ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants, like amphetamine and methylphenidate are the first treatment that doctors recommend. They aid in balancing levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Antidepressants, as well as Atomoxetine (Strattera), can also reduce symptoms but work more slowly.
Psychotherapy, similar to cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults improve their organizational and planning skills. Psychotherapy and coaching can also help improve social functioning.
Medications
You can use medications to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people find that they get better through a change in their diet or taking supplements, however these should only be used under a doctor's guidance. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT), or family counseling are all viable solutions. Many adults suffering from ADHD struggle to stay on their medication. holistic treatment for adhd should consult their doctor and ask for assistance. Certain medications can be purchased over-the-counter while others need prescriptions.
Most medicines prescribed for ADHD are effective in increasing the levels of dopamine in your brain, which reduces impulsivity and improves concentration. The most commonly used drugs are stimulants like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. They are believed to be the most effective ADHD treatment, but they do have side effects. Cardiovascular issues are among the most serious adverse effects. In addition, stimulants can cause the appearance of tics, like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth in children and adolescents by several months.
Nonstimulant medications are prescribed to people who experience intolerable side-effects from stimulants, or who are at risk of developing heart disease. These medications are primarily dopamine reuptake inhibitors and norepinephrine or alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. These aren't as effective as stimulants, but they are safe and don't have the risk of abuse that certain people experience with stimulant medication.
You can attempt to lessen your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a well-planned schedule, establishing and adhering to a budget, improving your organizational skills, gaining knowledge about your disorder, and developing strategies to manage your symptoms. It is important to speak with an expert to learn the best approach to managing your condition, and you can find many useful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your ADHD symptoms can strain your relationships. Talking to a therapist about the way you interact with your coworkers or spouse 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 actions are not a deliberate act of aggression.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood has serious emotional, social and occupational consequences. These include lower academic success and higher rates of job loss and transfer, poor performance at work, more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population (Spencer and co. 2007). Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to be suffering from depression, anxiety or substance abuse. adhd symptoms and treatment with multiple conditions may be more difficult to respond to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
It is important to have a detailed background of the patient as many medical conditions can have symptoms similar to ADHD. Patients with seizures, developmental disorders, sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning should be more careful to be evaluated. The use of stimulants is not recommended for patients who are addicted to drugs or in those with certain medical conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, arrhythmias and tachycardia (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of educating patients about their disorder and its impact on their lives. Psychoeducation can also aid in improving self-esteem among patients who typically face stigma, such as being judged as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to teach patients how to organize their time and tasks and improve their ability to organize their lives. This can reduce the chances of missing appointments or making impulsive choices that can cause problems in school, at work or with their personal lives. This kind of therapy can also improve the effectiveness of a person's interactions with spouses, children and co-workers.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is focused on helping people modify their negative patterns of behavior. This kind of therapy can be extremely efficient in improving the performance of those suffering from ADHD, especially if combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. By educating patients and their loved ones about ADHD it can decrease the frequency at which they blame each other for the issues caused by a patient's inability control their behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to communicate more effectively and to develop techniques for conflict resolution can help.
Counseling
A successful treatment plan for ADHD will focus on the symptoms and their impacts on the family, work and school. It will include both stimulant and nonstimulant medication as well as psychosocial therapy, notably cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients to change their mental outlook on 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 help to regulate and boost levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. There are a variety of stimulant drugs, each with their own benefits and side-effects. The two most common stimulants are dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate, which are available under many different brands, including Adderall and Ritalin. Other medications that treat ADHD are atomoxetine. It helps by increasing the amount of a chemical in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells, and viloxazine which is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine and viloxazine are often used to treat ADHD in adults due to the fact that they have a slower onset than stimulants. They also are available to those who are unable to use stimulants due to other health issues or suffer from serious side effects.
It is important to remember that comorbid disorders can mimic the symptoms of ADHD, so the presence and severity of any other medical condition should be taken into consideration when making an ADHD diagnosis. It is important to eliminate physical causes of the symptoms, including thyroid disorders or hearing and sight problems.
It's also important to note that some patients might be able reduce their ADHD symptoms by altering their diet. It is essential to consult a physician prior to eliminating any food. This could result in nutritional deficiencies, and should only be done under the supervision of a doctor or dietician. Another option is counseling which can help patients learn to manage their symptoms and establish better relationships with their families. Counseling can also assist spouses in understanding that the patient's actions are not necessarily indicative of a lack of affection or a deliberate act of wrongdoing.
Education
Both doctors and patients can be confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. It's not uncommon for other mental health disorders to coexist with the disorder, and certain medications and medical conditions can cause symptoms that resemble those of ADHD.
Many of these issues can be addressed with treatment or lifestyle adjustments. For instance, a person suffering from ADHD could benefit from changing their diet or taking supplements to improve his eating habits, for example. Behavioral therapy can teach him how to resist distractions, impulsiveness and improve his focus. A doctor may suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or the practice of mindfulness meditation that can help manage emotions and improve attention.
A thorough history of symptoms and a physical exam are important. A doctor can also assess patients for sleep apnea, hearing or thyroid problems, vision issues as well as lead poisoning, alcohol or drug abuse. These assessments will not only aid in determining the presence of an underlying disorder but also help reduce or eliminate the effects of other disorders that could contribute to ADHD-like behaviors.
The majority of stimulants are prescribed by doctors for ADHD. These include dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate as well as Concerta and Adderall. Nonstimulant drugs include clonidine and guanfacine. These blood pressure medication can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, but may take longer to work and can cause side effects such as heartburn, constipation, and low sex desire.
ADHD patients are often unable to remember appointments, arrive late to work, and make irrational decisions that can strain even the most patient of friends and family members. Couples therapy and classes focusing on improving communication skills can help sufferers establish stable relationships.
Diet, exercise and stress reduction all play a role in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with the condition have found that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements can help them, but it's important to consult a physician before attempting these treatments. Making these decisions without a physician's guidance could lead to nutritional deficiencies and health issues.