ADHD Treatments For Adults
The majority of doctors recommend stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine. They help balance the levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine (Strattera), can also reduce symptoms, but they do so slower.
Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy can help adults acquire techniques to improve organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy are able to improve social functioning.
Medicines
If you have ADHD, you can benefit from taking medication to alleviate your symptoms. Some people might find that they get better by changing their diet or taking supplements, but these should only be utilized under a doctor's guidance. Other options include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy (CBT) as well as family counseling. Certain adults with ADHD struggle to adhere to medication, but they should talk with their doctors and ask for help. Some medications can be purchased over the counter, while others require a prescription.
The majority of the medications prescribed for ADHD are effective in increasing the levels of dopamine in your brain, which reduces the impulsivity and increases focus. Some of the most popular medications are stimulants such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. While they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD but they can also trigger side negative effects. Cardiovascular problems are some of the most serious side effects. Stimulant medication may also cause the appearance of tics, like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth in children and adolescents by several months.
Nonstimulant medications can be prescribed to those who suffer from uncontrollable adverse effects from stimulants or are at risk of heart problems. These medications are mostly norepinephrine, dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. They aren't as efficient as stimulants, however they are safe and don't have the potential for abuse as some people have with stimulant medication.
You can attempt to lessen your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a planned schedule, creating and adhering to a budget, developing your organizational skills, gaining knowledge about your condition and devising strategies to deal with your symptoms. Talk to a professional about the best ways to manage your ADHD. You can also find a wealth of useful resources on the website of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your relationships may be strained due to your ADHD symptoms. Talking with a therapist about how you interact with your coworkers or spouse and taking classes to learn conflict resolution can help. You can improve your relationships with your family members or friends by having them understand your ADHD and telling them that your behavior isn't malicious.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood has serious social, emotional and occupational consequences. These include lower academic success and more frequent failure to get a job and transfer, poor performance at work as well as more car accidents and higher rates of divorce than the general population (Spencer et al 2007). adhd adult treatment who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression or abuse of substances. Patients with multiple conditions may be less responsive to stimulant medication (Barkley & Gordon, 2002).
It is important to have an extensive background of the patient because a wide range of medical conditions could have symptoms similar to ADHD. Patients with developmental disorders, seizure disorder, sleep apnea and thyroid disorders need to be evaluated more carefully. Stimulant treatment is contraindicated in those who abuse drugs or in those with certain medical conditions, including 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 the effects it has on their lives. Psychoeducation can also improve self-esteem among patients who typically are stigmatized, for example, being viewed as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
The aim of a behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is to enhance their ability to organize their lives and help them learn better ways to organize their time. This can help reduce the likelihood of missing appointments or making impulsive choices that can cause problems at school, work or in their personal life. This kind of therapy can also improve the effectiveness of a person's interactions with spouses, children and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults who suffer from ADHD is geared towards helping people to change their negative behaviour patterns. Info of therapy is extremely efficient in improving the performance of those suffering from ADHD particularly when it is coupled with psychoeducation and family therapy. The process of educating patients and loved ones about ADHD can help decrease the tendency to blame one another for problems caused by the patient's inability to manage his or her own behaviors. Classes that train couples and families to communicate more effectively and to develop conflict resolution skills can also be beneficial.
Counseling
A good treatment plan will address the symptoms of ADHD and their impact on school, work, and the family. It includes non-stimulant and stimulant medication as well as psychosocial treatment, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change the way they think about their behavior. It also teaches them how to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
The stimulant medications used to treat ADHD increase and regulate levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. There are a variety of stimulant medications, each with their own advantages and adverse effects. The two most frequently prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate as well as dextroamphetamine. They are sold under many brands, including Ritalin and Adderall. Other drugs used to treat ADHD are atomoxetine. It is a stimulant that increases the amount of a chemical that is present 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 are more gradual in onset than stimulants. They also are available to those who aren't able to use stimulants due to other health issues or suffer from severe side effects.
It is important to remember 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 physical causes of the symptoms, like thyroid disorders or hearing and vision problems.
It's also worth noting that some patients might be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by altering their diet. It is essential to consult with a doctor prior to eliminating any food. This could lead to nutritional deficiencies, and should only be done with the guidance of a dietician or doctor. Counseling can also help patients cope with their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their family. Counseling can help spouses recognize that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign they are unloving or malicious.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a bit confusing for both doctors and patients. Other mental disorders may coexist with ADHD and certain medical conditions and medications may also produce symptoms that mimic ADHD.
Treatment or lifestyle changes can solve a lot of these issues. Someone suffering from ADHD could benefit from taking supplements or adjusting their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy will help him learn how to better resist distractions, impulsiveness and increase his concentration. A doctor may suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or the practice of mindfulness meditation that can help control emotions and improve attention.
A thorough history of symptoms is essential and so is a physical exam. A doctor can also assess patients for sleep apnea, hearing or thyroid problems, vision problems or lead poisoning as well as alcohol or drug abuse. These tests can not only help determine the presence of an underlying disorder, but also help reduce or eliminate the effects of other disorders which could contribute to ADHD-like behaviors.
Most commonly, stimulants are prescribed by physicians for ADHD. They include dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate as well as Concerta and Adderall. Other non-stimulant drugs include clonidine as well as guanfacine. These blood pressure medications can reduce an impulsive and hyperactivity problem, but might take longer to effect and have side effects such as heartburn, constipation, and a lack of sex.
People suffering from ADHD frequently have trouble keeping appointments, are late for work and make irrational decisions that strain the patience of even the most patient friends and relatives. Couples therapy or classes that help improve communication skills can help people build solid relationships.
Exercise, diet, and stress reduction all can help in reducing ADHD symptoms. Certain people with ADHD have discovered that avoiding certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it is important to consult a doctor first before trying any of these methods. If you decide to do this without consulting with a physician it could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.