What is the Best Treatment For ADHD in Adults?
The majority of people with ADHD will benefit from combination treatment. These treatments are usually multimodal and can include therapy, medication and lifestyle changes.
The most common medication for ADHD is stimulants. Finding the appropriate dosage and balancing the side effects can be a trial and error procedure.
Atomoxetine is an unstimulant FDA approved, does not have the abuse potential that can be associated with stimulants. It is a pill that can be taken orally.
Medication
Adults with ADHD are usually treated with medication first. Certain medications can improve symptoms and help adults function more effectively at school, work or at home. However, a single medication may not be able to solve all ADHD-related issues in a person's daily life and can sometimes cause side effects. The most effective medication is when it is part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes lifestyle adjustments and treatment.
Talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can teach adults with ADHD new techniques to manage their behavior. It can aid families and adults learn how to deal with living with someone with ADHD. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help people deal with the issues that impulsive and inattentional behaviors can cause in families and relationships.
Adult ADHD is usually treated with stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate or amphetamines. They seem to balance the levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. People with medical issues or those who have a history of drug or alcohol use should talk about these issues with their doctor before taking any stimulants. The effects of stimulants can be a problem for people with health issues, like high blood pressure and heart disease. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medication.
Adult ADHD is sometimes treated with nonstimulant medication. Atomoxetine (Strattera) is an inhibitor of selective norepinephrine release that lacks the abuse potential of stimulants. It has a slower effect than stimulants and can have side effects, such as stomach upset and trouble sleeping, but it is effective for most adults suffering from ADHD. It is not recommended for people suffering from bipolar disorder, depression or Tourette's disorder.
Some people who suffer from ADHD might also benefit from other medications that can help, such as mood stabilizers or antidepressants. These drugs are also used to treat anxiety and depression. However, they may improve the attention and impulse control of some adults suffering from ADHD.
Getting adequate sleep and following the same routine can increase the severity of ADHD symptoms. Avoiding sugary and caffeine-rich foods can also make ADHD symptoms worse.
Therapy
Many people with ADHD do not get treated for their disorder. It's possible that they don't know they have it or their doctors don't recognize it. They have difficulty managing daily tasks like getting up, making it to the office on time, and remaining responsible at work and with friends.
ADHD is treatable to aid people in achieving success in their work, school and in their personal life. Treatments include medication, counseling and lifestyle adjustments. Combining these strategies is usually the best option.
Stimulants are among the most popular treatment for adults suffering from adhd. They regulate and increase levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters, which are believed to be the cause of ADHD symptoms. Other medications, including the nonstimulant atomoxetine, and some antidepressants are also used to treat ADHD. These medications are less potent than stimulants, however they are more efficient in treating ADHD in those who are unable to use stimulants due to medical conditions or drug side-effects.
Individual therapy can help people suffering from ADHD how to manage their emotions and enhance their interpersonal skills. It can also teach people to organize, plan and stay focused. Family therapy and couples therapy along with individual counseling, can be beneficial. Counseling for families and marriage can assist families and partners understand the particular difficulties of living with someone who has ADHD and develop coping strategies that help improve communication and problem-solving.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a different method of treating ADHD. This therapy helps people recognize and alter negative thinking patterns. It can also teach practical strategies for dealing with life's stress, such as budgeting and managing money and organizational skills, diet changes and exercise. Other methods may include mindfulness meditation to increase mental calmness and yoga techniques to improve self-awareness and balance, or relaxation exercises such as deep breathing.
It can be beneficial to add therapy to an existing medication regimen, especially for adults. However, not everyone suffers from ADHD can benefit from just talk therapy and a health care professional should assess each patient to see what treatment options are most efficient. In certain instances it is essential to identify other conditions that may cause similar symptoms to ADHD, such as mood disorders or other mental health problems, as well as physical illness or injury or substance abuse, or nutritional deficiency.
Counseling
Helping someone with ADHD is a difficult task. It's important to seek an approach that is multi-modal and includes the use of medication training for skills, counseling.
Therapy can help you manage your symptoms and help you learn how to manage the negative consequences of ADHD in your daily life. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for instance, can help you recognize negative emotions and patterns of thinking. This can help you to improve your ability to control your behavior.
A therapist can also teach you ways to tackle problems like time management, organization and impulse control. They can also assist you to deal with emotional issues that are often associated with ADHD like anxiety or depression. A therapist who is aware of the way ADHD affects your life can help you and loved ones realize that your problems aren't necessarily caused by "laziness" or lack of effort.
When choosing adhd treatment for young adults , seek out a therapist who is skilled in treating adults with ADHD. Ask your doctor if he/she is a specialist in psychotherapy for adult ADHD. You can also check the directory of the American Psychological Association. Because psychotherapy is expensive so make sure your health insurance covers the cost.
It's beneficial to find a therapist who has experience in a variety of therapy. For instance the natural lifemanship method uses horses to help people learn to manage their energy and detect nonverbal signals. Another option is mindfulness meditation which helps to reduce stress and improves the ability to regulate attention.
You might also be interested in joining a clinical trial that is an investigational study. These studies may offer access to new treatments, and researchers can gain knowledge about how ADHD can be treated or prevented. Ask your doctor if a clinical study is right for you.
It's also important to rule out any other medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms to ADHD, such as sleep apnea, depression, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning. It's also important to mention any past or current alcohol or drug abuse, since it can affect your ability to concentrate and pay attention.
Education
Treatment for adults with ADHD should consist of therapy, medication and life skills training and counseling. Adults may benefit from the same treatments as children, however it might take longer for them to be successful because their bodies and minds have grown. It may also be necessary to treat psychiatric disorders that resemble ADHD symptoms.
For the majority of people suffering from ADHD, stimulants are the medication of choice. These medications improve attention and reduce impulsiveness. They can also cause adverse effects like insomnia or fatigue which need to be addressed. They also can interact with certain medications as well as food items. Start with a lower dose and gradually increase it over the course of 7 days until you reach a point where you can manage your ADHD symptoms without experiencing too many side effects.
You can learn skills to manage ADHD symptoms through psychotherapy, for example cognitive behavioral therapy. For example, CBT can encourage you to change your distorted thoughts that cause negative behaviors like procrastination. CBT can help you break down big tasks and create a more efficient routine. Marital and family counseling can aid you and your loved ones understand and support one another.
A healthy diet can help improve your ADHD symptoms as well as overall health. Try eating a balanced diet that includes fish, the vitamins zinc as well as magnesium, iron and complex carbohydrates. Consuming three meals a day is important. Avoid skipping meals and eating sweet snacks. A well-balanced diet will ensure you have constant energy throughout the day and boost your mood and ability to focus.
Certain people with ADHD struggle to get enough sleep. A sleepless night can cause symptoms to worsen the next day. You can improve your sleep quality by setting a regular time for bed and getting up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Avoid drinking caffeine, nicotine and alcohol prior to the bed.
Participating in a clinical trial could help you find better treatment for ADHD. Ask your doctor if have the ability to participate in clinical trials.