ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. They aid in balancing levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Antidepressants, as well as Atomoxetine (Strattera) are also able to reduce symptoms but work more slowly.
Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy can help adults acquire strategies to improve their organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy are capable of improving social functioning.
Medications
If you have ADHD and are suffering from it, you could benefit from medication to manage your symptoms. Some people feel better after changing their diets or taking supplements. However, these should only ever be administered under the supervision of a medical professional. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or family counseling are all viable treatment options. Some adults with ADHD have difficulty staying on medication However, they should talk to their doctor and ask for assistance. Certain medications are available for purchase over the counter, while others require a prescription.
Most drugs prescribed for ADHD help by increasing the levels of dopamine within your brain, which reduces the impulsivity and increases focus. Some of the most common drugs are stimulants like dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. Although they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD but they can also trigger adverse effects. Some of these side effects can be severe, like cardiovascular problems. The stimulant medication can also trigger antics, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications can also delay growth by a few months in children and teenagers.
Nonstimulant drugs are often prescribed to those who suffer from uncontrollable adverse effects from stimulants or are at risk of developing heart problems. These medications are mostly dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. These drugs aren't 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 reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a structured schedule, establishing and adhering to a budget, enhancing your organizational skills, gaining knowledge about your disorder, and developing strategies to manage your symptoms. Talk to a doctor about the best methods to manage your disorder. You can also find a wealth of helpful resources on the website of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your relationships may be strained because of your ADHD symptoms. Talking to a therapist about the way you interact with your family members or friends and attending classes that teach conflict resolution can help. You can improve your relationships with your spouse or co-workers by letting them know about your ADHD and making them aware that your behavior isn't intentional.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can result in significant social, emotional, and occupational consequences. These include lower academic achievement as well as higher rates of job loss and transfer, and poor performance at work. There are also more car accidents, and higher divorce rates than the general population. Adults with ADHD are more likely to be suffering from anxiety, depression or substance abuse. Those with comorbid conditions may be more difficult to respond to stimulant medication (Barkley & Gordon 2002).
It is essential to take an extensive medical history of the patient because a wide range of medical conditions could manifest symptoms similar to ADHD. Patients with developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning should be carefully evaluated. Patients who are active in their addiction to substances or those suffering from certain medical conditions, such as heart disease and high blood pressure should refrain from receiving stimulant treatment (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of informing patients about their disorder and the effects it has on their lives. Psychoeducation can help patients improve their self-esteem, especially those who are often stigmatized as lazy or less intelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to help patients learn better ways of organizing their time and work as well as improving their skills in organizing. This can decrease the chance of missing appointments or making impulsive choices that can cause difficulties at work, school or in their personal life. This type of therapy can also help improve the effectiveness of a person's interactions with their spouses, children and co-workers.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is focused on helping people change their behavior patterns that are negative. This kind of therapy is extremely efficient in improving the functioning of people with ADHD especially when it is combined with family therapy and psychoeducation. Educating patients and their significant others about ADHD can help reduce the frequency of blaming one another for problems caused by the patient's inability to control his or her own behaviors. Classes that help couples and families to communicate more effectively and improve their techniques for conflict resolution can be beneficial.
Counseling
A successful treatment plan for ADHD will focus on the symptoms and their impact on family, work and school. It will include stimulant and nonstimulant medication and psychosocial therapy, notably cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change their thinking about their behavior. It also helps patients learn to manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
Stimulant medication is used to treat ADHD. They regulate and increase levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. There are a variety of stimulant medications, all with their own benefits and adverse effects. The two most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate as well as dextroamphetamine. They are available under a variety of brands, including Ritalin and Adderall. Viloxazine is a selective reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine increases the quantity of a brain chemical that transmits messages between brain cells. Viloxazine and Atomoxetine are frequently used to treat ADHD in adults due to the fact that they are less likely to cause symptoms than stimulants. They are also available to people who can't use stimulants due to other health issues or experience severe adverse effects.
It is important to remember that comorbid conditions can cause ADHD symptoms. Therefore the presence and severity of other conditions must be taken into consideration when diagnosing ADHD. additional reading is essential to rule out physical causes of the symptoms, for example thyroid disorders, hearing or sight problems.
It's also important to note that some patients might be able reduce their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. However, it's important to seek medical advice before eliminating any food items, as this can result in nutritional deficiencies and should only be done with the guidance of a physician or dietician. Another option is counseling which helps patients cope with their symptoms and build stronger relationships with their families. Counseling can also assist spouses in understanding that the patient's behaviors are not necessarily a sign of a lack of love or willful wrongdoing.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a bit confusing for both doctors and patients. It's not uncommon for different mental health disorders to coexist the disorder, and certain medications and medical conditions may cause symptoms that resemble the symptoms of ADHD.
Many of these problems can be solved with treatment or lifestyle adjustments. A person with ADHD might benefit from adjusting diet or taking supplements to improve their eating habits, for instance. Behavioral therapy will help him learn how to manage distractions, impulsiveness and increase his concentration. A doctor may suggest cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, which can help control emotions and increase concentration.
A thorough medical history and a physical exam are crucial. A physician can also check for sleep apnea, as well as other disorders like hearing and vision issues, thyroid disorders, drug or alcohol abuse as well as lead poisoning. In addition to determining if there is a possibility of an underlying cause, these tests can assist in determining or reduce the effects of other disorders that might cause an individual's ADHD-like behavior.
If a doctor suggests medication for ADHD The most popular ones are stimulants such as dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts like methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant drugs include clonidine and guanfacine. These blood pressure medication can reduce the impulsivity and hyperactivity, but they might take longer to effect and may cause adverse effects like constipation, heartburn, and low sex desire.
ADHD patients are often unable to remember appointments, arrive late for work and make irrational choices which can stress even the most patient of family and friends members. Couples therapy and classes focusing on improving communication skills can help sufferers build relationships that are stable.
Exercise, diet, and stress reduction all can help in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have discovered that avoiding certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it's crucial to speak with a doctor prior to trying any of these treatments. If you do this without a doctor's guidance could lead to nutritional deficiencies and other health problems.