ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants, such as methylphenidate or amphetamine. They aid in balancing the levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants also help to reduce symptoms, but they work slower.
Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy can help adults develop skills to improve organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy are also capable of improving social functioning.
Medicines
If you have ADHD, you can benefit from medication to manage the symptoms. Some people notice they are more comfortable after changing their diet or taking supplements. However they should only be taken under the supervision of a doctor. Other options include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and family counseling. Some people with ADHD have difficulty staying on medication However, they should talk to their doctor and ask for assistance. Some medications can be purchased on the internet, while others require prescriptions.
The majority of the drugs prescribed for ADHD help by increasing the levels of dopamine in your brain, which reduces impulsivity and improves focus. The most well-known drugs are stimulants, like methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. Although they are considered the most effective treatment for ADHD, they also have adverse consequences. Cardiovascular issues are among the more serious side effects. In addition, stimulants can cause symptoms like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth in adolescents and children by just a few months.
Nonstimulant medications are prescribed to patients who experience intolerable side-effects from stimulants, or those at risk of heart disease. 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 that certain people experience with stimulant drugs.
You can decrease your ADHD symptoms by following the prescribed schedule, creating and sticking to the strict guidelines of a budget, enhancing your organization skills, gaining knowledge about your condition and implementing strategies to deal with your symptoms. It is important to speak with a professional to learn about the best approach to managing your condition. You can find many useful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your relationships could be strained because of your ADHD symptoms. Talking to a therapist about how you interact with your family members or friends and taking classes to learn conflict resolution can help. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how your ADHD affects you, and also recognizing that some of your actions are not a deliberate act of aggression.
Therapy
ADHD as an adult can have significant emotional, social, and occupational repercussions. These include lower academic achievements, higher rates for transfer and job failure, as well as poor work performance. Additionally, there are more car accidents, and higher divorce rates than the general population. Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to be suffering from anxiety, depression or addiction to drugs. Patients with multiple conditions may be more difficult to respond to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon, 2002).
It is essential to take an extensive background of the patient as many medical conditions can present symptoms that are similar to ADHD. Patients suffering from seizures, developmental disorders, sleep apnea thyroid disorders and lead poisoning should be cautiously assessed. Patients who abuse substances or those suffering from certain medical conditions, such as heart disease and high blood pressure are not recommended from receiving stimulant treatment (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy encompasses psychoeducation and behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of teaching patients about their disorder and its impact on various aspects of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can also help improve self-esteem in patients who often suffer from stigmas, such as being perceived as inept or unintelligent.
The goal of the therapy for adults who suffer from ADHD is to improve their abilities to manage their time and teach them how to manage their time. This will reduce the chance of missing appointments and making decisions that are impulsive and could cause problems in the workplace, at school or with their personal lives. This type of therapy may improve the relationship of a person with their family, friends, spouse and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD focuses on helping people to change their negative patterns of behavior. This kind of therapy can be very efficient in improving the performance of those with ADHD, especially if it is combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. The process of educating patients and significant others about ADHD can help decrease the tendency to blame one another for problems caused by the patient's inability to control his or her own behavior. Classes that teach families and couples how to communicate better and resolve conflicts can help.
Counseling
A good treatment plan for ADHD will address the symptoms and their impacts on the family, work and school. adult add treatment will include both stimulant and nonstimulant medication and psychosocial therapy, notably 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 family and friends.
Stimulant medications are used to treat ADHD. They balance and boost levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They have been around for a long time and there are a variety of kinds of medications, each with its own benefits and side effects. The two most frequently prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. They are sold under various brand names including Ritalin and Adderall. Viloxazine is a norepinephrine-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 also are available to those who aren't able to use stimulants due to other health issues or suffer from severe adverse effects.
It's important to note that comorbid disorders can mimic the symptoms of ADHD Therefore, the severity and frequency of any other conditions must be considered when making an ADHD diagnosis. It's also important to rule out any physical causes for the symptoms, like a thyroid disorder or hearing and vision problems.
It's also important to note that some patients might be able reduce their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. It is important to consult a physician prior to eliminating any food. This could result in nutritional deficiencies and should only be done under the guidance of a physician or dietician. Counseling can help patients deal with their symptoms, and also improve their relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses understand that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign that they are not loving or malicious.
Education
Both patients and doctors can be confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. It's not uncommon for other mental health conditions to coexist with the disorder. Additionally, certain medications and medical conditions can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD.
Lifestyle changes or treatment can solve a lot of these issues. A person with ADHD could benefit from taking supplements or changing their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy can teach him to better resist distractions and impulsiveness, improve the focus of his mind and develop self-control. A doctor might suggest cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, both of which can aid in controlling emotions and improve concentration.
A thorough history of symptoms is important, as is a physical examination. A physician can also evaluate the patient for sleep apnea and hearing and thyroid problems, vision issues, lead poisoning and alcohol or drug abuse. These assessments can help to determine the presence of an underlying disorder, but also decrease or eliminate the effects of other disorders which may contribute to ADHD-like behaviors.
If a doctor prescribes medication for ADHD the most commonly prescribed ones are stimulants such as dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts like methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant drugs might include guanfacine and clonidine which are blood pressure medications that can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, however they may take longer to start working and may cause negative side effects like heartburn, constipation and low sexual drive.
ADHD patients often forget appointments, arrive late for work, and make irrational decisions that can cause stress to even the most patient family and friends members. Couples therapy or classes to improve communication skills can help sufferers build solid relationships.
Exercise, diet and stress reduction can all play a part in managing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have found that removing certain foods or taking supplements can help them, but it's crucial to consult with a doctor before attempting these treatments. Doing so without a doctor's direction could result in nutritional deficiencies and health issues.