ADHD Treatments For Adults
The majority of doctors recommend stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. They can help regulate levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine (Strattera) are also able to reduce symptoms but work slower.
Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults learn strategies to improve their organization and planning. Psychotherapy and coaching can also enhance social functioning.
Medications
You can use medications to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people feel better after altering their diets or taking supplements. However they should only be taken under the supervision of a medical professional. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or family counseling are all viable treatments. Some adults with ADHD struggle to adhere to medication, but they should talk to their doctors and ask for help. Certain medications are available for purchase over the counter and some require prescriptions.
The majority of drugs prescribed for ADHD work by increasing the levels of dopamine within your brain, which decreases impulsivity and improves focus. treatment for adhd adults -known medications are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. They are believed to be the most effective for ADHD treatment, however they do have side effects. Cardiovascular problems are some of the most serious side effects. In addition, stimulants can cause the appearance of tics, like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth in adolescents and children by a few months.
Nonstimulant medications can be prescribed to those who suffer from uncontrollable adverse effects from stimulants or are at risk of heart issues. These medications are mostly dopamine reuptake inhibitors, norepinephrine or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. These medications are not as effective as stimulants, but are safe and don't contain the potential for abuse that many people have when taking stimulant medication.
You can try to reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a planned schedule, establishing and adhering to a budget, developing your organizational skills, gaining knowledge about your condition and devising strategies for dealing with your symptoms. Consult a professional regarding the best strategies to manage your disorder. You can also find many helpful resources on the website of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your relationships can be strained because of your ADHD symptoms. You can improve your relationships by speaking to a therapist or taking classes in conflict resolution. You can improve your relationships with your coworkers or spouse by letting them know about your ADHD and telling them that your behavior is not malicious.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood has serious social, emotional and occupational consequences. These include lower academic achievements and higher rates of job failure and transfer and poor work performance. There are also more car accidents, and higher divorce rates than the general population. Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be suffering from anxiety, depression or addiction to drugs. Those with comorbid conditions may be less responsive to stimulant medications (Barkley & Gordon 2002).
A detailed patient history is crucial, as a variety of medical conditions can manifest similar to symptoms of ADHD. Patients with developmental disorders, seizure disorder sleep apnea, and thyroid disorders must be assessed more carefully. Patients who abuse substances, or those with particular medical conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure are contraindicated from receiving stimulant treatments (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy is a form of therapy that includes behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of educating patients about their condition as well as its effects on different aspects of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can also aid in improving self-esteem for patients who frequently face stigma, such as being judged as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
The aim of a the therapy for adults who suffer from ADHD is to improve their organizational skills and teach them better ways to manage their time. This will reduce the likelihood of missing appointments or making decisions impulsively that can cause issues at work, school or in their personal life. This type of therapy could help improve relationships with their family, friends, spouse and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for adults suffering from ADHD is focused on helping individuals change their negative patterns of behavior. This kind of therapy can be extremely effective in improving the functioning of people suffering from ADHD, especially if combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. By educating patients and their loved ones about ADHD it can decrease the amount of time they blame each other for the problems caused by a patient's inability control their behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to better communicate and manage conflicts can help.
Counseling
A good treatment strategy will address the symptoms of ADHD and their effects on school, work, and family. It will include stimulant and nonstimulant medications as well as psychosocial treatment, specifically cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT assists patients in changing their way of thinking about their behavior. It also teaches them how to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
Stimulant drugs used to treat ADHD increase and regulate levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. There are a myriad of types of stimulant drugs, each with their own benefits and side-effects. The two most popular stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine, which are available under a variety of brand names such as Adderall and Ritalin. Viloxazine is a norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine enhances the amount of a chemical in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are both used to treat ADHD in adults, since they have a slower development than stimulants. They are also available for those who aren't able to take stimulants because of other health problems or who suffer from severe adverse effects.
It's important to note that comorbid disorders can mimic the symptoms of ADHD, so the severity and presence of any other medical condition should be taken into consideration when determining an ADHD diagnosis. It is essential to rule out physical causes of the symptoms, for example thyroid disorders, hearing and sight problems.
Certain patients may be able to lessen their ADHD symptoms through diet changes. It is essential to consult a physician prior to eliminating any food. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies and should be done under the supervision of a physician or dietician. Counseling can also help patients manage 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 not loving or malicious.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a bit confusing for both the patient and the doctor. Other mental disorders may coexist with ADHD, and certain medical conditions and medications may cause symptoms that resemble ADHD.
Many of these issues can be resolved by treatment or lifestyle changes. Someone suffering from ADHD might benefit from taking supplements or adjusting their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy will teach him how to manage distractions, impulsiveness and improve his concentration. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, which can both help control emotions and increase concentration.
A thorough history of symptoms and a physical examination are crucial. A physician can also evaluate patients for sleep apnea, hearing and vision problems, thyroid disorders or lead poisoning as well as drug or alcohol abuse. These assessments will not only aid in determining the presence of an underlying disorder but also decrease or eliminate the effects of other disorders which could contribute to ADHD-like behaviors.
When a doctor recommends medication for ADHD, the most common ones are stimulants like dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts like methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant drugs might include clonidine or guanfacine, which are blood pressure medicines which can aid in reducing impulsivity and hyperactivity, but they could take longer to start working and might have adverse effects such as heartburn, constipation and low sexual drive.
ADHD patients tend to forget appointments, arrive late for work and make irrational choices which can stress even the most patient of friends and family members. Couples therapy or classes to improve communication skills can help people develop stable relationships.
Exercise, diet, and stress reduction could all be a factor in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with the condition have found that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements aids them, however it's vital to consult a physician before trying these therapies. Making these decisions without a physician's direction could result in nutritional deficiencies and health issues.