ADHD Treatments For Adults
The majority of doctors recommend stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate. They can help regulate levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine (Strattera), can also reduce symptoms but work more slowly.
Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults learn techniques to improve organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy can enhance social functioning.
Medications
If you suffer from ADHD, you can benefit from medications to treat your symptoms. Some people find they feel better after changing their diet or taking supplements. However, these should only ever be taken under the supervision of a doctor. Other treatments include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and family counseling. Certain adults suffering from ADHD struggle to adhere to their medication. They should speak to their doctor and request assistance. Some medications can be purchased over-the-counter while others need prescriptions.
Most ADHD medications work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. This decreases impulsivity and increases concentration. The most popular drugs are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. While they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD but they can also trigger negative side consequences. Cardiovascular problems are some of the more serious side effects. In addition, stimulants can cause tics such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth in children and adolescents by a few months.
Nonstimulant medicines are prescribed for people who have uncontrollable adverse effects from stimulants or are at risk of developing heart problems. These are mostly dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. They aren't as efficient as stimulants, however they are safe and don't carry the potential for abuse that some people are prone to with stimulant medications.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a well-planned schedule, establishing and adhering to a budget, enhancing your organizational skills, gaining knowledge about your disorder, and developing strategies to deal with your symptoms. Consult a professional regarding the best ways to manage your disorder. You can also find many helpful resources on the website of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your relationships could be strained by your ADHD symptoms. You can improve your relationships by speaking with a therapist and taking conflict resolution classes. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how ADHD affects you and recognizing that some of your actions are not intentionally mean-spirited.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have significant emotional, social, and occupational repercussions. This includes lower academic performance, more frequent failure to get a job and transfer, poor performance at work as well as a higher number of car accidents, and higher rates of divorce than the general population (Spencer et al 2007). Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety or substance abuse. Those with comorbid conditions may be less responsive to stimulant medication (Barkley & Gordon, 2002).
A thorough patient history is crucial, as a variety of medical conditions can manifest similar to symptoms of ADHD. Patients suffering from seizures, developmental disorders sleep apnea, thyroid disorders must be assessed more carefully. Patients who abuse substances or those suffering from particular medical conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure are contraindicated from receiving stimulant therapy (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy encompasses behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of informing patients about their disorder and the effects it has on their lives. Iam Psychiatry can also aid in improving self-esteem for patients who frequently face stigma, such as being perceived as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
The goal of behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD, is to improve their organizational skills and help them learn better ways to manage their time. This can help reduce the risk of missing appointments and making decisions impulsively that could result in problems at school, at work, or with their personal lives. This kind of therapy can improve the relationship of a person with their spouse, children and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults with ADHD is aimed at helping people to change their negative behavior patterns. This type of therapy is extremely efficient in improving the performance of those suffering from ADHD, especially if coupled with psychoeducation and family therapy. Informing patients and significant others about ADHD can help decrease the frequency of blaming one another for problems caused by the patient's inability to control their own behaviors. Classes that teach families and couples how to communicate more effectively and resolve conflicts could help.
Counseling
A well-designed treatment strategy will address the symptoms of ADHD and their effects on school, work, and family. It includes non-stimulant and stimulant medication, as well as psychosocial treatment, specifically cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change their thinking about their behavior. It also teaches them skills to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with family and friends.
Stimulant drugs used to treat ADHD boost and balance levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They have been around for a long time and there are a variety of kinds of medications, each with its own benefits and side effects. The two most frequently prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate as well as dextroamphetamine. These are sold under many brands, including Ritalin and Adderall. Other drugs used to treat ADHD are atomoxetine, which helps by increasing the amount of a chemical that is present in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells, and viloxazine, 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. They also are available to people who can't take stimulants because of other health issues or experience severe side effects.
It is crucial to keep in mind that comorbid conditions can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore, the presence and severity other conditions should be considered when diagnosing ADHD. It is essential to determine the cause of the symptoms, including thyroid disorders or hearing and sight problems.
It's also worth noting that some patients may be able reduce their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. It is essential to consult a doctor before eliminating any foods. This could result in nutritional deficiencies and should be done with the guidance of a dietician or doctor. Another option is counseling, which can assist patients in learning to cope with their symptoms and establish 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. Other mental disorders can coexist with ADHD and certain medical conditions and medications may cause symptoms that resemble ADHD.
Many of these issues can be resolved by treatment or lifestyle changes. Someone suffering from ADHD could benefit from taking supplements or changing their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy will teach him how to manage distractions, impulsiveness, and improve his concentration. A doctor might suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness meditation practice that can help control emotions and increase focus.
A thorough history of the symptoms and a physical examination are crucial. A physician can also check for sleep apnea, as well as other conditions like issues with vision and hearing, thyroid disorders, alcohol or drug abuse and lead poisoning. In addition to determining if there is a possibility of a root cause, these evaluations can help rule out or lessen the effects of other conditions that could cause a patient's ADHD-like behavior.
If a doctor prescribes medication for ADHD the most commonly prescribed ones are stimulants like dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant drugs include clonidine and Guanfacine. These blood pressure medications can reduce the impulsivity and hyperactivity, but they can take longer to work and may cause side effects such as heartburn, constipation, and low sexual desire.
ADHD patients tend to forget appointments, show up late for work and make irrational choices which can stress even the most patient of family and friends members. Couples therapy and classes that focus on improving communication skills can help sufferers establish stable relationships.
Exercise, diet, and stress reduction all can help in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have found that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements aids them, however it's vital to consult a physician before trying these methods. If you do this without consulting a doctor it could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.