ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants, such as methylphenidate or amphetamine. They can help regulate levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine, (Strattera), can also help alleviate symptoms, but they work more slowly.
Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy can help adults develop strategies to improve their organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy can also enhance social functioning.
Medicines
You can use medications to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people might be able to improve their condition by changing their diet or taking supplements, however these should only be utilized under the guidance of a physician. Other treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy (CBT) and family counseling. Some adults with ADHD are unable to stay on medication however, they should speak to their doctor and ask for help. Certain medications are available over the counter, while others require a prescription.
Most drugs prescribed for ADHD help by increasing the levels of dopamine inside your brain, which decreases impulsivity and improves focus. The most commonly used medications are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. They are believed to be the most effective ADHD treatment, however they can cause side effects. Some of these side effects can be severe, like cardiovascular issues. The stimulant medication can also trigger 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 for people who have intolerable side effects from stimulants or are at risk of heart issues. These medications are primarily norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. These medications are not as effective as stimulants, but are safe and do not offer the risk of abuse that certain people experience with stimulant drugs.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a planned schedule, making and sticking to a budget, developing organizational skills, learning more about your disorder and implementing strategies to deal with your symptoms. Talk to a professional about the best ways to manage your ADHD. You can also find many useful resources on the website of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your relationships could be strained because of your ADHD symptoms. You can improve your relationships by speaking to a therapist and taking conflict resolution classes. treatment of add can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how ADHD affects you and recognizing that some of your behavior are not a deliberate act of aggression.
Therapy
ADHD as an adult can have significant social, emotional, and occupational consequences. This includes lower academic performance as well as higher rates of job failure and transfer, poor performance at work, more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population (Spencer and co. 2007). The comorbidity of anxiety, depression and addiction to substances is prevalent among adults suffering from ADHD. Patients with comorbid disorders could be more difficult to respond to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
A detailed patient history is vital, as many medical conditions can have symptoms similar to symptoms of ADHD. Patients suffering from developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea, thyroid disorders and lead poisoning should be more 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 are contraindicated from receiving stimulant therapy (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of informing patients about their condition and its effects on their lives. Psychoeducation can also improve self-esteem among patients who typically face stigma, such as being judged as inept or unintelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to help patients learn how to organize their time and work and improve their skills in organizing. This can help to reduce the risk of not attending appointments or making impulsive choices which can lead to issues at work, school or in their personal life. This type of therapy can also improve the effectiveness of a person's interactions with children, spouses and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is geared towards helping individuals change their behavior patterns. This kind of therapy is extremely efficient in improving the performance of people with ADHD especially when it is combined with psychoeducation for families and family therapy. By educating patients and their loved ones about ADHD it can decrease the frequency at which they blame each other for the problems caused by the inability of a patient to manage his or her behavior. Classes that teach families and couples how to communicate better and resolve conflicts can help.
Counseling
A well-designed treatment strategy will address the symptoms of ADHD and their effects on work, school, and the family. It will include both stimulant and nonstimulant medication as well as psychosocial therapy, notably 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 their family and friends.
Stimulant medication is used to treat ADHD. They balance and boost levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. There are a variety of stimulant drugs, each with their own benefits and adverse effects. The two most frequently prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate as well as dextroamphetamine. They are available under a variety of brand names, including Ritalin and Adderall. Other medications that treat ADHD include atomoxetine, which helps by increasing the amount of a chemical that is present in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells, and viloxazine which is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are used to treat ADHD among adults, as they have a less gradual start than stimulants. They are also available for those who cannot take stimulants due other health issues or severe side effects.
It's important to recognize that co-occurring disorders can cause symptoms of ADHD So the severity and frequency of any other conditions must be considered when making the ADHD diagnosis. It is also essential to rule out any physical causes of the symptoms, like a thyroid disorder or hearing and vision problems.
It's also worth noting that some patients may be able to lessen their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. It is important to consult a physician prior to eliminating any foods. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies and should only be done under the guidance of a physician or dietician. Counseling can also assist patients deal with their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses recognize that the patient's behavior not necessarily a sign that they are unloving or malicious.
Education
Both doctors and patients can be confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. Other mental disorders can coexist with ADHD and certain medical conditions and medications can also cause symptoms that mimic ADHD.
Many of these issues can be solved with treatments or lifestyle changes. For instance, a person suffering from ADHD could benefit from changing their diet or taking supplements to improve his eating habits, for example. Behavioral therapy can help him to resist distractions and impulsiveness, improve his concentration and self-control. A doctor might suggest cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, which can aid in regulating emotions and increase concentration.
A complete history of symptoms is essential and so is a physical exam. A physician can also test for sleep apnea and other disorders like hearing and vision issues thyroid disorders, drug or alcohol abuse and lead poisoning. In addition to determining if there is a possibility of an underlying cause, these evaluations can assist in determining or lessen the effects of other disorders that might contribute to a patient's ADHD-like behavior.
The majority of stimulants are prescribed by physicians for ADHD. These include methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine Concerta and Adderall. Nonstimulant drugs include clonidine and Guanfacine. These blood pressure medication can reduce an impulsive and hyperactivity problem, but may take longer to work and can cause negative side effects, such as heartburn, constipation, and a lack of sex.
ADHD patients tend to forget appointments, arrive late for work and make irrational choices that can cause stress to even the most patient of friends and family members. Couples therapy or classes to improve communication skills can help sufferers develop solid relationships.
Diet, exercise and stress reduction all play a role in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with the condition have found that removing certain foods or taking supplements aids them, however it's vital to consult a physician before trying these methods. If you do this without consulting with a physician, it could lead to nutritional deficiency and other health issues.