ADHD Treatments For Adults

Stimulants, like amphetamine and methylphenidate are the first treatment that doctors recommend. They aid in balancing the levels of two chemical messengers inside the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants also may help alleviate symptoms, but they operate more slowly.

Psychotherapy, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, aids adults to improve their planning and organizational skills. Psychotherapy and coaching can also improve social functioning.

Medications

You can take medications to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people find that they get better through a change in their diet or taking supplements, but they should only be taken under a doctor's guidance. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or family counseling are all viable treatment options. Certain adults suffering from ADHD struggle to stay on their medication. They should consult their doctor and request assistance. Certain medications are available over the counter, while others require prescriptions.

The majority of the medications prescribed for ADHD help by increasing the levels of dopamine within your brain, which reduces impulsivity and enhances focus. Some of the most common drugs are stimulants like dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate and others. They are believed to be the most effective in ADHD treatment, however they can have adverse effects. Some of these side effects can be severe, like cardiovascular issues. The stimulant medication can also trigger tics such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth in children and adolescents by just a few months.

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 antagonists. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but are safe and do not contain the potential for abuse that many people have when taking stimulant medication.

You can decrease your ADHD symptoms by following a schedule, creating and sticking to the strict guidelines of a budget, enhancing your organizational skills, learning about your condition and implementing strategies to deal with your symptoms. It is important to speak with an expert to find out the best approach to managing your condition. You can find a wealth of information on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.

Your relationships can be strained by your ADHD symptoms. Talking with a therapist about how you interact with your spouse or co-workers and taking classes to learn conflict resolution can be helpful. You can improve your relationships with your spouse or co-workers by helping them understand your ADHD and making them aware that your behavior is not intentional.

Therapy

ADHD in adulthood has significant social, emotional and occupational consequences for occupational, emotional and social. This can lead to lower academic achievement and higher rates of job loss and transfer, poor performance at work, more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population (Spencer and colleagues 2007). The comorbidity of anxiety, depression and substance abuse are common in adults with ADHD. People with comorbid conditions might be less responsive to stimulant medication (Barkley & Gordon 2002).

A detailed 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, and lead poisoning should be careful to be evaluated. Treatment with stimulants is not recommended in those who abuse drugs or with certain medical conditions, including heart disease and high blood pressure tachycardia and arrhythmias (Greenhill 2001).).

Psychosocial therapy includes behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychoeducation involves teaching patients about their condition and its impact on different aspects of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can also help improve self-esteem among patients who typically suffer from stigmas, such as being judged as inept or unintelligent.

Behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to help patients learn how to organize their time and activities as well as improving their organizational skills. This can help reduce the risk of missing appointments or making decisions impulsively that could result in problems at the workplace, at school or with their personal lives. This type of therapy could improve the relationship of a person with their family, friends, spouse and colleagues.

Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults with ADHD is geared towards helping people change their negative behavior patterns. This kind of therapy can be extremely effective in improving the functioning of people suffering from ADHD, especially if coupled with psychoeducation and family therapy. Through educating patients and their loved ones about adhd treatment medication it can decrease the frequency with which they blame each other for the problems caused by the inability of a patient to manage his or her behavior. Classes that train couples and families to communicate more effectively and develop conflict resolution skills can also help.

Counseling

A good treatment plan for ADHD will address the symptoms and their impacts on the family, work and school. It will include both stimulant and nonstimulant drugs as well as psychosocial therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change their thinking about their behavior. It also helps patients learn to manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their family and friends.

Stimulant drugs used to treat ADHD increase and regulate levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. There are a myriad of types of stimulant medications, all with their own advantages and negative side effects. The two most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. They are available under a variety of brands, including Ritalin and Adderall. Other medications that treat ADHD include atomoxetine, which is a stimulant that increases the amount of a chemical that is present in the brain that passes messages between brain cells and viloxazine, 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 to those who aren't able to take stimulants because of other health issues or experience severe side effects.

It is crucial to keep in mind that comorbidities can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore the presence and severity of other conditions should be considered when diagnosing ADHD. It is essential to eliminate physical causes of the symptoms, such as thyroid disorders, hearing or sight problems.

It's also worth noting that some patients might be able to lessen their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. However, it's important to seek medical advice before cutting out any food, as this can cause nutritional deficiencies. This should only be done with the assistance of a doctor or a dietician. Counseling can also help patients deal with their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses recognize that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign they are unloving or malicious.

Education

Both patients and doctors are often 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.

Treatment or lifestyle changes 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 example. Behavioral therapy will help him learn how to better resist distractions, impulsiveness and improve his concentration. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or the practice of mindfulness meditation, both of which can help manage emotions and increase attention.

A thorough history of symptoms is essential as is a physical exam. A doctor can also look for sleep apnea as well as other disorders like problems with vision and hearing, thyroid disorders, drug or alcohol abuse, and lead poisoning. These assessments can help to determine the presence of an underlying disorder, but also decrease or eliminate the effects of other disorders that can contribute to the ADHD-like behavior.

The majority of stimulants are prescribed by doctors for ADHD. These include dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate as well as Concerta and Adderall. Nonstimulant medications could include clonidine or guanfacine, which are blood pressure medicines that can help with hyperactivity and impulsivity, however they may take longer to start working and may cause negative side effects like heartburn, constipation and low sexual drive.

ADHD patients tend to forget appointments, arrive late to work and make irrational choices which can stress even the most patient of family and friends members. Couples therapy and classes focusing on improving communication skills can help sufferers develop stable relationships.

Exercise, diet and stress reduction can all play a part in reducing ADHD symptoms. Certain people with ADHD have reported that avoiding certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it is important to consult a doctor prior to attempting any of these treatments. If you do this without consulting with a physician this could lead to nutritional deficiency and other health issues.