What is the Best Treatment For ADHD in Adults?
The majority of people suffering from ADHD will benefit from combination treatment. Those treatments are typically multimodal and can include treatment, medication, and lifestyle changes.
The most frequently prescribed treatment for ADHD is stimulants. Finding the right dosage and balancing side effects can be a tinkering process.
Atomoxetine is a non-stimulant FDA approved does not carry the abuse potential that can be associated with stimulants. It can be taken orally.
Medication
Adults with ADHD tend to be treated first with medication. Certain medications can improve symptoms and help adults be more productive at school, work or at home. However, a single medication may not reduce all ADHD-related problems in a person's daily life and can cause some side negative effects. It is most effective if it's part of a larger treatment program that includes therapy and lifestyle adjustments.
Talk therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy can teach people who suffer from ADHD new skills to manage their behavior. It can help adults and their families learn to manage living with someone who has ADHD. Family therapy and marriage counseling can assist people in overcoming the issues that impulsive or inattentive behaviors create in relationships and families.
Stimulant medicines, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, are the most frequently prescribed medications for adult ADHD. They seem to balance the levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. When taking stimulants, individuals who suffer from medical conditions or who have a history of drug or alcohol use should consult their doctor. The effects of stimulants can be a problem for people with health conditions, including high blood pressure and heart disease. Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medications.
Nonstimulant drugs are often used to treat adult ADHD. Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that does not have the abuse potential of stimulants. It has a slower onset than stimulants, and may cause adverse effects like stomach upset and difficulty sleeping. However, most people with ADHD find it to be effective. It is not recommended to those suffering from Tourette's Syndrome or bipolar disorder, depression, or both.
Some people who suffer from ADHD might also benefit from other medication such as mood stabilizers and antidepressants. These drugs are also used to treat depression and anxiety. However, they are able to enhance the attention and impulse control of some adults with ADHD.
Getting adequate sleep and following a regular schedule can increase the severity of ADHD symptoms. Avoiding sugary and caffeine-rich foods can also make ADHD symptoms worse.
Therapy
Many people with ADHD don't receive treatment for their condition. It's possible that they aren't aware they suffer from it or that their doctors don't recognize it. They are unable to manage daily tasks like getting up, going to work on time, and remaining accountable at work and with friends.
ADHD can be treated effectively to help people achieve success at school, work and in their daily lives. Treatments can include medication, psychotherapy (counseling) and lifestyle modifications. Combining these methods is usually the best option.
Stimulants are the most common medication used to treat adult adhd. They balance and boost levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters that are thought to be the reason for ADHD symptoms. ADHD is also treated by other medications, such as atomoxetine, a nonstimulant, and certain antidepressants. These drugs are less potent than stimulants, but they can be more effective in treating ADHD for people who are unable to take stimulants due to medical conditions or adverse drug effects.
Individual therapy can help people with ADHD how to manage their emotions and enhance their interpersonal skills. It can also teach strategies to organize and focus, as well as plan. In addition to individual counseling therapy, couples and family therapy can be helpful. Counseling for families and marriage can help families and couples recognize the unique difficulties of living with someone who suffers from ADHD and develop coping skills that help improve communication and problem-solving.
Other forms of treatment for ADHD can include cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people identify and change negative patterns of thinking. It can also teach practical strategies to manage the stresses of life, including budgeting and money management, organizational skills, dietary changes and exercises. Other treatments may employ mindfulness meditation to help promote mindfulness and yoga techniques to improve balance and self-awareness, or relaxation techniques such as deep breathing.
The addition of therapy to a medication regimen can be extremely beneficial, especially for adults. However, not everyone with ADHD can benefit from talk therapy alone, and a health care professional should assess each patient to determine which treatment options are most efficient. In certain instances, it is important to exclude other conditions that could have similar symptoms similar to ADHD like mood disorders or mental health issues and physical ailments or injuries, substance abuse or nutritional deficiencies.
Counseling
Finding assistance for ADHD isn't easy. It is crucial to find a treatment plan that is multi-modal and includes the use of medication as well as skills training and counseling.
In addition to helping manage your symptoms, therapy can also teach you ways to manage the negative impact of ADHD on your life. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for instance can help you identify the negative thoughts and emotions. In turn, this can improve your ability to manage your behavior.
A therapist can show you how to manage issues such as managing time, organizing, and impulse control. They can assist you in overcoming emotional difficulties that are often associated with ADHD, such anxiety or depression. Having a therapist who understands the way ADHD affects your life can help you and loved ones realize that your problems aren't necessarily due to "laziness" or a lack of effort.
Look for a therapist who is experienced in treating adult ADHD. You may want to ask your doctor if they specialize in psychotherapy for people with ADHD or look up the American Psychological Association's directory. As psychotherapy can be costly, make sure that your health insurance will cover the cost.
It's also helpful to locate a therapist who has experience with various types of therapy, such as natural lifemanship, which uses horses as partners to help individuals to regulate their body energy and to detect non-verbal signals. Another alternative is mindfulness meditation, which helps people reduce stress and improve their attention control.
You may be interested in participating in a clinical study which is a kind of research study. These studies could provide access to new treatments as well as help researchers discover ways to treat or prevent ADHD. Consult your physician to determine if you are a good candidate for a clinical trial.
It is also important to be sure to rule out any other medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms as ADHD. These include sleep apnea (sleep deprivation) and depression, thyroid disorders and lead poisoning. It's also important to mention any recent or ongoing alcohol or drug abuse, since it can affect your ability to concentrate and pay attention.
Education
Treatment for adult ADHD should include therapy, medication, life skills training, and counseling. Adults are able to benefit from the same treatments as children, but it may take longer for them to achieve their goals because their bodies and minds have matured. It could also be necessary to treat psychiatric disorders that resemble ADHD symptoms.
For most people with ADHD stimulants are the drug of choice. They increase attention and decrease impulsivity. But they can cause side effects, like insomnia and fatigue that need to be addressed. Also, they can interact with certain foods and medications. Begin with a low dosage and gradually increase it over 7 days until you can manage your ADHD symptoms without experiencing any adverse effects.
You can develop the skills needed to manage ADHD symptoms through psychotherapy, for example cognitive behavioral therapy. For example, CBT can encourage you to alter your thoughts that cause negative behaviors like procrastination. CBT can also help you understand how to break large tasks into smaller ones and develop a more structured routine. Counseling for families and marriage helps you and your loved ones to be able to communicate and support them.
A healthy diet can help improve your ADHD symptoms and also improve your overall health. Eat a balanced diet, that includes fish, vitamins like iron, zinc and magnesium, in addition to complex carbohydrates. Eating three meals daily is important. Avoid cutting out untreated adhd in adults depression or eating sweet snacks. A healthy diet will keep you energized throughout the day and boost your mood.
Some people with ADHD have difficulty getting enough sleep. A bad night's sleep can make symptoms worse the next day. You can improve your sleeping quality by setting a regular time for bed and waking up at the same time each day even on weekends. Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol before going to bed.
Participating in a study could help you find a better treatment for ADHD. Consult your physician to determine if you have the ability to participate in clinical trials.