ADHD Treatments For Adults

Stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine, are the first treatment that doctors recommend. They help balance levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Antidepressants, as well as Atomoxetine (Strattera) are also able to help alleviate symptoms, but they work more slowly.

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

Medicines

If you have ADHD and are suffering from it, you could benefit from medication to treat the symptoms. Some people might find that they get better by altering their diet or taking supplements, but these should only be utilized under the supervision of a doctor. Other options include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy (CBT) as well as family counseling. Some adults with ADHD struggle to stick to their medication. They should talk to their doctor and request assistance. Certain medications can be purchased over-the-counter while others need prescriptions.

The majority of medications prescribed for ADHD work by increasing the levels of dopamine inside your brain, which decreases impulsivity and improves focus. The most commonly used medications are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. Although they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD but they can also trigger side negative effects. Cardiovascular problems are some of the more serious side effects. Stimulant medication may also cause tics, such as eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth in adolescents and children by just a few months.

Nonstimulant medications can be prescribed to those who suffer from adverse reactions to stimulants that are not tolerated or are at risk of developing heart issues. These medications include dopamine reuptake inhibitors, norepinephrine or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. These medications are not as effective as stimulants but are safe and do not offer the risk of abuse that many people have with stimulant drugs.

You can try to reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a planned schedule, making and sticking to a budget, enhancing the organization skills, learning more about your condition and implementing strategies to manage your symptoms. Talk to a doctor about the best strategies to manage your ADHD. You can also find many useful resources on the website of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.

Your ADHD symptoms can affect your relationships. Talking with a therapist about how you interact with your coworkers or spouse and taking classes that teach conflict resolution can be helpful. You can improve your relationships with your family members or friends by letting them know about your ADHD and by making them aware that your behavior isn't intentional.

Therapy

ADHD as an adult can have significant social, emotional, and occupational repercussions. This includes lower academic performance and more frequent failure to get a job and transfer, poor work performance, more car accidents and higher rates of divorce than the general population (Spencer and co. 2007). Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be suffering from depression, anxiety or substance abuse. add adult treatment with comorbid disorders may be more difficult to respond to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon 2002).

A thorough history of the patient is vital, as many medical conditions can have symptoms similar to those of ADHD. Patients suffering from seizures, developmental disorders, sleep apnea and thyroid disorders should be evaluated more carefully. Stimulant treatment is contraindicated in patients with active substance abuse or with certain medical conditions, like heart disease and high blood pressure tachycardia and arrhythmias (Greenhill 2001).

Psychosocial therapy encompasses behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of informing patients about their disorder and its effects on their lives. Psychoeducation can also help improve self-esteem for patients who frequently suffer from stigmas, such as being judged as lazy or less intelligent.

The aim of a the therapy for adults who suffer from ADHD is to enhance their organizational skills and help them learn better ways to organize their time. This can reduce the chances of missing appointments or making decisions that are impulsive and could cause problems in school, at work or with their personal lives. This type of therapy could also improve a person's relationships with their spouse, children and colleagues.

Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults who suffer from ADHD is designed to help people to change their negative behaviors. This kind of therapy can be extremely efficient in improving the performance of those suffering from ADHD especially when combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. By educating patients and their loved family members about ADHD it will reduce the frequency with which they blame each other for the difficulties caused by the inability of a patient to manage his or her behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to communicate better and manage conflicts can help.

Counseling

A good treatment strategy will address the symptoms of ADHD and their effects on school, work and family. It should include stimulant and nonstimulant medications as well as psychosocial therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT assists patients in changing their thinking about their behavior. It also helps them develop skills to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with family and friends.

Stimulant drugs used to treat ADHD increase and regulate levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They have been around for a long time, and there are several different kinds of medications, each with its own benefits and side effects. The two most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate as well as dextroamphetamine, which are sold under many brand names including Ritalin and Adderall. Viloxazine is a selective norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine increases the quantity of a brain chemical that transmits messages between brain cells. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are both used to treat ADHD among adults, as they have a more gradual start than stimulants. They also are available to those who aren't able to take stimulants due to other health issues or experience severe adverse effects.

It's important to note that comorbid disorders can mimic the symptoms of ADHD So the presence and severity of any other medical condition should be considered when determining an ADHD diagnosis. It's also important to rule out any physical reasons for the symptoms, like thyroid disorders or hearing and vision problems.

Certain patients may be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by making dietary changes. But it's crucial to seek medical advice before eliminating any food items that could cause nutritional deficiencies. This should only be done with the guidance of a doctor or dietician. Another option is counseling which can help patients learn to manage their symptoms and build stronger relationships with their families. Counseling can also help spouses understand that the patient's behaviors are not necessarily a sign of lack of love or a deliberate act of misconduct.

Education

Both patients and doctors can be confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. It's not uncommon for different mental health disorders to coexist the disorder. Additionally, certain medications and medical conditions may cause symptoms that resemble the symptoms of ADHD.

Many of these issues can be resolved by treatments or lifestyle changes. A person with ADHD could benefit from taking supplements or adjusting their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy can help him to better resist distractions and impulsiveness, improve the focus of his mind and develop self-control. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or the practice of mindfulness meditation that can help manage emotions and increase attention.

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

If a doctor suggests medication for ADHD, the most common ones are stimulants like dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts like methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant drugs include clonidine and Guanfacine. These blood pressure medications can reduce the impulsivity and hyperactivity, but they can take longer to work and can cause adverse effects like heartburn, constipation, and low sex desire.


People with ADHD frequently forget appointments, are late for work and make irrational decisions that strain the patience of even the most tolerant family members and friends. Couples therapy or classes to improve communication skills can help sufferers build stable relationships.

Exercise, diet, and stress reduction all can play a part in managing ADHD symptoms. Certain people with ADHD have found 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 methods. If you decide to do this without consulting with a physician, it could lead to nutritional deficiency and other health issues.