ADHD Treatments For Adults

Stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine, are the first treatment that doctors recommend. They can help regulate levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine (Strattera), can also reduce symptoms, but they do so slower.

Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy can help adults develop techniques to improve organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy can also improve social functioning.

Medications

There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people find they are more comfortable after changing their diet or taking supplements. However they should only be administered under the supervision of a medical professional. Other options include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy (CBT) as well as counseling for families. Some adults with ADHD have difficulty staying on medication However, they should talk with their doctors and ask for help. Certain medications can be purchased over the counter, while others require prescription.

Most medicines prescribed for ADHD work by increasing the levels of dopamine in your brain, which decreases impulsivity and improves concentration. The most popular medications are stimulants, like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. While they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD but they can also trigger negative side consequences. Some of these side effects could be serious, for instance, cardiovascular issues. The stimulant medication can also trigger antics, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth in adolescents and children by just a few months.

Nonstimulant medications can be prescribed to people who suffer from adverse reactions to stimulants that are not tolerated or are at risk of developing heart issues. These medications are primarily dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. These aren't as effective as stimulants, however they are safe and don't carry the risk of abuse that some people are prone to with stimulant drugs.

You can lessen your ADHD symptoms by following the prescribed schedule, creating and adhering to a strict budget, improving your organization skills, understanding about your disorder and developing strategies to deal with your symptoms. Consult a professional regarding the best strategies to manage your disorder. You can also find a wealth of useful resources on the site of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.

Your ADHD symptoms can cause stress in your relationships. Talking to a therapist about the way you interact with your spouse or co-workers and taking classes that teach conflict resolution can help. You can improve your relationships with your coworkers or spouse by having them understand your ADHD and letting them know that your behavior isn't intentional.

Therapy

ADHD in adulthood can result in significant emotional, social, and occupational repercussions. These include lower academic success, higher rates of job loss and transfer, poor work performance, more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population (Spencer and colleagues 2007). Comorbidity between depression, anxiety and substance abuse are common among adults with ADHD. Those with comorbid conditions may be more difficult to respond to stimulant medications (Barkley & Gordon 2002).

A detailed patient history is vital, as many medical conditions can have symptoms similar to those of ADHD. Patients with developmental disorders, seizure disorder, sleep apnea and thyroid disorders need to be evaluated more carefully. Patients who abuse substances or those suffering from certain medical conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure are not recommended from receiving stimulant therapy (Greenhill 2001).

Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of informing patients about their condition and its effects on their lives. Psychoeducation can help patients boost their self-esteem, especially those who are often viewed as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.

The goal of behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is to improve their abilities to manage their time and teach them better ways to organize their time. This can help reduce the risk of missing appointments and making decisions that are impulsive and could create problems at school, at work, or with their personal lives. This type of therapy could help improve relationships with their children, spouse and colleagues.

Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults with ADHD is aimed at helping people to change their negative behaviors. This kind of therapy can be very efficient in improving the performance of those with ADHD especially when combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. By educating patients and their loved family members about ADHD it can decrease the frequency at which they blame each other for the difficulties caused by a patient's inability manage his or her behavior. Classes that train couples and families how to communicate more effectively and develop techniques for conflict resolution can be beneficial.

Counseling

A well-designed treatment strategy will address the symptoms of ADHD and their impact on school, work, and the family. It will include stimulant and nonstimulant medications as along with psychosocial treatment, specifically cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT assists patients in changing their thinking about their behavior. It also helps patients learn to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with family and friends.

Stimulant medications used to treat ADHD boost and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. There are a variety of stimulant drugs, each with their own advantages and side-effects. The two most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate as well as dextroamphetamine. These are sold under various brand names including Ritalin and Adderall. Other drugs used to 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, which is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Viloxazine as well as atomoxetine can be used to treat ADHD among adults, as they have a slower start than stimulants. They also are available to those who are unable to take stimulants due to other health problems or who suffer from severe adverse effects.

It is important to be aware that comorbidities can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore the severity and presence of other conditions should be considered when diagnosing ADHD. It is important to eliminate 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 reduce their ADHD symptoms by altering their diet. It's important to consult with a doctor prior to eliminating any foods. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies, and should only be done under the guidance of a physician or dietician. Counseling can also help patients manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses recognize that the patient's behavior not necessarily a sign that they are not loving or malicious.

Education

Both doctors and patients are often confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. Other mental disorders can coexist with ADHD and certain medications and medical conditions may also produce symptoms that mimic ADHD.

Many of these issues can be addressed with treatment or lifestyle adjustments. Someone suffering from ADHD might benefit from adjusting diet or taking supplements to improve his eating habits, for example. Behavioral therapy will teach him how to resist distractions, impulsiveness and improve his focus. A doctor may suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or the practice of mindfulness meditation, both of which can help control emotions and improve attention.

A thorough history of the symptoms is important and so is a physical exam. A doctor can also examine patients for sleep apnea and hearing and vision problems, thyroid disorders or lead poisoning as well as drug or alcohol abuse. In treating adults with adhd to determining the existence of an underlying cause these evaluations can help rule out or lessen the effects of other disorders that might cause an individual's ADHD-like behavior.

If a doctor prescribes medication for ADHD, the most common ones are stimulants such as dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, including methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant medications could include guanfacine or clonidine, which are blood pressure medications which can aid in reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity, but they could take longer to begin working and could cause adverse effects such as heartburn, constipation and low sex drive.

ADHD patients often forget appointments, arrive late for work, and make irrational decisions that can strain even the most patient of friends and family members. Couples therapy and classes that focus on improving communication skills can help patients establish stable relationships.

Diet, exercise, and stress reduction all can help in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with the condition have discovered that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements can help them, but it's crucial to talk to a doctor before attempting these treatments. Doing so without a doctor's advice could result in nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.