ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants, such as amphetamine and methylphenidate are the first treatment most doctors recommend. They can help regulate the levels of two chemical messengers inside the brain. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine (Strattera), can also reduce symptoms but work slower.
Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, aids adults to improve their planning and organizational skills. Coaching and psychotherapy can also help improve social functioning.
Medicines
You can take medications to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people find they feel better after changing their diet or taking supplements. However they should only be administered under the supervision of a physician. Other treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and counseling for families. Some adults with ADHD struggle to adhere to their medication. They should consult their doctor and request assistance. Some medications are available over-the-counter and some require prescriptions.
Most ADHD medications are based on increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. This reduces impulsivity, and improves concentration. Some of the most common medications are stimulants such as dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. Although they are considered the most effective treatment for ADHD, they also have adverse consequences. Heart problems are among the more serious side effects. In addition, stimulants can cause antics, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications can also delay growth by a few month in children and teenagers.
Nonstimulant drugs are often prescribed to those who suffer from intolerable side effects from stimulants or are at risk of developing heart issues. These medications are primarily norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These aren't as effective as stimulants, however they are safe and don't have the potential for abuse as some people are prone to with stimulant medication.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms by following the prescribed schedule, creating and adhering to a strict budget, improving your organization skills, understanding about your condition and implementing strategies to manage your symptoms. You should talk to a professional to learn about the best method to manage your condition. You can find a wealth of information on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your ADHD symptoms can strain your relationships. Talking with a therapist about how you interact with your family members or friends and attending classes that teach conflict resolution can help. You can improve your relationships with your family members or friends by having them understand your ADHD and by telling them that your behavior is not malicious.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have significant social, emotional and occupational consequences. This includes lower academic performance as well as higher rates of job failure 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 suffer from depression, anxiety or addiction to drugs. Patients with comorbid disorders could have a harder time responding to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
It is crucial to obtain an extensive background of the patient because a wide range of medical conditions could manifest symptoms similar to ADHD. Patients with seizures, developmental disorders, sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning must be careful to be evaluated. Treatment with stimulants is not recommended in patients with active substance abuse or with certain medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure, tachycardia and arrhythmias (Greenhill 2001).).
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. adhd untreated in adults is the process of educating patients about their condition and its impact on their lives. Psychoeducation can help patients improve their self-esteem, particularly those who are often viewed as being inept or unintelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to teach patients better ways to manage their time and activities and improve their organizational skills. This can help reduce the risk of missing appointments and making decisions impulsively that could create problems at the workplace, at school or with their personal lives. This kind of therapy can also improve the effectiveness of an individual's interactions with children, spouses and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is aimed at helping people change their negative behaviour patterns. This type of therapy is very effective at improving the functioning of people suffering from ADHD especially when it is combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. The process of educating patients and loved ones about ADHD can help decrease the frequency of blaming each other for the problems caused by the patient's inability to manage his or her own behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to communicate better and resolve conflicts could be beneficial.
Counseling
A good treatment plan for ADHD will focus on the symptoms and their impacts on the family, work and school. It includes non-stimulant and stimulant medications as well as psychosocial treatment, specifically cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change their thinking about their behavior. It also teaches patients how to manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
Stimulant medications are 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 negative side effects. The two most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. These are sold under many brands, including Ritalin and Adderall. Viloxazine is a selective reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine enhances the amount of a chemical in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells. Viloxazine and Atomoxetine are frequently used to treat ADHD in adults due to the fact that they are more gradual in onset than stimulants. They are also available to those who aren't able to take stimulants because of other health issues or suffer from serious adverse effects.
It is important to remember that comorbidities can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore the severity and presence of other conditions must be taken into consideration when diagnosing ADHD. It is essential to rule out physical causes of the symptoms, for example thyroid disorders, hearing or sight problems.
It's also worth noting that some patients may be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. It is important to consult a physician prior to eliminating any foods. This could lead to nutritional deficiencies and should only be done with the guidance of a physician or dietician. Another option is counseling which can help patients learn to manage their symptoms and establish better relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses realize that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign they are unloving or malicious.
Education
Both doctors and patients are often confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. It's not uncommon for different mental health disorders to coexist the disorder, and some medications and medical conditions can cause symptoms similar to the symptoms of ADHD.
Many of these problems can be solved with treatment or lifestyle modifications. Someone suffering from ADHD could benefit from taking supplements or adjusting their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy can teach him to resist distractions and impulsiveness, improve the focus of his mind and develop self-control. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, both of which can aid in controlling emotions and improve concentration.
A thorough medical history and a physical examination are essential. A doctor can also examine the patient for sleep apnea, hearing and vision problems, thyroid disorders or lead poisoning as well as drug or alcohol abuse. These evaluations can not only help determine the presence of an underlying disorder, but also reduce or eliminate the effects of other disorders that could contribute to ADHD-like behaviors.
When a doctor recommends medication for ADHD the most commonly prescribed ones are stimulants, like dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant medications could include guanfacine and clonidine 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 sex drive.
ADHD patients tend to forget appointments, show up late for work, and make irrational decisions 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 sufferers build relationships that are stable.
Diet, exercise and stress reduction can all play a part in managing ADHD symptoms. Certain people with ADHD have found that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it is crucial to speak with a doctor prior to trying any of these methods. If you try this without consulting a doctor, it could lead to nutritional deficiency and other health issues.