Adult ADHD Treatment
Most adults with ADHD improve through a combination of medication, lifestyle modifications, behavior strategies and counseling. Doctors will consider the person's medical history and determine if any other health issues like anxiety or depression, might be contributing to symptoms.
The stimulants are often the first medications that is tried. Other medications include the nonstimulant Atomoxetine (Strattera) and a few antidepressants.
Medication
Stimulant medication is usually the first-line treatment for adults with ADHD. They help regulate the levels of two chemical messengers within your brain that control the ability to focus. They are dopamine and norepinephrine. Stimulants increase the amount of norepinephrine, which increases your concentration. They also slow down the brain's natural tendency to take dopamine, which decreases the impulsivity and hyperactivity.
You can make use of medication to ease your symptoms and perform better at school, work or in other areas of your life. They won't solve all your problems. They could cause adverse effects, such as weight loss, irritability, or difficulties sleeping. Speak to your doctor about possible side effects.
The medications used to treat ADHD in adults are a mix of stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Your doctor will determine the best dosage and medicine for you based upon your symptoms, health history and your particular situation. Some people will not react to stimulant medications, while others may not have any reaction at all.
There are three types: immediate-release medication, extended-release medication, and atomoxetine. Immediate-release medication can be taken when needed. They typically peak 30 to 60 minutes after intake and then gradually fade away. Extended-release medicines are taken one time each day and last up to 16 hours, helping in reducing symptoms. Most often, those who are taking extended-release ADHD medications are supplemented with an immediate-release dose in late afternoon or in the evening.
Atomoxetine, which was the first nonstimulant drug approved to treat ADHD in adults, operates by limiting the action of certain chemicals in the brain that regulate mood and attention. It is a more long-lasting, sustained release medication than other ADHD medication, like Bupropion (Wellbutrin) which works by increasing norepinephrine, and dopamine in your brain.
Your doctor may prescribe guanfacine or clonidine or other drugs that control the part of the brain that regulates your attention. These medications can be beneficial to people suffering from ADHD and tics or anxiety. These medications are known as cholinergic drugs and are available only on prescription from your physician or psychiatrist.
Therapy
In addition to medications Therapy is often an integral part of an ADHD treatment program. Talk therapy can help you and your family understand how your ADHD affects your relationships and life. It can also teach you strategies for coping and how to manage your ADHD symptoms.
A therapist can show you strategies to stay organized and in control of your surroundings. A therapist can teach you how to resolve conflicts and problem-solving as well as methods to increase focus and concentration. You might learn meditation, breathing exercises yoga, or other relaxing methods to relax yourself and improve your mood. This is sometimes referred to as biofeedback or hypnotherapy.
A therapist can also assist you to build coping skills to deal with the behavioral and emotional issues that are common among adults with ADHD. A therapist can, for example, provide cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a talking therapy that teaches how your beliefs and thoughts influence your behavior and feelings. CBT is particularly effective in treating executive functioning issues that co-travel with ADHD like difficulty organizing, planning and time management.
Another alternative is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) which can help you change how you respond to difficult emotions. DBT includes mindfulness, which teaches how to observe your thoughts without judgement, emotion regulation, which helps you manage emotional distress, as well as interpersonal skills training. It is a great option for people suffering from co-occurring disorders, such as depression and anxiety disorders.
It's important to remember that even when you start taking medication, it can take some time for your body to adjust to the new medication. You might continue to have issues at work and home until you've gained enough experience to cope with your symptoms. In the meantime, make small lifestyle adjustments to help deal with the symptoms.
Ask your boss or professor for accommodations if you're forgetful and impulsive. This will help you get through your classes. Similarly, you can request family members and friends to accommodate your ADHD. You may also want to think about family therapy or marriage counseling, which can aid you and your loved ones learn to communicate better and comprehend each other's challenges.
Education
For adults, psychosocial treatments can help alleviate symptoms and improve functioning. These treatments may comprise a range of therapies and can be offered in person or via the internet. These treatments can be combined with medication to obtain the most effective results.
One of the first steps to treatment for ADHD is to obtain an assessment. A qualified mental health professional uses scales and semistructured clinical interview to collect information about the individual's struggles. They can then determine the cause of the problem and provide a treatment plan.
Talk therapy can be used to help people with ADHD deal with their issues and manage their symptoms. Some of these treatments include psychoeducation, which educates patients about their condition and how it affects their school, work and relationships. Other therapies focus on regulating emotions and enhancing the ability to manage their time. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people overcome negative beliefs and behaviors that may be holding them back.
Marriage and family therapy can help to address the challenges ADHD can bring in personal and professional relationships. It can help couples and families improve their communication and identify the patterns that can cause to conflict. It can also assist them to discover ways to improve their interactions and develop a more positive outlook for the future.
Behavioral therapy can help people with ADHD increase their self-esteem and gain a more realistic perspective about their abilities. It can also help them to manage their time and money more efficiently, improve their organizational skills, control their impulsive behavior, and improve at coping with stress and anger. These abilities can be taught in a group or in a private session with the psychotherapist.
Meditation, or mindfulness training, can also be a useful form of therapy for adults with ADHD. It helps people gain more control over their lives by teaching them to be in the present moment and become more aware. It can be done in a group or with an therapist and combined with other treatment methods like CBT and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
Other options for treating ADHD in adults include cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal therapy. These therapies focus on improving interpersonal skills. Some people with ADHD employ complementary health methods to manage their symptoms, including dietary changes and supplements. While these approaches are not scientifically proven to improve ADHD, some people find them helpful.
Support
As an adult suffering from ADHD you may feel overwhelmed by your difficulties. Everything from paying your bills to working to meet deadlines at work, managing relationships and maintaining your home can be a challenge when your ADHD symptoms get worse. The symptoms can also affect your self-esteem, making it difficult to understand why you behave the way you do. It's crucial to seek treatment to overcome your issues and lead a an active and productive life.
Many adults suffering from ADHD discover that medications are effective but they do not solve all the symptoms or improve your quality-of-life. It's important that you get an integrated treatment plan for adult adhd, which includes therapy and medication.
Therapy can help you to manage your ADHD symptoms and build coping skills. It can also teach you ways to manage your relationships and emotions. Relaxation techniques can also help you reduce stress and improve your focus. You should also seek out support from your family and friends. Talk therapy can help you learn how to better communicate and deal with anger and impulsive behavior.
There are several types of talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and metacognitive therapy, and interpersonal therapy. CBT is a research-based approach that helps you change negative thoughts and patterns of thought and develop better strategies for coping. treat adult adhd helps you improve your organizational skills as well as time management and planning. It can also help to eliminate mental distortions that can lead to an unhappy mood and a feeling of a lack of choices.
A recent study of an adult cognitive remediation program showed that the program included small group therapy sessions and coaching, in addition to exercises. This improved quality of life, and decreased symptoms (Stevenson and co. 2002). This type of therapy is typically less expensive than individual psychotherapy. It also allows you to take part in sessions with others who have similar challenges and can be more friendly.
There are a number of online resources for finding an adult adhd therapist as well as support groups. Some of these providers provide virtual sessions via video chat or chat rooms, while others offer face-to-face meetings in your local area. These services are growing in popularity, and research is ongoing to determine their effectiveness.