ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants, such as amphetamine and methylphenidate. They can help regulate the levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine (Strattera), can also help alleviate symptoms, but they work slower.
Psychotherapy, similar to cognitive behavioral therapy, helps adults to improve their organizational and planning abilities. Psychotherapy and coaching can also improve social functioning.
Medications
If you suffer from ADHD you may benefit from medication to treat the symptoms. Some people might discover that they improve by changing their diet or taking supplements, but these should only be utilized under a doctor's guidance. Other treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and counseling for families. Some adults with ADHD struggle to adhere to their medication. They should talk to their doctor and seek assistance. Certain medications are available over-the-counter while others need prescription.
Most ADHD medications help by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. This decreases impulsivity and improves concentration. Some of the most common medications are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. These are considered to be the most effective for ADHD treatment, but they can cause side effects. Cardiovascular issues are among the most serious side effects. The stimulant medication can also trigger tics, such as eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also delay growth by a few months in teenagers and children.
Nonstimulant medicines are prescribed to patients who suffer from insufferable side-effects of stimulants, or who are at risk of developing heart disease. These medications are primarily dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. They're not as effective as stimulants, but they are safe and don't have the potential for abuse as certain people experience with stimulant drugs.
You can decrease your ADHD symptoms by adhering to the prescribed schedule, creating and sticking to a strict budget, improving your organization skills, gaining knowledge about your condition and implementing strategies to address your symptoms. It is recommended to talk with an expert to find out the best way to manage your condition, and you can find a wealth of information on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your relationships can be strained due to your ADHD symptoms. You can improve your relationships by speaking to a therapist or taking classes on conflict resolution. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how your ADHD affects you and recognizing that some of your actions are not intentionally mean-spirited.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can result in significant emotional, social, and occupational repercussions. These include lower academic success, more frequent failure to get a job and transfer, poor work performance, more car accidents and higher rates of divorce than the general population (Spencer and co. 2007). Adults with ADHD are more likely to be suffering from anxiety, depression, or substance abuse. People with comorbid conditions might be more difficult to respond to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon, 2002).
A thorough history of the patient is vital, as many medical conditions can have symptoms similar to those of ADHD. Patients suffering from developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning should be carefully evaluated. Patients who are active in their addiction to substances or with certain medical conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure are not recommended from receiving stimulant therapy (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy includes behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for adults with ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of educating patients about their disorder and the effects it has on their lives. Psychoeducation can help patients build their self-esteem, especially those who are often stigmatized as being inept or unintelligent.
The goal of behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is to enhance their abilities to manage their time and teach them better ways to organize their time. This will reduce the likelihood of missing appointments or making decisions impulsively that could cause problems at school, work or in their personal life. This type of therapy can also improve the effectiveness of a person's interactions with their spouses, children and co-workers.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is focused on helping individuals to change their behavior patterns that are negative. This type of therapy can be extremely efficient in improving the performance of those suffering from ADHD, especially if coupled with psychoeducation and family therapy. By educating add treatment natural and their loved ones about ADHD it will reduce the amount of time they blame each other for the problems caused by the inability of a patient to manage his or her behavior. Classes that teach families and couples how to communicate more effectively and manage conflicts can be helpful.
Counseling
A successful treatment plan for ADHD will focus on the symptoms and their impacts on the family, work, and school. It will include non-stimulant and stimulant medication as in addition to psychosocial treatment, specifically cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change the way they think about their behavior. It also teaches them skills to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
Stimulant medication is used to treat ADHD. They regulate and increase levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. There are a myriad of types of stimulant medications, all with their own benefits and adverse effects. The two most commonly used stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine that are available under various brand names such as Adderall and Ritalin. Viloxazine is a selective reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine boosts the quantity of a brain chemical that transmits messages between brain cells. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are used to treat ADHD in adults, since they have a less gradual onset than stimulants. They are also available to people who cannot take stimulants due other medical conditions or serious adverse effects.
It is important to remember that comorbid conditions can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore the severity and presence of other conditions must be taken into consideration when diagnosing ADHD. It is important to determine the cause of the symptoms, including thyroid disorders, hearing and sight problems.
It's also worth noting that some patients may be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by altering their diet. It is important to consult a physician prior to eliminating any food. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies, and should only be done under the guidance of a dietician or doctor. Counseling can also help patients manage their symptoms, and also improve their relationships with their families. Counseling can also help spouses understand that the patient's behaviors are not necessarily indicative of a lack of affection or willful misconduct.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be confusing for both patients and doctors. It's not uncommon for other mental health disorders to coexist the disorder, and certain medications and medical conditions may cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD.
Lifestyle or treatment changes can resolve many of these issues. A person suffering from ADHD might benefit from taking supplements or adjusting their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy could help the person to be more resistant to the temptations and impulsiveness that can distract him, improve his focus and develop self-control. A doctor may suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness-based meditation practice that can help control emotions and improve attention.
A thorough history of symptoms is important and so is a physical examination. Full Posting can also assess patients for sleep apnea, hearing and thyroid problems, vision problems or lead poisoning as well as drug or alcohol abuse. In addition to determining if there is a possibility of an underlying cause these tests can help rule out or reduce the effects of other conditions that could cause an individual's ADHD-like behavior.
The majority of stimulants are prescribed by physicians for ADHD. They include methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine Concerta and Adderall. Nonstimulant medications could include clonidine or guanfacine, which are blood pressure medicines that can help with hyperactivity and impulsivity, however they might take longer to kick in and may cause adverse effects such as constipation, heartburn and low sexual drive.
ADHD patients often forget appointments, arrive 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 concentrate on improving communication skills can help people develop stable relationships.
Diet, exercise and stress reduction could all play a part in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have found that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it's essential to consult with a physician prior to attempting any of these therapies. If you do this without a doctor's guidance could lead to nutritional deficiencies and other health problems.