ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate. They can help regulate the levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine (Strattera) can reduce symptoms, but they do so slower.
Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults learn techniques to improve organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy are capable of improving social functioning.
Medicines
You can take medications to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people might be able to improve their condition by changing their diet or taking supplements, but these should only be utilized under the supervision of a doctor. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or family counseling are all viable solutions. Certain adults suffering from ADHD struggle to stick to their medication. They should consult their doctor and ask for assistance. Certain medications are available for purchase over the counter, while others require a prescription.
Most ADHD medications are based on increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. This reduces impulsivity, and improves concentration. Some of the most popular medications are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. They are believed to be the most effective in ADHD treatment, but they do have side effects. Cardiovascular problems are some of the more serious side effects. In addition, stimulants can cause antics, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth in children and adolescents by a few months.
Nonstimulant drugs are often prescribed to people who suffer from intolerable side effects from stimulants or are at risk of developing heart problems. These medications are mostly dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but are safe and don't have the abuse potential that many people have when taking stimulant medication.
You can attempt to lessen your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a well-planned schedule, establishing and adhering to a budget, enhancing your organizational skills, gaining knowledge about your condition and devising strategies to deal with your symptoms. You should talk to an expert to find out the best way to manage your condition, and you will find plenty of helpful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your ADHD symptoms can cause stress in your relationships. You can improve your relationships by speaking to a therapist or taking conflict resolution classes. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how ADHD affects you and recognizing that some of your behaviors are not a deliberate act of aggression.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can result in significant social, emotional, and occupational repercussions. This includes lower academic performance as well as higher rates of job failure and transfer, poor performance at work, more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population (Spencer et al 2007). Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety or substance abuse. Those with comorbid conditions may have a harder time responding to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon, 2002).
It is crucial to obtain a detailed medical history of the patient because a wide range of medical conditions could manifest symptoms similar to ADHD. Patients suffering from developmental disorders, seizure disorder, sleep apnea and thyroid disorders need to 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 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 informing patients about their condition and its effects on their lives. Psychoeducation can also help improve self-esteem among patients who typically face stigma, such as being viewed as inept or unintelligent.
The aim of a behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is to enhance their ability to organize their lives and teach them better ways to organize their time. This will reduce the chance of missing appointments and making decisions impulsively that could create problems at the workplace, at school or with their personal lives. This type of therapy can aid in improving the effectiveness of an individual's interactions with spouses, children and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults with ADHD is designed to help people change their negative behaviors. This type of therapy is extremely effective in improving the functioning of people suffering from ADHD particularly when it is combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. The process of educating patients and close friends about ADHD can help reduce the frequency of blaming one another for problems caused by the patient's inability to manage his or her behavior. Classes that teach families and couples how to better communicate and resolve conflicts can help.
Counseling
A successful treatment strategy will address the symptoms of ADHD and their effects on school, work, and the family. It includes non-stimulant and stimulant medication, as in addition to psychosocial treatment, notably cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change the way they think about their behavior. It also helps patients learn to manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
Stimulant medications used to treat ADHD increase and regulate levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They have been around for a long time, and there are many kinds of drugs each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The two most common stimulants are dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate that are available under a variety of brand names such as Adderall and Ritalin. Other medications used to treat ADHD include atomoxetine, which works by increasing the amount of a chemical that is present in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells, and viloxazine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are both used to treat ADHD among adults, as they have a more gradual onset than stimulants. They also are available to those who aren't able to use stimulants due to other health problems or who experience serious adverse effects.
It's important to recognize that co-occurring disorders can cause symptoms of ADHD Therefore, the presence and severity of any other medical condition must be considered when making the ADHD diagnosis. It is important to determine the cause of the symptoms, for example thyroid disorders, hearing and sight problems.
It's also worth noting that some patients may be able to lessen their ADHD symptoms by altering their diet. It is essential to consult a doctor before eliminating any foods. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies, and should only be done under the guidance of a dietician or doctor. Another option is counseling which helps patients manage their symptoms and establish stronger relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses understand that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign that they are averse to love or malicious.
Education
Both patients and doctors can be confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. Other mental disorders can coexist with ADHD, and certain medical conditions and medications may cause symptoms that resemble ADHD.
Lifestyle changes or treatment can solve a lot of these issues. Someone suffering from ADHD might benefit by taking supplements or altering their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy can teach the person to be more resistant to distractions and impulsiveness, increase his focus and develop self-control. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or the practice of mindfulness meditation both of which can help control emotions and improve attention.
A thorough history of symptoms is essential, as is a physical exam. A doctor can also examine a patient for sleep apnea and hearing and thyroid problems, vision problems, lead poisoning and drug or alcohol abuse. These evaluations 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.
If More Help prescribes medication for ADHD, the most common ones are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts like methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant medications could include guanfacine or clonidine, which are blood pressure medications which can aid in reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity, but they might take longer to begin working and may cause side effects like constipation, heartburn, and low sexual drive.
People with ADHD often have trouble keeping 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 people develop stable relationships.
Exercise, diet and stress reduction can all aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have found that removing certain foods or taking supplements aids them, but it's crucial to talk to a doctor before attempting these treatments. Doing so without a doctor's advice could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health problems.