Is ADHD Treatments Adults Just As Important As Everyone Says?
ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants, such as methylphenidate or amphetamine. They can help regulate the levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine (Strattera) can reduce symptoms but work more slowly.
Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy can help adults develop strategies to improve their organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy are also capable of improving social functioning.
Medicines
If you have ADHD you may benefit from medication to alleviate the symptoms. Some people may be able to improve their condition by changing their diet or taking supplements, but these should only be used under the supervision of a doctor. Other treatments can include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as family counseling. Certain adults with ADHD struggle to adhere to medication However, they should talk to their doctors and seek help. Some medications can be purchased over-the-counter while others need prescriptions.
Most ADHD medications are based on increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. This reduces impulsivity, and improves concentration. Some of the most popular medications are stimulants such as dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. treatment for add are believed to be the most effective in ADHD treatment, however they can have adverse effects. Some of these adverse effects can be severe, like heart problems. Stimulant medication may also cause the appearance of tics, like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth by a few month in teenagers and children.
Nonstimulant drugs are prescribed to those who experience intolerable side-effects from stimulants, or those at risk of heart disease. These are typically norepinephrine, dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. These aren't as effective as stimulants, but they are safe and don't have the risk of abuse that certain people experience with stimulant medication.
You can decrease your ADHD symptoms by following the prescribed schedule, creating and adhering to the strict guidelines of a budget, enhancing your organizational skills, learning about your disorder and developing strategies to address your symptoms. It is recommended to talk with an expert to find out the best method to manage your condition, and you can find many useful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your relationships could be strained because of your ADHD symptoms. 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 also improve your relationships by helping them understand how ADHD affects you and understanding that some of your actions are not intended to be mean-spirited.
Therapy
ADHD as an adult can have profound emotional, social and occupational consequences. This can lead to lower academic achievement 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 colleagues 2007). Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to be suffering from depression, anxiety or addiction to drugs. Patients with multiple conditions may have a harder time responding to stimulant medications (Barkley & Gordon 2002).
It is crucial to obtain an in-depth background of the patient because a wide range of medical conditions could present symptoms that are similar to ADHD. Patients suffering from seizures, developmental disorders, sleep apnea thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning should be more carefully evaluated. Patients who abuse substances or with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease and high blood pressure are not recommended from receiving stimulant treatments (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy includes behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychoeducation is the process of educating patients about their disorder, including its effects on different aspects of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can also help improve self-esteem in patients who often suffer from stigmas, such as being viewed as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
The purpose of behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is to enhance their ability to organize their lives and help them learn better ways to organize their time. This can help to reduce the risk of not attending appointments or making impulsive choices that can cause issues at work, school or in their private lives. This kind of therapy can aid in improving the effectiveness of a person's interactions with their spouses, children and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD focuses on helping people change their behavior patterns that are negative. This kind of therapy can be extremely efficient in improving the performance of people suffering from ADHD particularly when it is combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. Informing patients and close friends about ADHD can help decrease the tendency to blame one another for problems caused by the person's inability to control his or her own behavior. Classes that teach couples and families to communicate more effectively and to develop strategies for resolving conflicts can be helpful.
Counseling
A well-planned 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, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients to change their thinking about their behavior. It also teaches them skills to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with family and friends.
The stimulant medications used to treat ADHD boost and balance levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. There are a myriad of types of stimulant medications, all with their own benefits and negative side effects. The two most frequently prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine, which are sold under various brand names including Ritalin and Adderall. Viloxazine is a norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine enhances the amount of a chemical in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are used to treat ADHD among adults, as they have a slower onset than stimulants. They also are available to those who aren't able to take stimulants because of other health problems or who have severe adverse effects.
It's important to recognize that multiple disorders can resemble the symptoms of ADHD Therefore, the severity and frequency of any other condition should be taken into consideration when making an ADHD diagnosis. It's important to eliminate physical causes of the symptoms, such as thyroid disorders, hearing or sight problems.
Certain patients may be able reduce their ADHD symptoms by making changes to their diet. It's important to consult a physician prior to eliminating any food. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies and should be done under the guidance of a doctor or dietician. Counseling can also assist patients manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships with their family. Counseling can help spouses realize that the patient's behavior not necessarily a sign that they are unloving or malicious.
Education
Both patients and doctors are often confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. It's not uncommon for different mental health conditions to coexist with the disorder, and some medications and medical conditions may cause symptoms similar to the symptoms of ADHD.
Treatment or lifestyle changes can resolve many of these issues. For instance, a person suffering from ADHD may benefit from adjusting their diet or taking supplements to improve his eating habits, for instance. Behavioral therapy can teach him how to resist distractions, impulsiveness, and improve his focus. A doctor may suggest cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, which can help control emotions and increase concentration.
A complete history of symptoms is crucial, as is a physical exam. A physician can also evaluate patients for sleep apnea and hearing and vision problems, thyroid disorders as well as lead poisoning, drug or alcohol abuse. In addition to determining if there is a possibility of a root cause, these tests can help rule out or lessen the effects of other disorders that might contribute to a patient's ADHD-like behavior.
If a doctor suggests medication for ADHD, the most common medications are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, including methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant medications include clonidine and guanfacine. These blood pressure medications can help with hyperactivity and impulsivity, but might take longer to effect and can cause negative side effects, such as heartburn, constipation, and low sex desire.
ADHD patients often forget appointments, arrive late for work and make irrational choices that can strain even the most patient of friends and family members. Couples therapy and classes that concentrate on improving communication skills can help people establish stable relationships.
Exercise, diet and stress reduction can all aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have found that removing certain foods or taking supplements can help them, however it's vital to consult with a doctor before trying these methods. If you do this without a doctor's guidance could lead to nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.