ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine, are the first option that doctors recommend. They help balance levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants help to alleviate symptoms, but they operate slower.
Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults learn skills to improve organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy can also improve social functioning.
Medicines
You can use medications to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people are more comfortable after changing their diets or taking supplements. However, these should only ever be administered under the supervision of a doctor. Other treatments can include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and family counseling. Certain adults with ADHD have difficulty staying on medication however, they should speak to their doctor and ask for help. Certain medications are available for purchase over the counter, while others require the prescription of a doctor.
Most medications prescribed for ADHD help by increasing the levels of dopamine within your brain, which reduces impulsivity and improves concentration. The most well-known drugs are stimulants, like methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. These are considered to be the most effective in ADHD treatment, but they can cause side effects. Some of these side effects could be serious, such as cardiovascular problems. The stimulant medication can also trigger tics 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 developing heart disease. These are mostly dopamine reuptake inhibitors and norepinephrine or alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. They aren't as efficient as stimulants, however they are safe and don't carry the risk of abuse that certain people experience with stimulant drugs.
You can lessen your ADHD symptoms by adhering to a schedule, creating and sticking to a strict budget, improving your organizational skills, learning about your condition and implementing strategies to address your symptoms. Consult a professional regarding the best ways to manage your disorder. You can also find many helpful resources on the website of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your ADHD symptoms can strain your relationships. You can improve your relationships by talking to a therapist or taking classes in conflict resolution. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how your ADHD affects you and understanding that some of your behaviors are not intended to be mean-spirited.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have significant occupational, emotional and social consequences. These include lower academic achievements and higher rates of transfer and job failure, as well as poor work performance. Additionally, there are more car accidents, and higher divorce rates than the general population. The comorbidity of anxiety, depression and addiction to drugs is prevalent among adults suffering from ADHD. Patients with comorbid disorders could be more difficult to respond to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
It is essential to take a detailed medical history of the patient since a variety of medical conditions may have symptoms similar to ADHD. Patients with developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning should be more careful to be evaluated. Treatment with stimulants is not recommended in those who abuse drugs or with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, tachycardia and arrhythmias (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy is a form of therapy that includes behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychoeducation involves teaching patients about their condition and its impact on different aspects of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can also aid in improving self-esteem in patients who often are stigmatized, for example, being perceived as inept or unintelligent.
adult add treatments for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to teach patients better ways to manage their time and work, improving their skills in organizing. This can help reduce the likelihood of missing appointments or making impulsive choices that could cause issues at work, school or in their personal life. This kind of therapy can improve the relationship of a person with their children, spouse and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults who suffer from ADHD is aimed at helping people to change their negative behaviour patterns. This kind of therapy is very efficient in improving the functioning of those suffering from ADHD, particularly when combined with psychoeducation for families and family therapy. By educating patients and loved family members about ADHD it can decrease the frequency at which they blame each other for the problems caused by the inability of a patient to manage his or her behavior. Classes that train couples and families how to communicate more effectively and to develop techniques for conflict resolution can be beneficial.
Counseling
A well-planned treatment plan for ADHD will focus on the symptoms and their impacts on the family, work, and school. It includes non-stimulant and stimulant medication as well as psychosocial treatment, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT assists patients to alter their thinking about their behavior. It also helps patients learn to manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with family and friends.
Stimulant medication is used to treat ADHD. They balance and boost levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. There are a myriad of types of stimulant drugs, each with their own advantages and negative side effects. The two most common stimulants are dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate that are available under a variety of names, such as Adderall and Ritalin. Other medications that treat ADHD include atomoxetine, which helps by increasing the amount of a chemical in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells and viloxazine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine and viloxazine are often used to treat ADHD in adults due to the fact that they are more gradual in onset than stimulants. They are also available for those who aren't able to take stimulants due to other health issues or suffer from severe side effects.
adult treatment for adhd is crucial to keep in mind that comorbid conditions can cause ADHD symptoms. Therefore the presence and severity of other conditions must be taken into consideration when diagnosing ADHD. It is essential to determine the cause 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 altering their diet. It's important to consult a doctor before eliminating any food. This could result in nutritional deficiencies and should be done under the supervision of a physician or dietician. Counseling can also assist patients manage their symptoms, and also improve their relationships with their family. Counseling can also help spouses realize that the patient's behaviors are not necessarily a sign of lack of love or willful misconduct.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a bit confusing for both patients and doctors. Other mental disorders may coexist with ADHD, and certain medications and medical conditions can also cause symptoms that resemble ADHD.
Lifestyle changes or treatment can solve a lot of these issues. Someone suffering from ADHD could benefit from changing their diet or taking supplements to improve his eating habits, for instance. Behavioral therapy can teach him to better resist the temptations and impulsiveness that can distract him, improve the focus of his mind and develop self-control. A doctor may suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness-based meditation practice, both of which can help control emotions and increase focus.
A thorough history of symptoms is important as is a physical exam. A doctor can also assess a patient for sleep apnea and hearing and thyroid problems, vision problems as well as lead poisoning, alcohol or drug abuse. These assessments can help to determine the presence of a underlying disorder but also help reduce or eliminate the effects of other disorders that can contribute to the ADHD-like behavior.
Most commonly, stimulants are prescribed by doctors to treat ADHD. They include methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine Concerta and Adderall. Nonstimulant drugs might include guanfacine or clonidine, which are blood pressure drugs which can aid in reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity, however they may take longer to start working and might have adverse effects such as constipation, heartburn, and low sex drive.
People suffering from ADHD frequently have trouble keeping appointments, are late for work, and make irrational choices that can be a challenge for even the most patient friends and relatives. Couples therapy and classes focusing on improving communication skills can help sufferers develop stable relationships.
Exercise, diet, and stress reduction all can help in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have reported that avoiding certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it is essential to consult with a physician prior to trying any of these therapies. Making these decisions without a physician's direction could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health problems.