of car accidents, and higher rates of divorce than the general population (Spencer and co. 2007). Comorbidity between depression, anxiety and addiction to substances is common in adults with ADHD. Those with comorbid disorders may be more difficult to respond to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
It is crucial to obtain a detailed history of the patient, because a wide range of medical conditions could have symptoms similar to ADHD. Patients suffering from developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea thyroid disorders and lead poisoning should be careful to be evaluated. adhd treatment for adults with stimulants is not recommended in patients with active substance abuse or those suffering from certain medical conditions, like heart disease and high blood pressure tachycardia and arrhythmias (Greenhill 2001).).
Psychosocial therapy encompasses behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of educating patients about their condition and the effects it has on their lives. Psychoeducation can help patients build their self-esteem, particularly those who are often viewed as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to teach patients how to organize their time and activities as well as improving their organizational skills. This can help decrease the chance of missing appointments or making impulsive choices that can cause difficulties at work, school or in their private lives. This kind of therapy can 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 behavior patterns. This kind 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. Educating patients and their significant others about ADHD can help decrease the frequency of blaming each other for the problems caused by the person's inability to control his or her own behavior. Classes that teach families and couples how to communicate better and manage conflicts can be beneficial.
Counseling
A well-planned treatment plan for ADHD will focus on the symptoms and their impact on family, work, and school. It should include stimulant and nonstimulant drugs and psychosocial therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change the way they think about their behavior. It also teaches patients how to manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with family and friends.
Stimulant drugs used to treat ADHD boost and balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. There are a variety of stimulant medications, all with their own benefits and adverse effects. The two most common stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate, which are sold under various brand names such as Adderall and Ritalin. Viloxazine is a selective norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine boosts the amount of a chemical in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are both used to treat ADHD in adults, since they have a more gradual development than stimulants. These drugs are also available to those who are unable to take stimulants due to other medical conditions or serious side effects.
It is important to remember that co-occurring disorders can cause symptoms of ADHD, so the severity and presence of any other condition should be considered when making an ADHD diagnosis. It is also essential to rule out any physical causes for the symptoms, such as a thyroid disorder or hearing and vision problems.
Some patients may also be able reduce their ADHD symptoms through diet changes. However, it's important to seek medical advice before eliminating any food items that could cause nutritional deficiencies. This should only be done with the assistance of a doctor or a dietician. Counseling can help patients manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with their family. Counseling can help spouses understand that the patient's behavior not necessarily a sign they are unloving or malicious.
Education
Both doctors and patients are susceptible to being misled by the diagnosis of ADHD. Other mental disorders may coexist with ADHD, and certain medical conditions and medications may also produce symptoms that mimic ADHD.
Many of these problems can be addressed with treatment or lifestyle adjustments. Someone suffering from ADHD might benefit from adjusting diet or taking supplements to improve his eating habits, for instance. Behavioral therapy will help him learn how to manage distractions, impulsiveness and improve the focus of his mind. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness meditation practice that can help manage emotions and increase focus.
A complete history of symptoms is important, as is a physical examination. A physician can also evaluate patients for sleep apnea, hearing or vision problems, thyroid disorders or lead poisoning as well as alcohol or drug abuse. In addition to determining if there is a possibility of a root cause, these evaluations can assist in determining or limit the effects of other conditions that could cause an individual'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 might take longer to effect and can cause adverse effects like constipation, heartburn, and a lack of sex.
ADHD patients often forget appointments, arrive late to work, and make irrational decisions that can strain even the most patient of friends and family members. Couples therapy or classes to improve communication skills can help people establish stable relationships.
Exercise, diet and stress reduction can all help in reducing ADHD symptoms. Certain people suffering from ADHD have reported that avoiding certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it's essential to consult with a physician first before trying any of these methods. If you do this without consulting a doctor this could lead to nutritional deficiency and other health issues.