ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. They can help regulate levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants also may help reduce symptoms, but they operate slower.
Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy can help adults develop skills to improve organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy can also improve social functioning.
Medicines
If you suffer from ADHD, you can benefit from medications to alleviate the symptoms. Some people are more comfortable after changing their diets or taking supplements. However they should only be taken under the supervision of a medical professional. Other treatments can include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and counseling for families. Certain adults suffering from ADHD struggle to stay on their medication. They should talk to their doctor and request assistance. Certain medications are available over the counter, while others require prescriptions.
The majority of ADHD medications are based on increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. This reduces impulsivity and increases concentration. The most well-known drugs are stimulants, like methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. While they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD but they can also trigger negative side negative effects. Cardiovascular issues are among the most serious side effects. In addition, stimulants can cause tics such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth in children and adolescents by a few months.
Nonstimulant drugs are prescribed to patients who experience intolerable side-effects from stimulants, or are at risk of heart disease. These are mostly norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. They're not as effective as stimulants, but they are safe and don't have the potential for abuse that some people are prone to with stimulant drugs.
You can attempt to lessen your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a well-planned schedule, establishing and adhering to a budget, enhancing organizational skills, learning more about your disorder and devising strategies to manage your symptoms. It is important to speak with an expert to learn the best way to manage your condition, and you can find a wealth of information on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your relationships can be strained by your ADHD symptoms. Talking with a therapist about how you interact with your family members or friends and taking classes that teach conflict resolution can help. You can improve your relationships with your spouse or co-workers by having them understand your ADHD and by making them aware that your behavior isn't intentional.
Therapy
ADHD as an adult can have profound emotional, social and occupational consequences. These include lower academic success, more frequent failure to get a job and transfer, poor performance at work, more car accidents and higher rates of divorce than the general population (Spencer and co. 2007). The comorbidity of anxiety, depression and substance abuse are common among adults with ADHD. Patients with multiple conditions may have a harder time responding to stimulant medication (Barkley & Gordon 2002).
It is crucial to obtain a detailed background of the patient since a variety of medical conditions may present symptoms that are similar to ADHD. Patients suffering from seizures, developmental disorders, sleep apnea thyroid disorders and lead poisoning should be more careful to be evaluated. Patients with active substance abuse or with certain medical conditions such as heart disease or high blood pressure are contraindicated from receiving stimulant treatment (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of educating patients about their condition and its impact on their lives. Psychoeducation can also help improve self-esteem in patients who often suffer from stigmas, such as being viewed as inept or unintelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to help patients learn better ways of organizing their time and activities as well as improving their skills in organizing. This can help reduce the risk of missing appointments and making decisions impulsively that could result in problems at the workplace, at school or with their personal lives. This kind of therapy can aid in improving the effectiveness of an individual's interactions with children, spouses and coworkers.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for adults suffering from ADHD is focused on helping people to change their negative patterns of behavior. This kind of therapy is extremely effective at improving the functioning of those suffering from ADHD, particularly when combined with psychoeducation for families and family therapy. Informing patients and significant others about ADHD can reduce the likelihood of blaming one another for problems caused by the patient's inability to control their own behaviors. Classes that teach families and couples how to communicate more effectively and resolve conflicts can be helpful.
Counseling
A good treatment plan for ADHD will tackle the symptoms and their impact on family, work and school. treating add in adults will include stimulant and nonstimulant medications and psychosocial therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change the way they think about their behavior. It also helps patients learn how to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
Stimulant medication is used to treat ADHD. They help to regulate and boost levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They have been around for a long period of time, and there are many kinds of drugs, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The two most frequently prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate as well as dextroamphetamine. These are available under a variety of brands, including Ritalin and Adderall. Viloxazine is a selective norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine boosts the quantity of a brain chemical that transmits messages between brain cells. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are commonly used to treat ADHD in adults since they are more gradual in onset than stimulants. These medications are also available to those who are unable to take stimulants due other medical conditions or serious adverse effects.
It is crucial to keep in mind that comorbidities can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore the severity and presence of other conditions must be taken into consideration when diagnosing ADHD. It is also essential to rule out any physical causes of the symptoms, like an underlying thyroid disorder or hearing and vision problems.
Certain patients may be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by making changes to their diet. It is essential to consult with a doctor prior to eliminating any food. This could result in nutritional deficiencies and should only be done under the supervision of a doctor or dietician. Counseling can also help patients cope with their symptoms and improve their relationships with their family. Counseling can help spouses understand that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign that they are unloving or malicious.
Education
Both doctors and patients are susceptible to being misled by the diagnosis of ADHD. It's not uncommon for different mental health conditions to coexist with the disorder. Additionally, certain medications and medical conditions can cause symptoms that resemble those of ADHD.
Lifestyle or treatment changes can help with many of these issues. Someone suffering from ADHD may benefit from taking supplements or changing their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy will help him learn how to better resist distractions, impulsiveness and increase his focus. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness meditation practice both of which can help control emotions and increase attention.
A thorough history of symptoms and a physical examination are important. A physician can also evaluate patients for sleep apnea and hearing and vision problems, thyroid disorders or lead poisoning as well as drug or alcohol abuse. These tests can help to determine the presence of an underlying disorder, but also help reduce or eliminate the effects of other disorders which may contribute to ADHD-like behaviors.
When a doctor recommends medication for ADHD the most commonly prescribed ones are stimulants such as dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant drugs might include guanfacine or clonidine, which are blood pressure medications which can aid in reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity, but they might take longer to begin working and might have negative side effects like constipation, heartburn and low sex drive.
People suffering from ADHD frequently miss appointments, are late for work, and make irrational choices which can strain the patience of even the most patient family members and friends. Couples therapy or classes that improve communication skills can help people develop solid relationships.
Exercise, diet, and stress reduction can all be a factor in managing ADHD symptoms. Certain people suffering from 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. Doing so without a doctor's direction could result in nutritional deficiencies and health issues.