ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, are the first treatment that doctors recommend. They aid in balancing the levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants can alleviate symptoms, but they do so more slowly.
Psychotherapy, similar to cognitive behavioral therapy, helps adults develop their planning and organization abilities. Coaching and psychotherapy are effective in improving social functioning.
Medications
There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people are more comfortable after changing their diets or taking supplements. However they should only be taken under the supervision of a medical professional. Other treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as family counseling. Many adults suffering from ADHD struggle to stay on their medication. They should talk to their doctor and request assistance. Certain medications are available over the counter, while others require a prescription.
Most ADHD medications work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. This reduces impulsivity, and improves concentration. Some of the most popular medications are stimulants, like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. Although they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD but they can also trigger side effects. Some of these side effects could be serious, for instance, cardiovascular problems. In addition, stimulants can cause the tics of blinking eyes or throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth by a few month in teenagers and children.
Nonstimulant medicines are prescribed for people who have intolerable side effects from stimulants or are at risk of developing heart problems. These medications are mostly norepinephrine, 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 have with stimulant drugs.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms by following a schedule, creating and sticking to the strict guidelines of a budget, enhancing your organization skills, understanding about your disorder and creating strategies to manage your symptoms. Consult a professional regarding the best ways to manage your disorder. You will also find numerous useful resources on the website of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your relationships may be strained due to your ADHD symptoms. Talking with a therapist about how you interact with your coworkers or spouse and taking classes that teach conflict resolution can help. 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 has significant occupational, emotional and social consequences. These include lower academic success and higher rates of job loss and transfer, poor performance at work, 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 less responsive to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon, 2002).
It is important to have an in-depth background of the patient since a variety of medical conditions may manifest symptoms similar to ADHD. Patients with developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea thyroid disorders and lead poisoning must be cautiously assessed. Patients who abuse substances, or those with particular medical conditions like heart disease or high blood pressure are not recommended from receiving stimulant treatment (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy is a form of therapy that includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of educating patients about their disorder and its effects on their lives. Psychoeducation can help patients boost their self-esteem, especially those who are often viewed as being inept or unintelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to help patients learn better ways of organizing their time and tasks as well as improving their ability to organize their lives. This will reduce the chance of missing appointments and making decisions that are impulsive and could create problems at school, at work, or with their personal lives. This kind of therapy can also improve the effectiveness of an individual's interactions with spouses, children and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults who suffer from ADHD is designed to help people change their negative behaviors. This kind of therapy can be very effective in improving the functioning of those with ADHD especially when combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. By educating patients and loved family members about ADHD it can decrease the frequency at which they blame each other for the issues caused by a patient's inability manage his or her behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to communicate more effectively and to develop techniques for conflict resolution can be beneficial.
Counseling
A good treatment plan will address the symptoms of ADHD and their effects on school, work and the family. It should include stimulant and nonstimulant medications as well as psychosocial therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT assists patients to alter their mental outlook on their behavior. It also helps patients learn to manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with family and friends.
Stimulant medications are used to treat ADHD. They help to regulate and boost levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. There are a myriad of types of stimulant medications, each with their own advantages and side-effects. The two most frequently prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine, which are available under a variety of brand names including Ritalin and Adderall. Other drugs used to treat ADHD include atomoxetine, which is a stimulant that increases the amount of a chemical in the brain that passes messages between brain cells and viloxazine which is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Viloxazine and Atomoxetine are frequently used to treat ADHD in adults because they are more gradual in onset than stimulants. These medications are also available for those who cannot take stimulants due to health issues or severe side effects.
It is important to be aware that comorbidities can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore the severity and presence of other conditions should be considered when diagnosing ADHD. It is important to eliminate physical causes of the symptoms, for example thyroid disorders, hearing and sight problems.
It's also important to note that some patients might be able reduce their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. It's important to consult with a doctor prior to eliminating any food. This could result in nutritional deficiencies and should only be done under the supervision of a physician or dietician. Another option is counseling which can assist patients in learning to cope with their symptoms and develop stronger relationships with their families. adhd untreated in adults can help spouses realize that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign that they are averse to love or malicious.
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 some medications and medical conditions can cause symptoms that resemble those of ADHD.
Lifestyle changes or treatment can solve a lot of these issues. A person with ADHD might benefit from adjusting diet or taking supplements to improve his eating habits, for instance. Behavioral therapy could help him to resist 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, both of which can help manage emotions and increase attention.
A thorough history of symptoms and a physical examination are important. A doctor can also assess patients for sleep apnea, hearing or thyroid problems, vision problems as well as lead poisoning, drug or alcohol abuse. In addition to determining the presence of an underlying cause these tests can help identify or reduce the effects of other disorders that could cause a patient's ADHD-like behavior.
If a doctor suggests medication for ADHD The most popular medications are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant drugs might include guanfacine and clonidine which are blood pressure drugs that can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, however they could take longer to begin working and could cause adverse effects such as heartburn, constipation and low sexual drive.
People suffering from ADHD often have trouble keeping appointments, are late for work, and make irrational choices that strain the patience of even the most tolerant friends and relatives. Couples therapy and classes that focus on improving communication skills can help sufferers develop stable relationships.
Exercise, diet and stress reduction all can help in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have discovered that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it is crucial to speak with a doctor prior to attempting any of these methods. Making these decisions without a physician's advice could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health problems.