ADHD is usually associated with children, but if left untreated or ignored in the childhood, it can be carried on to adulthood. This may affect the professional as well as personal life of an individual. Find out different ways to treat this disorder in the early stage.
When hyperactivity is associated with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), then it is known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is very commonly found in children. Hence, this disorder can be treated in childhood itself. But if the disorder is not treated at all or if it is not treated properly then it may be carried to adulthood. Nearly 60% of ADHD cases found in adults is due to the lack of treatment during childhood.
In children the symptoms usually go unnoticed as they do not have much responsibilities and hence the symptoms are considered as a part of poor concentration. But as the responsibility increases with increasing age, ADHD symptoms may start affecting the career, relationship and even the normal life of the person. Hence, it becomes very necessary to get the treatment as soon as possible.
Treatment for ADHD in Adults
The symptoms of ADHD can worsen in adults and affect both personal as well as professional life. It may manifest as physical and mental health problems. The person suffering from ADHD may not be able to perform well at his workplace, which in turn will affect his career and will result in depression and stress. Relationship issues may also come into picture when the expectations of the partner are not fulfilled. Hence it is very important to get this disorder treated as soon as possible. Following are some of the ways to overcome this situation.
Self Help
These are the changes which one needs to make on his own. These are very effective and will help you a lot in all stages of life.
- First of all, get a good sleep. Sleep is the best way to relax your body and mind. Hence if you sleep well, your mind will work better. So it is necessary to sleep for 7 to 8 hours daily.
- Eat healthy food. Your body needs nutrients to work properly. Hence maintain a proper diet and do not skip any meal. Have healthy and fresh food.
- Reduce the intake of sugary food to help your mind to work efficiently.
- Regular exercise will help you remain fit and energetic. Yoga and meditation are best for improving concentration.
- Spend some quality time with your family and friends. Try to discuss your problems with people who understand you better.
- Create your own deadlines. Practice better and proper time management. Take regular breaks in between and do not keep any work pending.
Medical Treatments
If the points given in the self help section are not working well for you, then you need to take medical help. Following are some of the medications which can be prescribed to you by a medical professional.
- Vyvanse
- Ritalin
- Concerta
- Focalin
- Dexedrin
- Adderall
All these medications are stimulant drugs. They all have some or the other side effect, hence they should be taken only after consulting a doctor. Strattera is the only non-stimulant drug which is prescribed for the treatment of ADHD and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Therapy
There are many therapies which are considered to be effective for treating ADHD in adults. They are most effective in terms of emotional behavior of the person.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective therapies for people affected with ADHD. The main purpose of this therapy is to change the negative thinking and negative aspect of one’s life towards better and positive thinking. This is done by motivating them and working on the practical issues. This may require a lot of sessions but is very effective.
- Talk therapy is also used to discuss the failure, problems, relationship conflicts, etc. This helps the person to discuss everything and face the situation in a positive way.
- Marriage and family therapy is very helpful in improving the relationships and the problems faced by the person. It educates the family members about the situations their loved ones are facing and try to resolve them in a healthy way.
Symptoms of ADHD in Adults
A person suffering from ADHD may show poor concentration and distraction from his work but this is many a time left unnoticed and it is considered as the person’s fault or his carelessness. But ADHD is actually caused due to the chemical imbalance in the brain, hence it requires treatment. Following are some of the prominent symptoms which will help you to understand this disorder in detail.
- Difficulty in paying attention.
- Hyperactive: cannot sit at one place for a long time.
- Impulsive behavior: switching jobs very rapidly.
- Poor time management and unable to complete the task in time.
- Forgetfulness: forgetting keys, small things and even whole conversations.
- Highly disorganized, which can be observed from their work or study table.
- Get very excited for some work and then lose interest or get bored very fast.
- Low self-esteem or unhappy as they are not able to complete their task on time.
- They overreact to emotional situations and get depressed, confused and stressed.
Apart from the medication and therapies, the most important and effective way is self help. Medications and therapies will work only when you have a strong will power. Just believe in yourself, have confidence and change your lifestyle. Once you get control over your mind you will succeed in every aspect of your life.
