ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants, like amphetamine and methylphenidate, are the first treatment that doctors recommend. They can help regulate levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants also can reduce symptoms, but they operate slower.
Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults learn techniques to improve organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy are capable of improving social functioning.
Medicines
There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat ADHD symptoms. adhd untreated in adults feel better after changing their diets or taking supplements. However they should only be used under the guidance of a medical professional. Other treatments can include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and family counseling. Many adults suffering from ADHD struggle to stick to their medication. They should talk to their doctor and ask for assistance. Certain medications are available over-the-counter while others need a prescription.
adhd untreated in adults of medications prescribed for ADHD help by increasing the levels of dopamine in your brain, which reduces the impulsivity and increases focus. Some of the most popular drugs are stimulants, like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. Although they are considered the most effective treatment for ADHD however, they can also cause side consequences. Some of these adverse effects can be serious, for instance, heart problems. In addition, stimulants can cause tics, such as eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth in adolescents and children by a few months.
Nonstimulant drugs are prescribed to people who experience intolerable side-effects from stimulants, or who are at risk of developing heart disease. These medications are primarily norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. These medications are not as effective as stimulants but are safe and do not have the abuse potential that certain people experience with stimulant drugs.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a well-planned schedule, creating and adhering to a budget, enhancing your organizational skills, gaining knowledge about your disorder and devising strategies to manage your symptoms. Talk to a professional about the best methods to manage your ADHD. You can also find many useful resources on the site of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your ADHD symptoms can affect your relationships. You can improve your relationships by speaking to 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 has significant emotional, social and occupational consequences for occupational, emotional and social. These include lower academic success, higher rates of job failure 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). Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to be suffering from depression, anxiety or abuse of substances. People with comorbid disorders might have a harder time responding to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
It is crucial to obtain an extensive background of the patient because a wide range of medical conditions could present symptoms that are similar to ADHD. Patients with seizures, developmental disorders sleep apnea, and thyroid disorders must be assessed more closely. The use of stimulants is not recommended for patients who are addicted to drugs or those suffering from certain medical conditions, like heart disease, high blood pressure, arrhythmias and tachycardia (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy is a form of therapy that includes behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of educating patients about their disorder and its impact on different aspects of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can help patients build their self-esteem, particularly those who are often viewed as being lazy or less intelligent.
The aim of a behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is to enhance their organizational skills and help them learn better ways to organize their time. This can help decrease the chance of missing appointments or making impulsive choices that could cause problems at school, work or in their personal life. This type of therapy could help improve relationships with their children, spouse and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is focused on helping individuals to change their behavior patterns that are negative. This type of therapy is extremely efficient in improving the functioning of those suffering from ADHD especially when it is combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. Through educating patients and their loved family members about ADHD it will reduce the amount of time they blame each other for the issues caused by a patient's inability manage his or her behavior. Classes that teach couples and families to communicate more effectively and to develop techniques for conflict resolution can help.
Counseling
A successful treatment plan will address the symptoms of ADHD and their impact on work, school, and the family. It will include both stimulant and nonstimulant medication and 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 drugs are used to treat ADHD. They regulate and increase levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. There are a variety of stimulant medications, all with their own benefits and adverse effects. The two most commonly used stimulants are dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate and methylphenidate, which are sold under many different names, such as Adderall and Ritalin. Other medications that 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 as well as atomoxetine can be used to treat ADHD in adults, since they have a less gradual onset than stimulants. They are also available to those who are unable to take stimulants due to other health issues or suffer from severe side effects.
It is important to remember that co-occurring disorders can cause symptoms of ADHD, so the severity and presence of any other medical condition should be considered when determining an ADHD diagnosis. It is essential to rule out physical causes of the symptoms, such as thyroid disorders, hearing and sight problems.
It's also important to note that some patients might be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by altering their diet. However, it's essential to seek medical advice before eliminating any food items that could result in nutritional deficiencies. This should only be done with the guidance of a physician or dietician. Counseling can also help patients deal with their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their families. Counseling can also help spouses realize that the patient's actions are not necessarily indicative of lack of love or a deliberate act of misconduct.
Education
Both doctors and patients can be confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. Other mental disorders can coexist with ADHD, and certain medical conditions and medications can also cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Lifestyle changes or treatment can help with many of these issues. Someone suffering from ADHD may benefit from adjusting their diet or taking supplements to improve his eating habits, for instance. Behavioral therapy will help him learn how to manage distractions, impulsiveness and increase the focus of his mind. A doctor may suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or the practice of mindfulness meditation that can help control emotions and increase focus.
A complete history of symptoms is essential as is a physical examination. A physician can also check for sleep apnea and other conditions such as issues with vision and hearing, thyroid disorders, alcohol or drug abuse as well as lead poisoning. These assessments will not only aid in determining the presence of an underlying disorder, but also decrease or eliminate the effects of other disorders which can contribute to the ADHD-like behavior.
The majority of stimulants are prescribed by doctors for ADHD. These include dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, Concerta and Adderall. Nonstimulant medications could include guanfacine and clonidine which are blood pressure drugs that can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, but they could take longer to start working and might have adverse effects such as constipation, heartburn and low sex drive.
People suffering from ADHD often miss appointments and are often late to work, and make irrational choices which can strain the patience of even the most patient friends and relatives. Couples therapy or classes to improve communication skills can help sufferers develop stable relationships.
Exercise, diet and stress reduction can all help in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have found that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements helps them, but it's important to consult with a doctor before trying these methods. If you do this without a doctor's advice could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health problems.