ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants, such as methylphenidate or amphetamine. They help balance levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants help to reduce symptoms, but they work slower.
Psychotherapy, similar to cognitive behavioral therapy, helps adults improve their planning and organization abilities. Coaching and psychotherapy can also enhance social functioning.
Medicines
If you have ADHD you may benefit from medication to treat the symptoms. Some people may discover that they improve through a change in their diet or taking supplements, however these should only be used under the guidance of a physician. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or family counseling are all possible treatment options. Some adults with ADHD are unable to stay on medication, but they should talk to their doctor and ask for help. Certain medications are available over the counter and some require the prescription of a doctor.
The majority of ADHD medications are based on increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. This reduces impulsivity, and increases concentration. The most well-known medications are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. These are considered to be the most effective ADHD treatment, but they do have side effects. Cardiovascular issues are among the most serious adverse effects. The stimulant medication can also trigger the appearance of tics, like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth in children and adolescents by several months.
Nonstimulant medicines are prescribed to people who experience intolerable side-effects from stimulants, or who are at risk of developing heart disease. These are mostly dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. They aren't as efficient as stimulants, but they are safe and don't carry the risk of abuse that some people have with stimulant medications.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a planned schedule, creating and adhering to a budget, developing your organizational skills, gaining knowledge about your condition and devising strategies to deal with your symptoms. You should talk to a professional to learn about the best method to manage your disorder, and you can find many useful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your relationships can be strained because of your ADHD symptoms. Talking to a therapist about the way you interact with your spouse or co-workers and attending classes that teach conflict resolution can be helpful. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how your ADHD affects you, and also recognizing that some of your behavior are not a deliberate act of aggression.
Therapy
ADHD as an adult can have significant social, emotional, and occupational effects. These include lower academic achievements as well as 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. Comorbidity between depression, anxiety and addiction to substances is common in adults with ADHD. People with comorbid conditions might have a harder time responding to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon, 2002).
It is crucial to obtain an extensive history of the patient, because a wide range of medical conditions could have 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 with active substance abuse or with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease and high blood pressure arrhythmias and tachycardia (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy encompasses psychoeducation and behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of informing patients about their disorder and its impact on their lives. Psychoeducation can help patients improve their self-esteem, especially those who are often stigmatized as lazy or less intelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to teach patients better ways of organizing their time and tasks as well as improving their skills in organizing. 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 could also help improve the effectiveness of one's interactions with children, spouses and coworkers.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD focuses on helping people modify their negative patterns of behavior. This type of therapy is extremely efficient in improving the functioning of people suffering from ADHD particularly when it is paired with family therapy and psychoeducation. Informing patients and close friends about ADHD can reduce the tendency to blame one another for problems caused by the patient's inability to manage his or her behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to communicate more effectively and resolve conflicts could be helpful.
Counseling
A successful treatment plan for ADHD will tackle the symptoms and their impacts on the family, work and school. It will include stimulant and nonstimulant drugs as well as psychosocial therapy, notably cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change the way they think about their behavior. It also helps patients learn to manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
Stimulant medications used to treat ADHD increase and regulate levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. There are a variety of stimulant drugs, each with their own benefits and side-effects. The two most frequently prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. They are sold under many brands, including Ritalin and Adderall. Viloxazine is a norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine enhances the amount of a brain chemical that transmits messages between brain cells. Atomoxetine and viloxazine are often used to treat ADHD in adults because they are less likely to cause symptoms than stimulants. These medications are also available for those who cannot take stimulants due other health conditions or severe side effects.
It is crucial to keep in mind that comorbid conditions can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore the presence and severity of other conditions should be considered when diagnosing ADHD. It is essential to determine the cause of the symptoms, for example thyroid disorders, hearing and sight problems.
Certain patients may be able to lessen their ADHD symptoms through diet changes. It's important to consult a doctor before eliminating any foods. This could result in nutritional deficiencies and should be done under the guidance of a physician or dietician. Another option is counseling which helps patients manage their symptoms and build better relationships with their families. Counseling can also assist spouses in understanding that the patient's behaviors are not necessarily indicative of a lack of affection or a deliberate act of misconduct.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be confusing for both doctors and patients. It's not uncommon for different mental health disorders to coexist with the disorder. Additionally, certain medications and medical conditions may also produce symptoms that mimic those of ADHD.
Treatment or lifestyle changes can solve a lot of these issues. A person with ADHD could benefit from changing their diet or taking supplements to improve their eating habits, for example. Behavioral therapy will teach him how to resist distractions, impulsiveness and increase his focus. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or the practice of mindfulness meditation that can help manage emotions and improve attention.
A thorough history of the symptoms is important as is a physical exam. A doctor can also assess a patient for sleep apnea, hearing or thyroid problems, vision problems, lead poisoning and alcohol or drug abuse. These evaluations can help to determine the presence of a underlying disorder but also help reduce or eliminate the effects of other disorders which can contribute to the ADHD-like behavior.
When treat adhd Iam Psychiatry recommends medication for ADHD The most popular ones are stimulants such as dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, including methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Other non-stimulant drugs could include clonidine or guanfacine, which are blood pressure medicines that can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, however they may take longer to kick in and might have adverse effects such as heartburn, constipation and low sex drive.
People suffering from ADHD frequently forget appointments and are often late to work, and make irrational choices that can be a challenge for even the most forgiving friends and relatives. Couples therapy and classes that focus on improving communication skills can help patients develop stable relationships.
Diet, exercise, and stress reduction can all help in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with the condition have found that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements helps them, but it's crucial to consult with a doctor before trying these methods. Doing so without a doctor's advice could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.