ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate. They can help regulate levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants may help alleviate symptoms, but they do so more slowly.
Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, helps adults develop their organizational and planning skills. Coaching and psychotherapy can improve social functioning.
Medicines
You can take medications to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people might discover that they improve by changing their diet or taking supplements, however they should only be taken under the guidance of a physician. Other treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy (CBT) and counseling for families. Some adults with ADHD struggle to adhere to medication However, they should talk to their doctors and ask for help. Some medications can be purchased on the internet, while others require prescription.
Most drugs prescribed for ADHD help by increasing the levels of dopamine within your brain, which decreases impulsivity and enhances concentration. The most well-known drugs are stimulants, like methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. They are believed to be the most effective in ADHD treatment, but they can have adverse effects. Cardiovascular issues are among the more serious side effects. The stimulant medication can also trigger the appearance of tics, like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth in adolescents and children by just a few months.
Nonstimulant medicines are prescribed to people who suffer from intolerable side effects from stimulants or are at risk of heart issues. These are typically norepinephrine, dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. They're not as effective as stimulants, however they are safe and don't have the potential for abuse as certain people experience with stimulant drugs.
You can lessen your ADHD symptoms by following a schedule, creating and adhering to a strict budget, improving your organization skills, understanding about your disorder and creating strategies to address your symptoms. It is important to speak with an expert to find out the best way to manage your disorder, and you can find a wealth of information on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your ADHD symptoms can strain your relationships. Talking to a therapist about the way you interact with your coworkers or spouse and taking classes to learn conflict resolution can be helpful. You can improve your relationships with your spouse or co-workers by helping them understand your ADHD and by telling them that your behavior is not malicious.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have profound emotional, social 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. The comorbidity of anxiety, depression and addiction to substances is common among adults with ADHD. Those with comorbid disorders may have more difficulty responding to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
It is essential to take an extensive history of the patient, since a variety of medical conditions may have symptoms similar to ADHD. Patients suffering from developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning should be careful to be evaluated. Treatment with stimulants is not recommended in patients with active substance abuse or in those with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease and high blood pressure arrhythmias and tachycardia (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 boost their self-esteem, especially those who are frequently viewed as lazy or less intelligent.
The purpose of behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is to improve their organizational skills and teach them better ways to organize their time. This can reduce the chances of missing appointments or making decisions that are impulsive and could cause problems in school, at work, or with their personal lives. This kind of therapy can improve the relationship of a person with their family, friends, spouse and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults with ADHD is geared towards helping people change their negative behavior patterns. This type of therapy can be very effective in improving the functioning of people suffering from ADHD especially when it is combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. Educating patients and their loved ones about ADHD can help reduce the tendency to blame each other for the problems caused by the person's inability to control his or her own behaviors. Classes that teach families and couples how to better communicate and resolve conflicts could help.
Counseling
A good treatment plan for ADHD will address the symptoms and their impact on family, work and school. It will include stimulant and nonstimulant medication as in addition to psychosocial treatment, including cognitive behavior 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 family and friends.
Stimulant medication is used to treat ADHD. They regulate and increase levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They've been around for a long time and there are a variety of types of medications, each with its distinct advantages and negative effects. The two most commonly used stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine, which are available under many different names, such as Adderall and Ritalin. Other drugs used to treat ADHD are atomoxetine, which helps by increasing the amount of a substance in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells, and viloxazine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Viloxazine as well as atomoxetine can be used to treat ADHD among adults, as they have a less gradual development than stimulants. These drugs are also available to those who are unable to take stimulants due to medical conditions or serious side effects.
It's important to recognize that comorbid disorders can mimic the symptoms of ADHD Therefore, the severity and presence of any other condition should be taken into consideration when determining an ADHD diagnosis. It's also important to rule out any physical causes of the symptoms, such as an underlying thyroid disorder or problems with hearing and vision.
Certain patients may be able reduce their ADHD symptoms through diet changes. However, it's essential to seek medical advice prior to cutting out any food, as this can cause nutritional deficiencies. treatment for add in adults should only be done with the help of a doctor or dietician. Another option is counseling, which helps patients manage their symptoms and establish better 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
The diagnosis of ADHD can be confusing for both the patient and the doctor. Other mental disorders can coexist with ADHD, and certain medical conditions and medications may cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Lifestyle or treatment changes can help with many of these issues. A person with ADHD might benefit from adjusting diet or taking supplements to improve his eating habits, for instance. Behavioral therapy can teach him how to manage distractions, impulsiveness and increase the focus of his mind. A doctor may suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness-based meditation practice, both of which can help manage emotions and increase attention.
A thorough history of symptoms is essential, as is a physical examination. A doctor can also look for sleep apnea as well as other conditions like issues with vision and hearing thyroid disorders, alcohol or drug abuse, and lead poisoning. These assessments will not only aid in determining the presence of an underlying disorder, but also help reduce or eliminate the effects of other disorders that may contribute to ADHD-like behaviors.
The majority of stimulants are prescribed by doctors to treat ADHD. These include dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, Concerta and Adderall. Nonstimulant medications include clonidine and guanfacine. These blood pressure medicines can aid in reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity, but can take longer to work and have side effects such as heartburn, constipation, and low sex desire.
ADHD patients tend to forget appointments, arrive late to work, and make irrational decisions that can cause stress to even the most patient family and friends members. Couples therapy or classes that improve communication skills can help people build solid relationships.
Diet, exercise and stress reduction could all play a role in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have found that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements can help them, but it's important to consult a physician before trying these therapies. If you try this without consulting a doctor it could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.