ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate. They can help regulate the levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Antidepressants, as well as Atomoxetine (Strattera), can also reduce symptoms but work more slowly.
Psychotherapy, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, helps adults develop their planning and organization skills. Coaching and psychotherapy can enhance social functioning.
Medications
If you have ADHD and are suffering from it, you could benefit from medications to alleviate the symptoms. Some people notice they feel better after altering their diets or taking supplements. However they should only be used under the guidance of a physician. natural add treatment include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy (CBT), and counseling for families. Some adults with 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 prescriptions.
The majority of ADHD medications are based on increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. This reduces impulsivity and increases concentration. Some of the most popular medications are stimulants such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. Although they are considered the most effective treatment for ADHD, they also have side negative effects. Heart problems are among the most serious adverse effects. Stimulant medications can also cause antics, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth in children and adolescents by just a few months.
Nonstimulant drugs are prescribed to patients who experience intolerable side-effects from stimulants, or those at risk of developing heart disease. These medications include dopamine reuptake inhibitors, norepinephrine or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants but are safe and don't offer the risk of abuse that some people experience with stimulant drugs.
You can decrease your ADHD symptoms by following an established schedule, making and sticking to a strict budget, improving your organization skills, gaining knowledge about your disorder and creating strategies to manage your symptoms. It is recommended to talk with an expert to learn the best approach to managing your condition. You will find plenty of helpful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your relationships can be strained by your ADHD symptoms. Talking to a therapist about the way you interact with your spouse or co-workers and taking classes to learn conflict resolution can be helpful. You can improve your relationships with your spouse or co-workers by helping them understand your ADHD and by making them aware that your behavior isn't malicious.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood has significant emotional, social and occupational consequences. This includes lower academic performance as well as higher rates of job failure and transfer and poor performance at work. Additionally, there are more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population. The comorbidity of anxiety, depression and addiction to drugs is common among adults with ADHD. People with comorbid conditions might have a harder time responding to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon, 2002).
It is essential to take an in-depth background of the patient because a wide range of medical conditions could manifest symptoms similar to ADHD. Patients suffering from developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning must be carefully evaluated. Stimulant treatment is contraindicated in patients who are addicted to drugs or with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, arrhythmias and tachycardia (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy is a form of therapy that includes behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for adults with ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of educating patients about their disorder and its effects on their lives. Psychoeducation can also improve self-esteem among patients who typically suffer from stigmas, such as being viewed as lazy or less intelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to help patients learn better ways of organizing their time and tasks and improve their skills in organizing. This will reduce the chance of missing appointments or making impulsive choices that can cause problems in the workplace, at school or with their personal lives. This type of therapy can also help improve the effectiveness of one's interactions with their spouses, children and coworkers.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults who suffer from ADHD is geared towards helping individuals change their behavior patterns. This kind of therapy is very effective at improving the functioning of people suffering from ADHD especially when it is combined with psychoeducation for families and family therapy. The process of educating patients and close friends about ADHD can help reduce the frequency of blaming one another for the issues caused by the person's inability to control his or her behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to communicate more effectively and resolve conflicts can be helpful.
Counseling
A well-designed treatment plan will address the signs of ADHD and their effects on school, work, and family. It will include stimulant and nonstimulant medications as along with psychosocial treatment, specifically cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change the way they think about their behavior. It also teaches patients how to manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
Stimulant drugs are used to treat ADHD. They help to regulate and boost levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They have been around for a long period of time, and there are many types of medications, each with its own benefits and side effects. The two most common stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine that are available under many different names, such as Adderall and Ritalin. Other medications that treat ADHD are atomoxetine. It works 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. Viloxazine and Atomoxetine are frequently used to treat ADHD in adults since they are more gradual in onset than stimulants. They are also available for those who aren't able to use stimulants due to other health issues or have serious adverse effects.
It's important to recognize that comorbid disorders can mimic the symptoms of ADHD Therefore, the severity and frequency of any other conditions should be taken into consideration when determining the ADHD diagnosis. It is essential to determine the cause of the symptoms, including thyroid disorders, hearing or sight problems.
It's also worth noting 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 foods. This could result in nutritional deficiencies and should be done under the guidance of a dietician or doctor. Another option is counseling which can help patients learn to cope with their symptoms and build better relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses realize that the patient's behavior not necessarily a sign that they are unloving or malicious.
Education
Both patients and doctors are susceptible to being misled 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 may cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD.
Many of these issues can be addressed with treatment or lifestyle modifications. A person suffering from ADHD might benefit by taking supplements or altering their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy will help him learn how to resist distractions, impulsiveness, and improve the focus of his mind. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, both of which can aid in controlling emotions and improve concentration.
A thorough history of the symptoms is important, as is a physical examination. A physician can also evaluate a patient for sleep apnea, hearing or thyroid problems, vision problems, lead poisoning and alcohol or drug abuse. These tests can not only help determine the presence of a underlying disorder but also decrease or eliminate the effects of other disorders that could contribute to ADHD-like behaviors.
The majority of stimulants are prescribed by doctors 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 impulsivity and hyperactivity, but they could take longer to begin working and might have adverse effects such as constipation, heartburn, and low sex 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 of family and friends members. Couples therapy and classes that concentrate on improving communication skills can help patients develop stable relationships.
Diet, exercise, and stress reduction all can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with the condition have discovered that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements aids them, but it's crucial to consult a physician before trying these therapies. Making these decisions without a physician's advice could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health problems.