ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. They can help regulate the levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants may help reduce symptoms, but they do so more slowly.
Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy can help adults develop skills to improve organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy are also able to improve social functioning.
Medicines
If you suffer from ADHD, you can benefit from medications to manage the symptoms. Some people might be able to improve their condition by changing their diet or taking supplements, but these should only be used under the guidance of a physician. Other treatments can include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and counseling for families. Certain adults with ADHD are unable to stay on medication, but they should talk to their doctor and seek help. Certain medications are available for purchase over the counter, while others require a prescription.
The majority of ADHD medications are based on increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. This decreases impulsivity and improves concentration. The most commonly used medications are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate and others. These are considered to be the most effective in ADHD treatment, but they can cause side effects. Heart problems 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 medications are prescribed to those who experience intolerable side-effects from stimulants, or are at risk of heart disease. These are mostly dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. These aren't as effective as stimulants, however they are safe and don't carry the potential for abuse that certain people experience with stimulant medication.
You can decrease your ADHD symptoms by adhering to an established schedule, making and adhering to a strict budget, improving your organization skills, understanding about your condition and implementing strategies to address your symptoms. You should talk to an expert to learn the best way to manage your condition, and you will find plenty of helpful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your relationships could be strained by your ADHD symptoms. Talking to a therapist about how you interact with your family members or friends and taking classes to learn conflict resolution can be helpful. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how your ADHD affects you and recognizing that some of your behaviors are not a deliberate act of aggression.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can result in profound emotional, social and occupational effects. These include lower academic achievement and higher rates of job loss and transfer, and poor performance at work. Additionally, there are more car accidents, and higher divorce rates than the general population. Comorbidity between depression, anxiety and addiction to substances is common in adults with ADHD. Those with comorbid conditions may be more difficult to respond to stimulant medication (Barkley & Gordon, 2002).
It is important to have an extensive medical history of the patient as many medical conditions can manifest symptoms similar to ADHD. Patients suffering from developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea, thyroid disorders and lead poisoning must be cautiously assessed. Patients who abuse substances or with certain medical conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure are not recommended from receiving stimulant treatments (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation involves teaching patients about their condition and its impact on different aspects of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can help patients improve their self-esteem, especially those who are often stigmatized as lazy or less intelligent.
The aim of a behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is to improve their ability to organize their lives and help them learn better ways to organize their time. This can help reduce the likelihood of missing appointments or making impulsive decisions which can lead to 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 modify their behavior patterns that are harmful to them. This type of therapy is extremely efficient in improving the functioning of those suffering from ADHD particularly when it is paired with psychoeducation and family therapy. Educating patients and their loved ones about ADHD can reduce the frequency of blaming one another for problems caused by the patient's inability manage his or her behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to communicate more effectively and develop conflict resolution skills can also help.
Counseling
A good treatment plan for ADHD will address the symptoms and their impacts on the family, work, and school. It includes non-stimulant and stimulant medication as along with psychosocial treatment, specifically cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients to change 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 called neurotransmitters. There are add treatment for adults of stimulant medications, all with their own benefits and negative side effects. The two most commonly used stimulants are dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate and methylphenidate, which are sold under various brands, including Adderall and Ritalin. Viloxazine is a norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine boosts 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 more gradual development than stimulants. These drugs are also available to people who are unable to take stimulants due to other medical conditions or serious side effects.
It's important to note that co-occurring disorders can cause symptoms of ADHD So the severity and presence of any other conditions should be taken into consideration when making the ADHD diagnosis. It's also crucial to rule out any physical causes for the symptoms, like an underlying thyroid disorder or vision and hearing issues.
Some patients may also be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by making dietary changes. However, it's important to seek medical advice prior to eliminating any food items that could result in nutritional deficiencies. This should only be done with the help of a physician or dietician. Counseling can also help patients cope with their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their family. Counseling can also help spouses understand that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign of a lack of affection or willful misconduct.
Education
Both doctors and patients are often confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. 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 solve a lot of these issues. A person with ADHD could benefit from changing their diet or taking supplements to improve his eating habits, for instance. Behavioral therapy can teach him how to better resist distractions, impulsiveness and increase his focus. A doctor may suggest cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, which can both aid in controlling emotions and improve concentration.
A thorough history of symptoms and a physical examination are essential. A doctor can also look for sleep apnea and other disorders like problems with vision and hearing thyroid disorders, drug or alcohol abuse as well as lead poisoning. In addition to determining the presence of an underlying cause these tests can help rule out or limit the effects of other conditions that could cause an individual's ADHD-like behavior.
If a doctor suggests medication for ADHD, the most common ones are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Other non-stimulant drugs could include clonidine or guanfacine, which are blood pressure medicines which can aid in reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity, however they might take longer to start working and might have adverse effects such as constipation, heartburn, and low sexual drive.
source web page suffering from ADHD frequently miss appointments, are late for work, and make irrational choices that strain the patience of even the most patient friends and relatives. Couples therapy and classes that concentrate on improving communication skills can help sufferers build relationships that are stable.
Diet, exercise, and stress reduction can all aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have discovered that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements can help them, but it's important to consult a physician before trying these methods. Making these decisions without a physician's guidance could lead to nutritional deficiencies and other health problems.