ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine, are the first treatment most doctors recommend. They can help regulate levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants can reduce symptoms, but they do so slower.
Psychotherapy, similar to cognitive behavioral therapy, aids adults to improve their planning and organizational abilities. Psychotherapy and coaching are also effective in improving social functioning.
Medicines
If you suffer from ADHD you may benefit from medications to alleviate your symptoms. Some people might be able to improve their condition by changing 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 treatment options. Certain adults with ADHD struggle to adhere to medication, but they should talk to their doctors and ask for assistance. Some medications are available over-the-counter and others require prescriptions.
Most ADHD medications work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. This reduces impulsivity, and improves concentration. The most well-known drugs are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. Although they are considered the most effective treatment for ADHD, they also have side effects. Cardiovascular problems are some of the most serious side effects. Stimulant medications can also cause tics such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications can also delay growth by a few months in teenagers and children.
Nonstimulant medications are prescribed to those who suffer from insufferable side-effects of stimulants, or who are at risk of developing heart disease. These medications include dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. They aren't as efficient as stimulants, however they are safe and don't have the potential for abuse as certain people experience with stimulant drugs.
You can attempt to lessen your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a planned schedule, making and sticking to a budget, enhancing your organizational skills, gaining knowledge about your condition and devising strategies to deal with your symptoms. Talk to a professional about the best strategies to manage your ADHD. You can also find a wealth of helpful resources on the website of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your relationships could be strained because of 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. natural add treatment can improve your relationships with your family members or friends by helping them understand your ADHD and telling them that your behavior is not malicious.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have significant social, emotional, and occupational consequences. These include lower academic success as well as higher rates of job loss and transfer, poor work performance as well as a higher number of car accidents, and higher rates of divorce than the general population (Spencer and colleagues 2007). Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, or abuse of substances. Those with comorbid conditions may be less responsive to stimulant medication (Barkley & Gordon, 2002).
A thorough patient history is vital, as many medical conditions can manifest similar to symptoms of ADHD. Patients with developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning must be carefully evaluated. The use of stimulants is not recommended for patients with active substance abuse or those suffering from certain medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, arrhythmias and tachycardia (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation involves teaching patients about their condition, including its effects on different areas of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can also improve self-esteem among patients who typically suffer from stigmas, such as being viewed as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to help patients learn how to organize their time and tasks and improve their ability to organize their lives. This will to reduce the risk of not attending appointments or making decisions impulsively which can lead to issues at work, school or in their private lives. This type of therapy may improve the relationship of a person with their children, spouse and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults who suffer from ADHD is aimed at helping people to change their negative behavior patterns. This type of therapy can be extremely effective in improving the functioning of those suffering from ADHD particularly when it is it is combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. Through educating patients and their loved ones about ADHD it will reduce the frequency at which they blame each other for the problems caused by a person's inability to control his or her behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to better communicate and resolve conflicts could help.
Counseling
A well-designed treatment plan will address the symptoms of ADHD and their effects on work, school, and family. It will include stimulant and nonstimulant drugs and psychosocial therapy, specifically cognitive behavioral 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 family and friends.
Stimulant medication is used to treat ADHD. They help to regulate and boost levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. There are a myriad of types of stimulant drugs, each with their own benefits and adverse effects. The two most common stimulants are dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate that are available under various names, such as Adderall and Ritalin. Viloxazine is a norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine enhances the amount of a brain chemical that transmits messages between brain cells. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are commonly used to treat ADHD in adults since they are more gradual in onset than stimulants. They also are available to people who can't use stimulants due to other health problems or who experience serious adverse effects.
It is crucial to keep in mind that comorbidities can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore, the presence and severity other conditions must be taken into consideration when diagnosing ADHD. It is also essential to rule out physical causes of the symptoms, like thyroid disorders or vision and hearing issues.
It's also worth noting that some patients may be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. But it's crucial to seek medical advice prior to cutting out any foods that could lead to nutritional deficiencies and should only be done with the assistance of a doctor or dietician. Another option is counseling which can help patients learn to manage their symptoms and develop better relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses understand that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign that they are unloving or malicious.
Education
Both doctors and patients can be confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. Other mental disorders may coexist with ADHD and certain medical conditions and medications may cause symptoms that mimic ADHD.
Treatment or lifestyle changes can resolve many of these issues. For instance, a person suffering from ADHD may benefit from adjusting their diet or taking supplements to improve their eating habits, for instance. Behavioral therapy will help him learn how to resist distractions, impulsiveness and improve his focus. A doctor might suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or the practice of mindfulness meditation that can help manage emotions and improve attention.
A thorough history of symptoms is essential as is a physical exam. A doctor can also examine a patient for sleep apnea and hearing and thyroid problems, vision problems as well as lead poisoning, drug or alcohol abuse. These assessments can not only help determine the presence of a underlying disorder but also reduce or eliminate the effects of other disorders which can contribute to the ADHD-like behavior.
Most commonly, stimulants are prescribed by doctors to treat ADHD. They include dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate as well as Concerta and Adderall. Nonstimulant drugs might include guanfacine or clonidine, which are blood pressure medications that can reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity, but they could take longer to start working and could cause adverse effects such as constipation, heartburn and low sex drive.
ADHD patients are often unable to remember appointments, arrive late to work and make irrational choices that can cause stress to even the most patient of friends and family members. Couples therapy or classes that help improve communication skills can help patients develop solid relationships.
Exercise, diet and stress reduction can all be a factor in managing ADHD symptoms. Certain people with ADHD have found that avoiding certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it's important to consult a doctor prior to trying any of these treatments. Making these decisions without a physician's guidance could lead to nutritional deficiencies and health issues.