ADHD Treatments For Adults
The majority of doctors recommend stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate. They aid in balancing levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine (Strattera) can reduce symptoms but work more slowly.
Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, helps adults to improve their planning and organizational abilities. Coaching and psychotherapy are able to improve social functioning.
Medicines
If you have ADHD you may benefit from taking medication to manage your symptoms. Some people may find that they get better by altering their diet or taking supplements, but these should only be used under the guidance of a physician. Other treatments can include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy (CBT), and family counseling. Some people with ADHD struggle to adhere to medication However, they should talk to their doctor and ask for assistance. Some medications are available over-the-counter and others require the prescription of a doctor.
The majority of medicines prescribed for ADHD work by increasing the levels of dopamine in your brain, which decreases impulsivity and enhances concentration. Some of the most common medications are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate and others. While they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD, they also have side negative effects. Cardiovascular problems are some of the more serious adverse effects. In addition, stimulants can cause the tics of blinking eyes or throat clearing. These medications can also delay growth by a few month for teenagers and children.
Nonstimulant medications are prescribed to patients who experience intolerable side-effects from stimulants, or who are at risk of developing heart disease. These medications are mostly dopamine reuptake inhibitors, norepinephrine or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants but are safe and don't contain the potential for abuse that certain people experience with stimulant medications.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms by following a schedule, creating and sticking to the strict guidelines of a budget, enhancing your organization skills, understanding about your disorder and developing strategies to deal with your symptoms. You should talk to an expert to find out the best way to manage your condition, and you can find a wealth of information on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your ADHD symptoms can cause stress in your relationships. Talking to a therapist about how you interact with your coworkers or spouse and attending classes that teach conflict resolution can be helpful. You can improve your relationships with your family members or friends by having them understand your ADHD and making them aware that your behavior is not intentional.
Therapy
ADHD as an adult can have significant emotional, social, 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 and co. 2007). The comorbidity of anxiety, depression and addiction to substances is common among adults with ADHD. Patients with comorbid disorders could have a harder time responding to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
It is crucial to obtain an extensive history of the patient, as many medical conditions can manifest symptoms similar to ADHD. Patients with seizures, developmental disorders, sleep apnea thyroid disorders and lead poisoning should be careful to be evaluated. Patients who abuse substances, or those with particular medical conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure are not recommended from receiving stimulant treatments (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy encompasses psychoeducation and behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychoeducation involves teaching patients about their condition, including its effects on different aspects of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can help patients build their self-esteem, particularly those who are often stigmatized as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to help patients learn how to organize their time and work as well as improving their ability to organize their lives. This can reduce the chances of missing appointments or making impulsive choices that can cause problems in school, at work, or with their personal lives. This kind of therapy can also improve the effectiveness of an individual's interactions with spouses, children and co-workers.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults with ADHD is designed to help people change their negative behaviour patterns. This kind of therapy can be extremely efficient in improving the performance of those suffering from ADHD especially when it is combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. The process of educating patients and significant others about ADHD can reduce the tendency to blame each other for the problems caused by the patient's inability to control his or her behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to better communicate and resolve conflicts could be beneficial.
Counseling
A good treatment plan for ADHD will tackle the symptoms and their impact on family, work, and school. It will include both stimulant and nonstimulant drugs and psychosocial therapy, notably cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change the way they think about their behavior. It also helps patients learn to manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with family and friends.
Stimulant drugs used to treat ADHD increase and regulate 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 commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. These are sold under various brand names including Ritalin and Adderall. Other drugs used to treat ADHD include atomoxetine, which is a stimulant that increases the amount of a chemical in the brain that passes messages between brain cells, and viloxazine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Viloxazine and Atomoxetine are frequently used to treat ADHD in adults because they have a slower onset than stimulants. treatment for adult add are also available to people who can't take stimulants due to other health problems or who have serious side effects.
It is important to remember that co-occurring disorders can cause symptoms of ADHD, so the presence and severity of any other condition should be taken into consideration when determining an ADHD diagnosis. It's also crucial to rule out any physical causes of the symptoms, such as an underlying thyroid disorder or problems with hearing and vision.
Some patients may also be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by making changes to their diet. However, it's important to seek medical advice before cutting out any foods that could lead to nutritional deficiencies and should only be done with the guidance of a physician or dietician. Another option is counseling which can help patients learn to cope with their symptoms and establish better relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses understand that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign they are averse to love or malicious.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a bit confusing for both doctors and patients. It's not uncommon for different mental health conditions to coexist with the disorder, and some medications and medical conditions can also produce symptoms that mimic those of ADHD.
Lifestyle changes or treatment can help with many of these issues. Someone suffering from 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 therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness-based meditation practice both of which can help manage emotions and improve attention.
A thorough history of the symptoms and a physical exam are essential. A doctor can also examine patients for sleep apnea and hearing and thyroid problems, vision problems or lead poisoning as well as alcohol or drug abuse. In addition to determining the existence of an underlying cause, these evaluations can help rule out or lessen the effects of other conditions that could cause an individual's ADHD-like behavior.
If a doctor prescribes medication for ADHD The most popular ones are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, including methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant drugs include clonidine and guanfacine. These blood pressure medicines can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, but might take longer to effect and can cause negative side effects, such as constipation, heartburn, and low sex desire.
People with ADHD frequently have trouble keeping appointments and are often late to work, and make irrational choices that strain the patience of even the most tolerant family members and friends. Couples therapy or classes that help improve communication skills can help sufferers develop solid relationships.
Diet, exercise and stress reduction could all be a factor in managing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have found that removing certain foods or taking supplements helps them, but it's crucial to consult with a doctor before trying these therapies. If you do this without consulting with a physician this could lead to nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.