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. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine, (Strattera), can also reduce symptoms, but they do so slower.
Psychotherapy, similar to cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults develop their planning and organizational skills. Psychotherapy and coaching are also effective in improving social functioning.
Medicines
You can use medications to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people notice they feel better after changing their diets or taking supplements. However, these should only ever be administered under the supervision of a doctor. treatment for add in adults can include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy (CBT), and family counseling. Certain adults with ADHD have difficulty staying on medication, but they should talk to their doctor and ask for assistance. Some medications are available over-the-counter and others require prescriptions.
The majority of the medicines prescribed for ADHD are effective in increasing the levels of dopamine in your brain, which reduces the impulsivity and increases concentration. Some of the most common drugs are stimulants like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. They are believed to be the most effective for ADHD treatment, however they do have side effects. Some of these side effects can be serious, such as heart problems. The stimulant medication can also trigger antics, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth in children and adolescents by just a few months.
Nonstimulant drugs are prescribed to patients who suffer from uncontrollable side effects from stimulants, or who are at risk of heart disease. These medications are primarily dopamine reuptake inhibitors and norepinephrine or alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants but are safe and do not offer the risk of abuse that many people have with stimulant medications.
You can decrease your ADHD symptoms by following a schedule, creating and sticking to a strict budget, improving your organizational skills, learning about your disorder and developing strategies to deal with your symptoms. It is recommended to talk with a professional to learn about the best way to manage your disorder, and you will find plenty of helpful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
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 also improve your relationships by helping them understand how ADHD affects you and recognizing that some of your behavior are not intentionally mean-spirited.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have significant emotional, social and occupational consequences for occupational, emotional and social. This includes lower academic performance as well as more frequent failure to get a job and transfer, poor work performance as well as more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population (Spencer and colleagues 2007). Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to be suffering from anxiety, depression or substance abuse. Patients with multiple conditions may have a harder time responding to stimulant medications (Barkley & Gordon, 2002).
It is crucial to obtain an extensive history of the patient, since a variety of medical conditions may manifest symptoms similar to ADHD. Patients with seizures, developmental disorders sleep apnea, and thyroid disorders should be evaluated more closely. Treatment with stimulants is not recommended in patients who are addicted to drugs or those suffering from certain medical conditions, like heart disease, high blood pressure, tachycardia and arrhythmias (Greenhill 2001).).
Psychosocial therapy is a form of therapy that includes behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for adults with ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of teaching patients about their condition and its impact on different areas of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can also help improve self-esteem in patients who often face stigma, such as being judged as lazy or less intelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to teach patients how to organize their time and activities and improve their ability to organize their lives. This can help reduce the risk of missing appointments or making impulsive choices that can create problems at school, at work or with their personal lives. This kind of therapy could also help improve the effectiveness of a person's interactions with children, spouses and co-workers.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults with ADHD is geared towards helping people to change their negative behaviors. This type of therapy is very effective at improving the functioning of people with ADHD particularly when it is paired with family therapy and psychoeducation. Through educating patients and their loved family members about ADHD it will reduce the frequency at which they blame each other for the problems caused by the inability of a patient to control his or her behavior. Classes that teach families and couples how to communicate more effectively and manage conflicts can be helpful.
Counseling
A good treatment plan will address the symptoms of ADHD and their impact on school, work and the family. It will include stimulant and nonstimulant medication as along with psychosocial treatment, notably cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change their thinking about their behavior. It also helps patients learn to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with family and friends.
The stimulant medications used to treat ADHD boost and balance levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. There are many different types of stimulant medications, all with their own benefits and side-effects. The two most commonly used stimulants are dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate and methylphenidate, which are sold under many different brand names such as Adderall and Ritalin. Other medications that treat ADHD include atomoxetine, which is a stimulant that increases the amount of a substance in the brain that passes messages between brain cells, and viloxazine which is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Viloxazine and Atomoxetine are frequently used to treat ADHD in adults since they have a slower onset than stimulants. They are also available for those who are unable to take stimulants due to other health problems or who have severe adverse effects.
It's important to note that multiple disorders can resemble the symptoms of ADHD So the severity and presence of any other conditions should be considered when making the ADHD diagnosis. It is essential to eliminate physical causes of the symptoms, for example thyroid disorders or hearing and sight problems.
It's also worth noting that some patients might be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. However, it's important to seek medical advice prior to cutting out any foods which could lead to nutritional deficiencies. It should only be done with the guidance of a physician or dietician. Counseling can also help patients manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their families. Counseling can also help spouses understand that the patient's behaviors are not necessarily indicative of lack of love or willful infractions.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be confusing for both the patient and the doctor. Other mental disorders may coexist with ADHD and certain medications and medical conditions may cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Many of these issues can be solved with treatments or lifestyle changes. Someone suffering from ADHD may benefit by taking supplements or altering their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy can teach him how to better resist distractions, impulsiveness and improve his concentration. A doctor might suggest cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, which can aid in regulating emotions and increase concentration.
A thorough history of the symptoms and a physical examination are essential. A physician can also check for sleep apnea as well as other conditions like problems with vision and hearing thyroid disorders, drug or alcohol abuse, and lead poisoning. These tests can help to determine the presence of an underlying disorder but also decrease or eliminate the effects of other disorders which can contribute to the ADHD-like behavior.
When a doctor recommends medication for ADHD, the most common medications are stimulants, like dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, including methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Other non-stimulant drugs include clonidine as well as Guanfacine. These blood pressure medication can reduce an impulsive and hyperactivity problem, but might take longer to effect and may cause negative side effects, such as heartburn, constipation, and low sexual desire.
People with ADHD frequently have trouble keeping appointments, are late for work and make irrational decisions that can be a challenge for even the most patient friends and relatives. Couples therapy and classes that concentrate on improving communication skills can help patients establish stable relationships.
Exercise, diet and stress reduction can all play a role in managing ADHD symptoms. Some people with the condition have found that removing certain foods or taking supplements can help them, however it's vital to consult a physician before trying these therapies. If you do this without a doctor's advice could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health problems.