ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate are the first treatment that doctors recommend. They can help regulate levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Antidepressants, as well as Atomoxetine (Strattera) are also able to reduce symptoms but work slower.
Psychotherapy, similar to cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults develop their planning and organization skills. Psychotherapy and coaching are also effective in improving social functioning.
Medicines
If you have ADHD, you can benefit from taking medication to alleviate your symptoms. Some people may be able to improve their condition through a change in their diet or taking supplements, but they should only be taken under a doctor's guidance. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or family counseling are all viable treatments. Certain adults with ADHD struggle to adhere to medication, but they should talk to their doctors and ask for help. Certain medications are available over the counter and some require prescriptions.
treatments for adult adhd of ADHD medications work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. This reduces impulsivity and improves concentration. The most popular medications are stimulants like methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. These are considered to be the most effective for ADHD treatment, however they can cause side effects. Cardiovascular problems are some of the more serious side effects. In addition, stimulants can cause antics, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth in children and adolescents by just a few months.
Nonstimulant drugs are prescribed to patients who experience intolerable side-effects from stimulants, or who are at risk of developing heart disease. These medications include dopamine reuptake inhibitors, norepinephrine or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. These medications are not as effective as stimulants however they are safe and don't contain the potential for abuse that many people have with stimulant drugs.
You can try to reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a structured schedule, establishing and adhering to a budget, developing your organizational skills, gaining knowledge about your disorder, and developing strategies for dealing with your symptoms. It is recommended to talk with an expert to learn the best way to manage your condition. You can find many useful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your relationships can be strained due to your ADHD symptoms. You can improve your relationships by speaking with a therapist or taking conflict resolution classes. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how your ADHD affects you and understanding that some of your actions are not intended to be mean-spirited.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have profound emotional, social and occupational effects. These include lower academic success and more frequent failure to get a job and transfer, poor performance at work, more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population (Spencer and co. 2007). Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be suffering from anxiety, depression, or abuse of substances. Patients with multiple conditions may be more difficult to respond to stimulant medications (Barkley & Gordon, 2002).
It is crucial to obtain an extensive medical history of the patient as many medical conditions can present symptoms that are similar to ADHD. Patients suffering from developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning should be carefully evaluated. Patients who abuse substances or those suffering from certain medical conditions such as heart disease or high blood pressure are contraindicated from receiving stimulant treatments (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy encompasses behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of educating patients about their disorder and the effects it has on their lives. Psychoeducation can help patients improve their self-esteem, particularly those who are often stigmatized as being inept or unintelligent.
The aim of a behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is to improve their abilities to manage their time and help them learn better ways to manage their time. This can help reduce the risk of missing appointments or making impulsive choices that can cause problems in the workplace, at school or with their personal lives. This kind of therapy can help improve relationships with their family, friends, spouse and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for adults suffering from ADHD is focused on helping people change their negative patterns of behavior. This type of therapy can be very efficient in improving the performance of those with ADHD particularly when it is combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. Through educating patients and their loved ones about ADHD it can decrease the amount of time they blame each other for the difficulties caused by a person's inability to manage his or her behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to communicate better and resolve conflicts can help.
Counseling
A good treatment plan for ADHD will tackle the symptoms and their impacts on the family, work, and school. It includes non-stimulant and stimulant medication, as in addition to psychosocial treatment, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT assists patients to alter their thinking about their behavior. It also teaches them skills to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with family and friends.
Stimulant medications are used to treat ADHD. They regulate and increase levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. There are a variety of stimulant medications, all with their own advantages and adverse effects. The two most popular stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate, which are sold under various names, such as Adderall and Ritalin. Viloxazine is a norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine boosts the amount of a chemical in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are commonly 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 people who can't use stimulants due to other health issues or experience serious adverse effects.
It's important to note that co-occurring disorders can cause symptoms of ADHD Therefore, the severity and frequency of any other conditions must be considered when determining an ADHD diagnosis. It's also crucial to rule out any physical causes for the symptoms, such as an underlying thyroid disorder or hearing and vision problems.
Some patients may also be able reduce their ADHD symptoms through diet changes. It's important to consult a doctor before eliminating any food. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies and should only be done with the guidance of a doctor or dietician. Another option is counseling, which can help patients learn to cope with their symptoms and develop stronger relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses understand that the patient's behavior not necessarily a sign that they are averse to love or malicious.
Education
Patients and doctors alike can be confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. Other mental disorders can coexist with ADHD, and certain medications and medical conditions may also produce symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Lifestyle or treatment changes can resolve many of these issues. Someone suffering from ADHD might benefit from adjusting diet or taking supplements to improve their eating habits, for instance. Behavioral therapy can teach the person to be more resistant to distractions and impulsiveness, improve the focus of his mind and develop self-control. A doctor may suggest cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, which can both aid in regulating emotions and increase concentration.
A thorough history of the symptoms is important and so is a physical exam. A doctor can also assess patients for sleep apnea, hearing or vision problems, thyroid disorders as well as lead poisoning, alcohol or drug abuse. In addition to determining the presence of an underlying cause, these evaluations can assist in determining or limit the effects of other disorders that could cause a patient's ADHD-like behavior.
If a doctor suggests medication for ADHD, the most common medications are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts like methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant medications include clonidine and guanfacine. These blood pressure medicines can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, but may take longer to work and can cause adverse effects like constipation, heartburn, and a lack of sex.
People suffering from ADHD often have trouble keeping appointments, are late for work and make irrational decisions which can strain the patience of even the most patient family members and friends. Couples therapy and classes focusing on improving communication skills can help sufferers build relationships that are stable.
Exercise, diet and stress reduction all can play a part in managing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have found that removing certain foods or taking supplements aids them, but it's important to talk to a doctor before trying these therapies. Doing so without a doctor's guidance could lead to nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.