ADHD Treatments For Adults

Stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine, are the first treatment most doctors recommend. They aid in balancing the levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine, (Strattera), can also reduce symptoms, but they do so more slowly.

Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, can help adults improve their organizational and planning abilities. Coaching and psychotherapy are also effective in improving social functioning.

Medications

If you have ADHD you may benefit from medication to treat your symptoms. Some people feel better after altering their diets or taking supplements. However they should only be administered under the supervision of a physician. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or family counseling are all viable treatments. Some adults with ADHD struggle to stick to their medication. They should speak to their doctor and ask for assistance. Some medications are available over-the-counter and some require the prescription of a doctor.

The majority of the medications prescribed for ADHD are effective in increasing the levels of dopamine within your brain, which decreases impulsivity and improves concentration. The most well-known medications are stimulants, like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. While they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD but they can also trigger side effects. Heart problems are among the most serious adverse effects. The stimulant medication can also trigger antics, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications can also delay growth by a few month in children and teenagers.

Nonstimulant drugs are prescribed to patients who suffer from uncontrollable side effects from stimulants, or are at risk of developing heart disease. These medications include norepinephrine, dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. They're not as effective as stimulants, however they are safe and don't have the risk of abuse that some people have with stimulant medications.

You can decrease your ADHD symptoms by following a schedule, creating and adhering to a strict budget, improving your organizational skills, learning about your condition and implementing strategies to manage your symptoms. It is recommended to talk with an expert to learn the best approach to managing your condition, and you will find plenty of helpful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.

Your relationships may be strained due to your ADHD symptoms. Talking to 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 family members or friends by having them understand your ADHD and letting them know that your behavior isn't intentional.

Therapy

ADHD in adulthood has significant social, emotional and occupational consequences. These include lower academic achievement as well as higher rates of job failure and transfer and poor work performance. There are also more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population. The comorbidity of anxiety, depression and addiction to substances is common in adults with ADHD. Patients with multiple conditions may be more difficult to respond to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon, 2002).

A detailed patient history is crucial, as a variety of medical conditions can have symptoms similar to symptoms of ADHD. Patients suffering from developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea thyroid disorders and lead poisoning should be carefully evaluated. The use of stimulants is not recommended for patients who are addicted to 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 educating patients about their condition and its impact on different areas of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can also improve self-esteem for patients who frequently are stigmatized, for example, being perceived as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.

Behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to help patients learn better ways of organizing their time and activities, improving their skills in organizing. This will reduce the chance of missing appointments or making decisions impulsively that could result in problems at school, at work or with their personal lives. This kind of therapy can also improve a person's relationships with their family, friends, spouse and colleagues.


Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is focused on helping people to change their behavior patterns that are negative. This type of therapy is very efficient in improving the performance of those suffering from ADHD, particularly when combined with family therapy and psychoeducation. Through educating patients and their loved family members about ADHD it will reduce the frequency at which they blame each other for the difficulties caused by a person's inability to control his or her behavior. Classes that help couples and families to communicate more effectively and to develop techniques for conflict resolution can help.

Counseling

A good treatment plan for ADHD will focus on the symptoms and their impact on family, work and school. It will include both stimulant and nonstimulant medication as well as psychosocial therapy, notably cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients to change their way of thinking 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 balance and boost levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They have been around for a long time, and there are many types of medications, each with its distinct advantages and negative effects. The two most commonly used stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine, which are available under various names, such as Adderall and Ritalin. Other medications used to treat ADHD are atomoxetine. It is a stimulant that increases the amount of a substance in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells and viloxazine which is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. I Am Psychiatry and viloxazine are often used to treat ADHD in adults due to the fact that they are less likely to cause symptoms than stimulants. They are also available to people who are unable to take stimulants due to health conditions or severe side effects.

It's important to note that co-occurring disorders can cause symptoms of ADHD Therefore, the presence and severity of any other conditions should be considered when making the ADHD diagnosis. It is essential to rule out physical causes of the symptoms, such as thyroid disorders, hearing and sight problems.

It's also worth noting that some patients might be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. But it's crucial to seek medical advice prior to eliminating any food items, as this can result in nutritional deficiencies and should only be done with the guidance of a physician or dietician. Counseling can also assist patients deal with their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses understand that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign they are not loving or malicious.

Education

The diagnosis of ADHD can be a bit confusing for both the patient and the doctor. It's not uncommon for different mental health disorders to coexist with the disorder, and certain medications and medical conditions may also produce symptoms that mimic those of ADHD.

Many of these problems can be addressed with treatment or lifestyle adjustments. A person suffering from ADHD may benefit by taking supplements or altering their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy can help the person to be more resistant to distractions and impulsiveness, improve his focus and develop self-control. A doctor may suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness-based meditation practice, both of which can help manage emotions and increase attention.

A thorough medical history and a physical examination are crucial. A physician can also check for sleep apnea and other disorders like problems with vision and hearing thyroid disorders, drug or alcohol abuse as well as lead poisoning. These tests will not only aid in determining the presence of an underlying disorder, but also decrease or eliminate the effects of other disorders that can contribute to the ADHD-like behavior.

If a doctor prescribes medication for ADHD the most commonly prescribed ones are stimulants such as dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts like methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Other non-stimulant drugs include clonidine as well as Guanfacine. These blood pressure medications can reduce the impulsivity and hyperactivity, but they can take longer to work and can cause negative side effects, such as heartburn, constipation, and low sex desire.

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

Exercise, diet, and stress reduction all can aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have reported that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it is important to consult a doctor prior to trying any of these therapies. If you try this without consulting with a physician, it could lead to nutritional deficiency and other health issues.