ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine. They help balance the levels of two chemical messengers inside the brain. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine (Strattera), can also reduce symptoms, but they do so more slowly.
Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults learn skills to improve organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy can enhance social functioning.
Medicines
There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people might discover that they improve through a change in their diet or taking supplements, but these should only be used under the guidance of a physician. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or family counseling are all viable treatment options. Some adults with ADHD are unable to stay on medication, but they should talk with their doctors and ask for help. Certain medications are available over the counter, while others require prescriptions.
Most ADHD medications are based on increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. This decreases impulsivity and improves concentration. Some of the most common drugs are stimulants like dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. While they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD however, they can also cause side negative effects. Heart problems are among the more serious adverse effects. In addition, stimulants can cause tics such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth in adolescents and children by a few months.
Nonstimulant drugs are often prescribed for people who have adverse reactions to stimulants that are not tolerated or are at risk of developing heart problems. These are typically norepinephrine, dopamine reuptake inhibitors 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 many people have with stimulant drugs.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms by following the prescribed schedule, creating and sticking to an exact budget, enhancing your organization skills, understanding about your disorder and developing strategies to address your symptoms. Consult a professional regarding the best methods to manage your ADHD. You can also find a wealth of useful resources on the website of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your ADHD symptoms can cause stress in your relationships. Talking with a therapist about how you interact with your spouse or co-workers and attending classes that teach conflict resolution can help. You can improve your relationships with your spouse or co-workers by letting them know about your ADHD and by making them aware that your behavior isn’t malicious.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can result in significant emotional, social, and occupational consequences. These include lower academic success as well as more frequent failure to get a job and transfer, poor work performance as well as a higher number of car accidents, and higher divorce rates than the general population (Spencer and co. 2007). The comorbidity of anxiety, depression and substance abuse are common in adults with ADHD. Those with comorbid conditions may be more difficult to respond to stimulant medication (Barkley & Gordon 2002).
It is essential to take an extensive background of the patient because a wide range of medical conditions could manifest symptoms similar to ADHD. Patients with developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea, thyroid disorders and lead poisoning must be carefully evaluated. Stimulant treatment is contraindicated in those who abuse drugs or in those with certain medical conditions, like heart disease, high blood pressure, arrhythmias and tachycardia (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of informing patients about their condition and its impact on their lives. Psychoeducation can also improve self-esteem in patients who often suffer from stigmas, such as being viewed as lazy or less intelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to help patients learn better ways to manage their time and work and improve their skills in organizing. This can reduce the likelihood of missing appointments or making decisions impulsively that can cause difficulties at work, school or in their personal lives. This type of therapy could improve the relationship of a person with their family, friends, spouse and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is focused on helping people modify their behavior patterns that are harmful to them. This type of therapy can be extremely effective in improving the functioning of those with ADHD especially when it is combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. Educating patients and their loved ones about ADHD can reduce the likelihood of blaming one another for the issues caused by the patient’s inability manage his or her own behaviors. Classes that teach couples and families how to get diagnosed and treated for adhd to communicate more effectively and resolve conflicts can help.
Counseling
A successful treatment plan for ADHD will address the symptoms and their effects on work, family, and school. It should include stimulant and nonstimulant medication and psychosocial therapy, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT assists patients in changing their way of thinking about their behavior. It also teaches them how to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
Stimulant medications used to treat ADHD boost and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They’ve been around for a long period of time, and there are a variety of types of medications each with its distinct advantages and negative effects. The two most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. They are available under a variety of brand names, including Ritalin and Adderall. Other medications used to treat ADHD are atomoxetine. It works by increasing the amount of a substance in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells, and viloxazine which is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are commonly used to treat ADHD in adults because they are less likely to cause symptoms than stimulants. They are also available for those who are unable to use stimulants due to other health problems or who experience severe side effects.
It is important to remember that comorbid conditions can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore the severity and presence of other conditions should be considered when diagnosing ADHD. It’s important to determine the cause of the symptoms, including thyroid disorders, hearing or sight problems.
Certain patients may be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by making changes to their diet. However, it’s important to seek medical advice prior to eliminating any food items that could result in nutritional deficiencies and should only be done with the assistance of a physician or dietician. Counseling can also assist patients manage their symptoms, and also improve their 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
The diagnosis of ADHD can be confusing for both doctors and patients. It’s not uncommon for other mental health disorders to coexist the disorder. Additionally, certain medications and medical conditions may cause symptoms that resemble the symptoms of ADHD.
Lifestyle or treatment changes can resolve many of these issues. For instance, a person suffering from ADHD might benefit from adjusting diet or taking supplements to improve their eating habits, for example. Behavioral therapy can teach him to resist distractions and impulsiveness, increase his concentration and self-control. A doctor might suggest cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, both of which can aid in regulating emotions and increase concentration.
A thorough history of symptoms and a physical examination are essential. A physician can also check for sleep apnea as well as other conditions like hearing and vision issues thyroid disorders, alcohol or drug abuse as well as lead poisoning. In addition to determining the presence of a root cause, these tests can help rule out or reduce the effects of other disorders that could cause a patient’s ADHD-like behavior.
Most commonly, stimulants are prescribed by doctors for ADHD. They include dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate as well as Concerta and Adderall. Other non pharmacological treatment for adhd-stimulant drugs could include clonidine or guanfacine, which are blood pressure medicines that can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, but they could take longer to start working and could cause adverse effects such as constipation, heartburn and low sexual drive.
ADHD patients tend to forget appointments, arrive late for work, and make irrational decisions which can stress even the most patient of family and friends members. Couples therapy and classes focusing on improving communication skills can help people establish stable relationships.
Exercise, diet, and stress reduction can all aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Certain people suffering from ADHD have discovered that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it’s important to consult a doctor prior to trying any of these therapies. If you do this without a doctor’s advice could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.