ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, are the first treatment most doctors recommend. They help balance levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants help to reduce symptoms, but they work slower.
Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy can help adults develop techniques to improve organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy can improve social functioning.
Medications
If you suffer from ADHD you may benefit from medication to treat your symptoms. Some people may be able to improve their condition through a change in their diet or taking supplements, but these should only be used under a doctor’s guidance. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or family counseling are all possible treatments. Many adults suffering from Adhd Treatment for adults online struggle to stay on their medication. They should consult their doctor and request assistance. Some medications are available over-the-counter and others require the prescription of a doctor.
The majority of ADHD medications work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. This reduces impulsivity and improves concentration. The most popular medications are stimulants like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. Although they are considered the most effective treatment for ADHD however, they can also cause side effects. Cardiovascular problems are some of the most serious adverse effects. Stimulant medication may also cause the appearance of tics, like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also delay growth by a few months in children and teenagers.
Nonstimulant medications can be prescribed to those who suffer from uncontrollable adverse effects from stimulants or are at risk of heart problems. These medications are primarily dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. They’re not as effective as stimulants, however they are safe and don’t have the risk of 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, improving organizational skills, learning more about your disorder, and developing strategies to manage your symptoms. It is important to speak with an expert to learn the best method to manage your condition, and you can find many useful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your ADHD symptoms can strain your relationships. You can improve your relationships by speaking to a therapist or taking classes on conflict resolution. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how ADHD affects you and recognizing that some of your behaviors are not intentionally mean-spirited.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can result in significant emotional, social, and occupational consequences. These include lower academic achievement and higher rates of job loss and transfer, and poor work performance. Additionally, there are more car accidents, and higher divorce rates than the general population. The comorbidity of anxiety, depression and addiction to substances is common among adults with ADHD. Patients with comorbid disorders could have a harder time responding to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
A detailed patient history is crucial, as a variety of medical conditions may have symptoms similar to those of ADHD. Patients with developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning should be more carefully evaluated. Patients with active substance abuse, or those with certain medical conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure should refrain from receiving stimulant therapy (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of teaching patients about their condition, including its effects on different aspects of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can help patients improve their self-esteem, especially those who are often viewed as being lazy or less intelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to teach patients how to organize their time and tasks, improving their ability to organize their lives. This can help to reduce the risk of not attending appointments or making impulsive choices that can cause issues at work, school or in their personal lives. This kind of therapy could also help improve the effectiveness of an individual’s interactions with spouses, children and coworkers.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is focused on helping people modify their behavior patterns that are negative. This type of therapy is extremely efficient in improving the performance of people with ADHD, particularly when combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. By educating patients and loved ones about ADHD it can decrease the frequency at which they blame each other for the issues caused by the inability of a patient to control his or her behavior. Classes that train couples and families how to communicate more effectively and develop conflict resolution skills can also help.
Counseling
A good treatment for add adhd in adults plan for ADHD will focus on the symptoms and their impact on family, work, and school. It should include stimulant and nonstimulant medication and psychosocial therapy, specifically cognitive behavioral 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 family and friends.
Stimulant drugs are used to treat ADHD. They regulate and increase levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. There are a myriad of types of stimulant drugs, each with their own benefits and side-effects. The two most popular stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine, which are available under various names, such as Adderall and Ritalin. Other medications used to treat treating adhd and depression in adults 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 since they are less likely to cause symptoms than stimulants. They are also available to those who are unable to take stimulants due to health issues or severe side effects.
It is important to be aware that comorbid conditions can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore the presence and severity of other conditions should be considered when diagnosing ADHD. It is important to eliminate physical causes of the symptoms, for example thyroid disorders or hearing and sight problems.
It’s also important to note that some patients may be able reduce their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. However, it’s essential to seek medical advice prior to cutting out any food which could cause nutritional deficiencies. This should only be done with the help of a physician or dietician. Counseling can help patients cope with their symptoms and improve their relationships with their family. Counseling can help spouses understand that the patient’s behavior is not necessarily a sign that they are averse to love or malicious.
Education
Both patients and doctors can be confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. It’s not uncommon for other mental health conditions to coexist with the disorder, and certain medications and medical conditions can cause symptoms that resemble those of ADHD.
Lifestyle or treatment changes can resolve many of these issues. Someone suffering from ADHD might benefit from taking supplements or adjusting their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy can teach the person to be more resistant to distractions and impulsiveness, improve his focus and develop self-control. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness meditation practice that can help control emotions and increase attention.
A thorough history of the symptoms is crucial and so is a physical examination. A doctor can also examine a patient for sleep apnea, hearing and vision problems, thyroid disorders or lead poisoning as well as alcohol or drug abuse. In addition to determining the existence of a root cause, these tests can help rule out or lessen the effects of other conditions that could cause an individual’s ADHD-like behavior.
When a doctor recommends medication for ADHD, the most common ones are stimulants, like dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, including methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant medications could include guanfacine and clonidine which are blood pressure medications that can help with hyperactivity and impulsivity, but they might take longer to begin working and may cause adverse effects such as constipation, heartburn, and low sexual drive.
People with ADHD often miss appointments and are often late to work, and make irrational choices which can strain the patience of even the most patient family members and friends. Couples therapy or classes to improve communication skills can help patients establish stable relationships.
Exercise, diet and stress reduction all play a role in managing ADHD symptoms. Certain people suffering from ADHD have reported 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. If you decide to do this without consulting a doctor it could result in nutritional deficiency and other health issues.
