How to Treat Adult ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a serious issue affecting many people. Adult ADHD has become more prevalent of a diagnosis in recent years with several options for treatment. The inattention, hyper behavior, and lack of focus associated with adult ADHD can be treated with or without prescription drugs such as Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine, and Wellbutrin. There are also a number of support groups, therapists, and books to help those suffering from adult ADD and ADHD live more focused and stable lives.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

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   Photo by thp365.

   Getting an adult ADHD diagnosis for the purposes of prescription medication usually requires you speak to your doctor, who might refer you to a psychiatrist.

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   Look up the symptoms of adult ADHD on websites such as Psychcentral.com and WebMD.com and bring any information to your doctor's appointment. If you are willing to consider medication and do not have heart or drug addiction issues, you may want to try the effective stimulant drugs Ritalin or Adderall.

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   Photo by Mo Riza.

   Read books about adult ADHD (see Resources section) so you can learn more about how to manage your symptoms without medication.

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   Secure the services of a therapist to discuss how you can stop your adult ADHD symptoms and live a more fulfilling life.

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   You might wish to find an adult ADHD in-person or online support group by visiting websites such as Add.org or ADHDnews.com.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider treating your adult ADHD condition by limiting junk foods and sugars, as these can really alter brain chemistry and cause problems with attention and motivation.
• Smoking marijuana is in most cases illegal and could be psychologically addictive, but those with adult ADHD may want to really be conscious of not using drugs or alcohol because of their impulsive nature. It can also alter brain chemistry and harm attempts to recover from ADD symptoms.

Resources

• Driven To Distraction : Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood
• Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder
• Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.? Stopping the Roller Coaster When Someone You Love Has Attention Deficit Disorder

[robertp49]

on 6/7/2009 That book you mention, Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.?, was a lifesaver for my wife and I. She'd known for a long time that she has ADHD, and I did, too, but we didn't really know what it meant -- or that it could affect our marriage and her health so adversely and severely. If you read just one book on Adult ADHD, make it this one. It's not just about relationships, though it has the only discussion I've seen of how untreated ADHD affects loved ones. It covers ALL the basics -- how to recognize ADHD, how to get an evaluation, what kinds of therapy work/don't work, how to achieve good results with medication, and getting through denial. This is a comprehensive "bible" for people with ADHD. (My wife read Driven to Distraction and didn't relate at all. It applies more to men, it seems, or hyperactive types. At any rate, it's pretty useless on the strategies.)

[MyJB]

on 3/21/2009 Information article and a starting point for adults with ADHD.