ADHD Treatments For Adults
The majority of doctors recommend stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine. They help balance levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine (Strattera) can reduce symptoms, but they do so more slowly.
Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy can help adults acquire techniques 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 taken under the supervision of a medical professional. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or family counseling are all possible treatment options. Many adults suffering from ADHD struggle to stick to their medication. They should talk to their doctor and seek assistance. Certain medications are available over the counter, while others require prescriptions.
The majority of ADHD medications are based on increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. This decreases impulsivity and increases concentration. Some of the most popular drugs are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. They are thought to be the most effective for ADHD treatment, however they can cause side effects. Heart problems are among the most serious adverse effects. In addition, stimulants can cause tics such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth by a few month in teenagers and children.
Nonstimulant medications are prescribed to patients who suffer from uncontrollable side effects from stimulants, or who are at risk of developing heart disease. These medications include dopamine reuptake inhibitors, norepinephrine or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. These medications are not as effective as stimulants, but are safe and don't contain the potential for abuse that some people experience when taking stimulant medication.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a structured schedule, making and sticking to a budget, developing your organizational skills, gaining knowledge about your disorder and implementing strategies to manage your symptoms. It is important to speak with an expert to learn the best way to manage your condition. You can find a wealth of information on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your relationships could be strained due to your ADHD symptoms. You can improve your relationships by talking to an therapist and attending 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 a deliberate act of aggression.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood has significant emotional, social and occupational effects on occupational, emotional and social. These include lower academic achievements and higher rates of job failure and transfer and poor work performance. Additionally, there are more car accidents, and higher divorce rates than the general population. Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to be suffering from anxiety, depression, or abuse of substances. People with comorbid disorders might have more difficulty responding to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
A detailed patient history is vital, as many medical conditions can have symptoms similar to symptoms of ADHD. Patients with developmental disorders, seizure disorder, sleep apnea and thyroid disorders need to be evaluated more closely. Patients with active substance abuse, or those with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease and high blood pressure are contraindicated from receiving stimulant treatment (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy includes behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of educating patients about their condition and its impact on their lives. Psychoeducation can help patients boost their self-esteem, particularly those who are often viewed as lazy or less intelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to teach patients how to organize their time and activities and improve their skills in organizing. This can reduce the chances of missing appointments and making decisions impulsively that could create problems at school, at work, or with their personal lives. This kind of therapy could also improve the effectiveness of one's interactions with spouses, children and co-workers.
treatment for adult add -behavioral treatment for adults with ADHD is geared towards helping individuals change their behavior patterns. This kind of therapy is extremely efficient in improving the functioning of those suffering from ADHD especially when it is combined with psychoeducation for families and family therapy. By educating patients and their loved family members about ADHD it will reduce the amount of time they blame each other for the problems caused by the inability of a patient to control their behavior. Classes that teach families and couples how to communicate more effectively and resolve conflicts could be beneficial.
Counseling
A good 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 along with psychosocial treatment, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change their thinking about their behavior. It also helps them develop skills to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with family and friends.
Stimulant drugs are used to treat ADHD. They regulate and increase levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. There are many different types of stimulant medications, each with their own advantages and negative side effects. The two most common stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate, which are sold under various brand names such as 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 as well as atomoxetine can be used to treat ADHD in adults, since they have a more gradual start than stimulants. They are also available for people who can't take stimulants due to other health issues or have serious adverse effects.
It is important to remember that comorbid disorders can mimic the symptoms of ADHD, so the severity and presence of any other condition should be considered when making an ADHD diagnosis. It's important to determine the cause of the symptoms, including thyroid disorders, hearing and sight problems.
Certain patients may be able reduce their ADHD symptoms through diet changes. However, it's important to seek medical advice prior cutting out any foods that could result in nutritional deficiencies. This should only be done with the assistance of a doctor or a dietician. Another option is counseling which can assist patients in learning to cope with their symptoms and develop stronger relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses understand that the patient's behavior not necessarily a sign they are not loving or malicious.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be confusing for both doctors and patients. It's not uncommon for different mental health conditions to coexist with the disorder. Additionally, certain medications and medical conditions may cause symptoms that resemble those of ADHD.
Many of these issues can be solved with treatment or lifestyle adjustments. Someone suffering from ADHD might benefit from taking supplements or changing their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy could help him to resist distractions and impulsiveness, increase his focus and develop self-control. A doctor might suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or the practice of mindfulness meditation, both of which can help manage emotions and increase attention.
A thorough history of the symptoms is essential, as is a physical exam. A physician can also evaluate patients for sleep apnea, hearing and thyroid problems, vision issues, lead poisoning and alcohol or drug abuse. These assessments can help to determine the presence of an underlying disorder but also help reduce or eliminate the effects of other disorders which could contribute to ADHD-like behaviors.
Most often, stimulants are prescribed by doctors for ADHD. They include dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, Concerta and Adderall. Other non-stimulant drugs could include guanfacine and clonidine which are blood pressure medications that can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, but they may take longer to start working and may cause side effects like constipation, heartburn, and low sexual drive.
ADHD patients tend to forget appointments, show up late for work and make uninformed choices that can cause stress to even the most patient family and friends members. Couples therapy and classes that focus on improving communication skills can help patients build relationships that are stable.
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 helps them, but it's important to talk to a doctor before trying these methods. Doing so without a doctor's guidance could lead to nutritional deficiencies and health issues.