ADD/ADHD requires medication in order to regulate and control their condition. This in turn allows people to perform their day to day task in a timely and effective manner. Medications, however, can vary from person to person making it important to find the right treatment that best suit one’s preference and taste. Age is also a huge contributing factor in helping decide the right medication for patients. Let us look at what is the best ADD/ADHD medication for adults and why.

As mentioned earlier medications can depend on what type of ADD/ADHD a person has. One size fits all does not apply when managing ADD/ADHD symptoms. This is the reason why a person who has ADD/ADHD may exhibit behaviors that are different from other patients who are suffering from the same condition. Another factor that needs to be considered are the different parts of the brain that are involved with ADD/ADH. Treatment usually revolves around these factors especially since different meds are more effective for different parts of the brain.

There are 7 Different Types of ADD/ADHD each with their own set of symptoms; these include:

• Classic ADD
• Inattentive ADD
• Overfocused ADD
• Temporal Lobe ADD
• Limbic ADD
• Ring of Fire ADD
• Anxious ADD

Classic ADD: shows common symptoms of inattentiveness while at the same time also gets easily distracted, impulsive, and disorganized.

Inattentive ADD: is often characterized for its short attention span making one have trouble focusing, being disorganized, and having problems with time management with patients exhibiting signs of procrastination. Patients aren’t hyperactive or impulsive but instead daydream and often appear unmotivated or apathetic.

Overfocused ADD: just as the name implies, people who have overfocused ADD tend to have excessive or senseless worrying. Aside from that, they often get stuck negative thought patterns or behaviors making them have the tendency to hold grudges.

Temporal Lobe ADD: shows symptoms of classic ADD along with other behavioral traits such as quick temper and aggression. Memory problems are also common, making them irritable as a result.

Limbic ADD: aside from exhibiting low energy, people with limbic ADD also tend to be moody with chronic low-level sadness and self-esteem.

Ring of Fire ADD: is identified by patients who are quite sensitive to noise, light, clothes, or touch. They also show unpredictable behavior and sometimes talk too fast or in some cases appear anxious or fearful.

Anxious ADD: patients who have anxious ADD tend to be anxious, tense, and nervous on a frequent basis. Social situations are not good for them as they oftentimes freeze in anxiety-provoking situations.

ADD/ADHD Medication

There is no definitive medication for ADD/ADHD. For instance, stimulant medications are considered to be the pharmaceutical treatment of choice with ADD/ADHD. With that being said, stimulants may make symptoms worse with regard to the ring of fire ADD. For that matter, getting the opinion of a professional will definitely go a long way in helping patients manage their condition. These doctors may also advise some behavioral therapies to help them cope with ADD/ADHD. Make sure to work hand in hand with your doctors by cooperating with them fully.

No two kids are the same whether they have ADHD or not. For those who suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, there’s no one treatment that works the same way for all ADHD kids.

Among the major reasons why this is so is that there are different types of ADHD and that there are two major components that affect the condition: the biological and behavioral. Based on researches, it’s the right combination of social skills training, prescribed medication, and behavioral therapy that will work as ADHD medication for children.

The starting point for treating ADHD is through getting an accurate diagnosis. Parents and teachers can easily notice a child who’s fidgety, can’t complete the school work, and someone who has problems focusing. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the child has ADHD.

These symptoms are all part of ADHD diagnosis but they can also be caused by other conditions like anxiety, depression, and others. You might find it unbelievable but the same symptoms can also be seen in children with ear infections.

Thus before seeking out the right ADHD medication for children, it’s necessary to have an accurate diagnosis and this is only possible if the child undergoes both a psychological and physical evaluation.

Physical evaluation will rule out possibility that a physical ailment is causing the symptoms. Psychological evaluation on the other hand will determine any cognitive or emotional disorders that might have caused the symptoms.

When it comes to ADHD treatments for children, the first thing that comes to mind for parents is psycho-stimulants. Examples of these are Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta. There’s a prescribed non-stimulant drug that’s been approved for ADHD children called Strattera.

You have to be aware that these prescribed medications are not meant to treat the condition but merely to manage the symptoms. There are also studies conducted by the government that revealed the side effects of these prescriptions such as stunted growth, weight loss, and sleep disturbances.

That’s why more parents resort to natural remedies for ADHD. These remedies normally include vitamins and natural supplements. Researches have also revealed that a combination of prim rose oil and fish oil is highly effective in controlling ADHD symptoms among children and adolescents.

An example of natural supplement is Synaptol. This natural remedy is formulated to strengthen the immune system and to develop a person’s calmness. Synaptol is intended to control hyperactivity and defiant behaviors.

Another herbal medication is Listol. It is composed of many different natural ingredients that directly work on the nervous system. Listol is meant to balance the neuro-transmitter production aspect of the body, enabling your brain to process and focus more.

Prescribed medication and herbal remedies may lay down the foundation for ADHD treatment, but behavioral and social interventions are also necessary for treating ADHD. The child learns about organization, maintaining focus, and impulse control through these interventions.

A therapist may also work together with teachers to come up with a set of strategies and interventions for the child to cope with the symptoms and lead a normal life. It’s important to emphasize on early intervention and treatment to reduce severity of long-term ADHD symptoms.

Behavioral problems are pretty common to children during their early years of their life. Behavior problems hindering them from achieving success and affecting their academic performance in school may have underlying problems behind them such as Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a common behavioral disorder that affects about 10% of school-age children. Children however, are not the only ones affected by ADHD. ADHD cases are also present in adults affecting their everyday activities. Let us look at some of the problems with ADHD in adults face as well as treatments available to help manage the condition.

ADHD Problems in Adults

As mentioned earlier, ADHD can affect the performance of adults in the field that they are working in. This becomes problematic especially if your colleagues and fellow employees don’t understand the behavioral disorder that you are facing.

Among the problems include trouble getting organized which affects their responsibilities as an adult. ADHD common trait is in attention which can make it hard for an individual to sustain focus and attention. For that matter, driving can be a serious handicap as ADHD symptoms can make people speed, have traffic accidents, and worst lose their driver’s licenses.

Another problem ADHD patients face are marital troubles due to their poor listening skills and an inability to honor commitments. The same can also be said when controlling their emotions making them quick to explode over minor problems. With that being said, this does not mean that ADHD patients are not fit to marry. It important for people with ADHD to open this up with their partner during the early years of their relationship. This in turn helps make them understand the condition better while at the same time, work hand in hand together in finding timely solution for the problem.

Adult ADHD Treatment

ADHD medications for children also works in adults. This includes stimulants such as Adderall, Concerta, Focalin, Vyvanse, Quillivant, and Ritalin. It should be noted that medications help relieve symptoms of ADHD but not necessarily cure them. Therapy is also known to help patients learn new skills which they can use to cope with symptoms and change habits that are causing problems. This includes stress and anger management, controlling impulsive behaviors, improving one’s organizational skills and the likes.

Lifestyle Changes

In some cases, medications are not enough to managed ADHD symptoms. A change in lifestyle maybe needed to in order to decrease the likelihood of triggering its symptoms. Exercising regularly will definitely go a long way in managing ADHD helping people improve their concentration, motivation, memory, and mood. Furthermore, exercise offers no side-effects as long as you practice moderation.

Patients should also never take sleep for granted especially since poor sleep quality can negative effects to your attention, focus, and mood. Managing stress also plays a very important role in treating ADHD so make sure that you are well rested while at the same time know a few relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga to help decrease your levels of impulsivity, anxiety, and depression.

ADHD is a global concern that affects a huge number of individuals all over the world. It is known as a mental disorder that affects about 10% of school-age children. Children who are diagnosed by this condition have a likelihood of bringing a number of its symptoms into adulthood. Children experience different problems which include paying attention, excessive activity, or difficulties in controlling one’s behavior. Adults however often possess symptoms that are unique for each individual. Let us look at ADHD in adults and how people cope with such challenges.

The Challenge for Adults

Early detection plays a very important role to people with ADHD as they are given plenty amount of time to cope and make the necessary adjustments for their disorder. Children also receive timely help and treatment with their parents giving them the much needed confidence boost that they need. Such is not the case however with adults as they will be having a hard time understanding what the cause of their problems are. This in turn can affect their chosen career paths as their performance and abilities are hindered greatly with ADHD. This is why it is important to determine the signs and symptoms of ADHD to help provide timely and effective relief to patients.

Signs and Symptoms in Adults

Often linked with behavioral problems, it seems to be one of the most common signs of ADHD in adults. These include difficulty in paying attention or focus, poor listening skills, extreme distractibility as well as struggling to complete tasks. Your co-workers may also take notice of your weird habits at work, such as having poor organization skills with a desk that is extremely cluttered or messy. The habit of procrastinating is also oftentimes linked with ADHD along with chronic lateness and losing or misplacing things.

Adults with ADHD also interact with others differently which can affect their social skills. They tend to have poor listening skills, the frequency to interrupt others, trouble behaving in socially appropriate ways and suffering from poor self-control. Due to this, people with ADHD suffer from emotional difficulties, having low self-esteem, and are easily flustered and stressed out. These in turn affect many aspects of their life including their physical and mental health, work and finance as well as their relationships.

Although there is still no found cure for ADHD, there is a variety of adult ADHD treatment options found today to help control the disorder. This includes self-help tips people can practice such as living a healthy lifestyle through exercise and eating right, getting plenty of sleep, and many more. Outside support can also be found through behavioral coaching, individual therapy, self-help groups, vocational counseling, educational assistance, and adhd medications for adults. All of these treatments go hand in hand together in helping people with ADHD manage and cope with their condition in an effective manner.

If you feel like you are experiencing some of the signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults, don’t hesitate to ask for help from a professional as you work together in finding adult ADHD treatment that suits your needs.

Food plays an important role in our day to day lives as this gives us the energy to keep working throughout the entire course of the day. Children benefit greatly from nutritious food as this aids in developing their body and mind helping them grow stronger and healthier in the process. With that being said, kids are known to be picky eaters only choosing the ones that they like. For that matter, it is important for parents to work with their children in creating a diet plan that is able to suit their needs and preference. The same can also be said with kids who are affected with ADHD making diet even more difficult in their case. Let us look at ADHD diet for kids that parents can consider in the present.

The Role of Dieting for Children

Even at an early age, leaving children alone to eat what they want can have serious repercussions in the future. This includes children becoming overweight or obese which can affect their overall health and lifestyle. Children who have ADHD already have a lot of issues they are facing, and adding weight issues to their concerns will increase the burden that they are carrying. In addition, deficiencies in certain types of foods can worsen ADHD symptoms making it problematic for children.

Planning Your Diet

Careful planning and consideration is important in order to maximize the effectiveness of the foods that you will be preparing. Protein filled foods are often advised as this can have beneficial effects on ADD symptoms. On the list are the following: lean beef, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, soy, and low-fat dairy products which are known to be rich in protein.

It is also important that you find a well-balanced meal for an ADHD diet for kids mixing them up in order to provide variety to your children. A huge dose of vitamins and minerals can be found with fruits and vegetables. On the other hand, whole grains are great sources of fiber which you can also add to their diet. Calcium also plays an integral role and is crucial during the growth gap years where bones are starting to develop. A good diet paired with ADHD medication for children helps keep them in a relatively good shape and condition.

What to Avoid?

We’ve mentioned several types of food that you can add to your diet plan, but what about the ones that you want to avoid? Parents may want to lessen their child’s consumption of packaged snacks and processed foods. Fast food chains are very much popular in the present as their meals can be served and eaten in no time. With that being said, parents are advised to refrain from feeding their children these types of food on a regular basis as they offer little to no nutrition at all and can sometimes affect ADHD medication for children.

Ask for Advice

For parents who are still uncertain on what kinds of food they want to add to their child’s diet, they can ask for advice from the dietician’s themselves. Working hand in hand with a dietician can help parents discover new recipes and dishes they can use to spice up the meals of their child. Furthermore, you can also find recipes over the internet shared by the online community making them fairly easy to acquire.

Research has shown that long-term use of the pain reliever acetaminophen during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk for neurodevelopmental problems like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and now a new study further confirms this link.

The comprehensive study, which was conducted by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and involved 132,738 mother and child pairs, suggests acetaminophen use in women who are pregnant can affect development of the fetal nervous system. According to researchers, prolonged use of the pain reliever/fever reducer led to a 20 percent higher-than-average risk for autism and a 30 percent higher risk for ADHD during the study’s 3- to 11-year follow-up period.

The researchers caution that pain and fever during pregnancy can also have a detrimental effect on the developing fetus, and advise that acetaminophen is still considered safe for short-term use in women who are expecting.

The Role of Medication in ADHD Treatment

Treatment for ADHD is often aimed at reducing symptoms, but that should not be the only criteria. The goal should be improved functioning in the real world, according to Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). This includes being self-sufficient, being able to cope with the demands of daily life, and having a better quality of life than one would have without treatment. Treatment for ADHD includes behavioral strategies, medication, parent training, and coaching.

According to ADHD Parents Medication Guide, medication “plays an important role in the treatment of children, adolescents and adults with ADHD…for most people with ADHD, medication dramatically reduces hyperactivity, improves attention and increases the ability to get along with others.” It also notes that children with ADHD who have other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, were especially helped by having individual and family treatment as part of their treatment plan.

Medication does not cure ADHD. But it does help to reduce symptoms, when taken as prescribed.

How medication helps

Approximately 80 percent of people respond positively to stimulant medications according to CHADD. They work by affecting the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, in the brain and enable networks of nerve cells in the brain to communicate more effectively with each other. Medications help most people with ADHD feel calmer and more able to focus and concentrate. They should not change a person’s personality, but might make them less hyperactive and more attentive.

Medications help increase attention span and focus, while reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity. Many people notice improvements in frustration tolerance and report that taking medication has led to improvements in relationships with parents, spouses, peers, and teachers.

Not everyone finds that medications work. Some find the benefits extraordinary, while some see modest improvements.

Types of medications for ADHD

The most common medications used to treat ADHD are psychostimulants, such as:

• Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, Daytrana, Methylin, Quillivant)
• Amphetamines (Adderall, Eveko, Adzenys)
• Dextroamphetamines (Dexedrine, ProCentra, Zenzedi)
• Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin)
• Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)

Stimulant medications begin working 30 to 90 minutes after taking the medication. Short-acting medications last four to six hours. Many are available in extended release (XR, ER), lasting anywhere from six to 12 hours, depending on the medication and dosage.

There are also non-stimulant medications (atomoxetine, clonidine, guanfacine), which are approved by the FDA in the treatment of ADHD. Clonidine can be used in combination with stimulants to improve its effectiveness. Where stimulant medications are effective immediately and the effects last for a short period of time, these medications must be taken every day to be effective. But you or your child might not feel the full effect for three to four weeks.

Other medications include antidepressants, antihypertensive medications, and wake-promoting medications, such as those used to treat narcolepsy. These can be tried if psychostimulants or non-stimulant medications are not effective or not well tolerated.

Side effects of ADHD medications

The most common side effects of stimulant medications are reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping. These are usually short-term and frequently go away after a few weeks. Some people have headaches or stomachaches, but this also usually disappears after taking medication for a few weeks.

Height and weight should be monitored by your doctor. Stimulant use may be associated with a small reduction in growth. According to the Multimodal Treatment Study of ADHD, this may continue into adulthood.

Treatment for children under six years old

For children under the age of six, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends behavior therapy as the first line of treatment, before trying medication. The AAP found many preschool age children with moderate to severe dysfunction had improved symptoms with behavioral therapy alone. If no significant improvement is seen with behavior therapy, then methylphenidate can be prescribed.

For children older than six, medications combined with behavior therapy is recommended. Stimulant medications have shown the best results, but non-stimulants and clonidine will work if stimulants are not tolerated.

The long-term use of stimulant medication

The Multimodal Treatment Study of ADHD (MTA) followed up 579 children who were between ages of 7 and 10 in 1999, the first year of study. Participants were randomly assigned to four groups: medication, medication plus behavior therapy, behavior therapy only, or community care, which was care organized and overseen by parents. They were intensively treated for 14 months.

The study found that medication was most effective. After the 14 months, treatment continued or didn’t based on parents’ discretion, but researchers still followed up with participants periodically and the results were published every few years. The most recent update was in March 2017. This follow-up confirmed that reduced height, by an average of 2.36 centimeters (about one inch), was still present in those that took stimulants.

A previous follow up, in 2007, had found that medications seemed to lose their effectiveness around three years after starting them. The follow up in 2016 found that more than 60 percent of the participants continued to have ADHD symptoms, regardless of whether they used medication or not. The most recent, in March 2017, found that symptom severity was not any different in those who took medication and those who didn’t.

This made people wonder whether the treatment was worth it, or whether it was only effective for a short time. Dr. Steve Hinshaw, a professor of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, isn’t sure that the MTA shows that medication isn’t effective.

In an article published in Wire Cognitive Science, he states it could be that intensive treatment with medication wasn’t necessarily occurring throughout the years; that the monitoring by parents that was apparent during the initial phase of the study was not present after the initial 14 months; or that some people may experience a burnout of the dopamine receptors, and that would make medication less effective.

“When ADHD medication is working, many of the ADHD symptoms go away. It is not uncommon, though, for some symptoms to linger. Behavior treatments may help with the remaining symptoms,” according to ADHD Parents Medication Guide.

It remains true that medication is effective for many people. It is up to you and your doctor to monitor this effectiveness and continue to evaluate its benefits.

Medications used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) don’t boost cognitive function in young adults who don’t actually have the condition, and may actually impair their thinking, according to researchers at the University of Rhode Island (URI) in Kingston and Brown University in Providence.

Their small study (just 13 subjects) contradicts common perceptions about stimulants in high schools and colleges throughout the United States: An estimated 5 to 35 percent of college students in the U.S. and other countries use these controlled substances illegally to bolster their academic performance.

Based on that, the researchers hypothesized that stimulant drugs like Ritalin, Adderall, and Vyvanse could improve academic performance. Instead, they discovered that the expected effects of the drugs – improved attention and focus – didn’t translate to better results on tests measuring reading comprehension or fluency, and in fact, the meds took a toll on working memory.

4 Lifestyle Changes to Help With ADHD Symptoms

No one likes a long meeting at work, but for most adults, enduring such a meeting is simple (although perhaps boring). For adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), however, a routine meeting can become a painful challenge. ADHD makes it difficult to concentrate, stay seated, recall information, and listen quietly — all skills that are necessary to navigate a routine meeting at work. Fortunately, some promising lifestyle changes may help alleviate the symptoms of adult ADHD.

ADHD is more common than you think

Recent research suggests that more and more adults are being diagnosed with ADHD, with estimates suggesting that more than 4 percent of adults in the United States are affected, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Many adults with ADHD may have been diagnosed as children, as ADHD symptoms can continue beyond adolescence. Others, however, may not have experienced ADHD symptoms as children. Recent studies suggest that adults may develop ADHD later in life.

So what’s behind the rapid rise in ADHD cases? Technology has become a common scapegoat, but science suggests that smartphones or the internet don’t cause ADHD, even if they can cause symptoms that mimic it. Instead, most ADHD research focuses on genetic causes (environmental factors are also being explored).

In fact, some experts believe there probably aren’t that many more cases of ADHD today — we’re just better at diagnosing it. More people know about ADHD now, meaning that patients who may have previously dismissed their symptoms now know to get help. Likewise, health care professionals have gotten better at identifying ADHD, so more people are getting a correct diagnosis and proper treatment.

The treatment status quo

At present, the most common treatments for adult ADHD are medication and behavioral therapy. Most ADHD medications are stimulants, like methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, and other brand names) and amphetamines (Adderall, Eveko, and other brand names), though there are other options available. Many people find these medications successfully alleviate ADHD symptoms, particularly when used in combination with therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for adults with ADHD often focuses on managing the everyday difficulties of dealing with ADHD. CBT can help adults with ADHD improve their time management, organization, and other essential skills. It can also help treat problems that often exist alongside ADHD, such as anxiety and depression.

Treating adult ADHD with lifestyle changes

Medication and CBT may be the current treatment standard for adults with ADHD, but there is promising research about alternative ADHD treatments and lifestyle changes. Practices such as meditation along with changes in exercise, diet, and sleep could very well be the future of ADHD treatment.

1. Meditation

Mindful meditation, for example, has been shown to reduce symptoms of hyperactivity and inattentiveness in adults with ADHD. Participants in the study practiced mindful meditation in addition to continuing their usual treatment. More than half of the meditating group reported a significant decrease in their symptoms, and the vast majority of participants planned to continue with meditation. While more research needs to be conducted, adults with ADHD may want to consider learning to meditate.

2. Exercise

Likewise, exercise has been proven to help mitigate symptoms of adult ADHD. Exercise has stress-relieving and focus-enhancing benefits that make it a great fit for adults looking to relieve ADHD symptoms. Experts suggest that adults with ADHD can benefit from a variety of exercises — yoga to promote calmness and focus, for example, or aerobic workouts to promote neurotransmitters.

3. Diet

While there isn’t much conclusive research on diet yet, some adults with ADHD find that changing their diet helps them naturally manage ADHD symptoms. A typical diet for ADHD features foods that nourish the brain, like protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Some people with ADHD also avoid certain artificial colorings, flavorings, and sweeteners.

4. Sleep

Finally, quality sleep could prove to be another natural treatment for ADHD. Recent evidence suggests that ADHD could be a misunderstood sleep disorder. Even if that’s not the case, ADHD can cause or exacerbate other sleep problems that can, in turn, make ADHD symptoms worse. Either way, adults with ADHD may find that practicing good sleep hygiene can help them to naturally manage their symptoms.

Of course, if you have been diagnosed with or believe you could have ADHD, you should work with your health care professionals to determine the best course of treatment for your personal situation.

What to do if you think you have adult ADHD

Keep in mind that being occasionally absentminded or antsy in a long meeting is not necessarily an indication of adult ADHD. On the other hand, consistent difficulty concentrating, staying organized, managing your time, and completing tasks could be cause for concern. Try completing an ADHD self-evaluation, which will ask you to evaluate certain behaviors. Based on your self-screening, you may want to see a professional for a formal diagnosis.

Remember, adult ADHD is very much a diagnosable and treatable condition. Proper treatment can help control symptoms and make everyday living easier, and meditation and lifestyle changes are a more promising option than ever before. If you think you might have adult ADHD, don’t wait — get help today!