Adult ADHD Treatment
The majority of adults suffering from ADHD improve their performance with a combination of medicine, behavior strategies and lifestyle modifications. Doctors will consider the health history of the patient and determine if any other health issues, such as anxiety or depression, could be contributing to symptoms.
The stimulants are often the first drugs to be tried. Other medications include the nonstimulant atomoxetine (Strattera) and a few antidepressants.
Medication
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with stimulant drugs. These medications help to regulate the levels of two chemical messengers in your brain that control the ability to focus. These are dopamine and norepinephrine. The stimulants increase the amount of norepinephrine in your brain, which improves focus. They also slow down the brain's natural tendency to take dopamine, which can reduce the impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Medications can improve your symptoms and allow you to be more productive at school, work or in other areas of your life. However, they won't fix all your problems. They may cause side effects such as weight loss, irritability or difficulty sleeping. Consult your physician about the potential side effects of any medication you are prescribed.
The drugs used to treat ADHD in adults are a mix of stimulants and nonstimulant drugs. Your doctor will suggest the correct dosage and medicine for you based on your individual situation, symptoms, and health history. Some people are not able to react to stimulant medication while others may not have any reaction at all.
There are three types of ADHD medications including immediate-release, extended release and Atomoxetine. Immediate-release medications can be taken as needed. They typically last between 30 and 60 minutes after intake, and then slowly fade. Extended-release medicines can last for up to 16 hours and are taken every day. They help with the management of symptoms. The majority of people who take extended-release ADHD medications also take an immediate-release dose during the late afternoon or in the evening.
Atomoxetine is the first non-stimulant approved to treat ADHD among adults. It is a drug that blocks certain chemicals that regulate attention and mood in the brain. It is a more long-lasting and sustained-release medication than other ADHD medications, like bupropion (Wellbutrin), which works by increasing the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain.
Your doctor may prescribe guanfacine, clonidine or other drugs which regulate the part of your brain that regulates your attention. These may be helpful for people with ADHD who also have tics or anxiety. These medications are known as cholinergic agents and are available by prescription only from your psychiatrist or doctor.
Therapy
Therapy is often included in the treatment of ADHD as well as medication. Talk therapy can help your family members and help you learn how ADHD affects your relationships and lifestyle. It can help you develop strategies and techniques to manage your ADHD symptoms.
A therapist can help you learn strategies to stay organized and in control of your surroundings. A therapist may also teach you problem-solving and conflict resolution techniques as well as methods to increase focus and concentration. You can learn breathing exercises, yoga meditation, or other relaxation techniques to help you calm down and improve your mood. This is also known as biofeedback and hypnotherapy.
A therapist can assist you to come up with strategies to deal with behavioral and emotional issues that are common among adults with ADHD. A therapist can offer, for instance, cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a talking therapy that teaches how your beliefs and thoughts affect your behavior and feelings. CBT is particularly effective at treating executive functioning issues related to ADHD and other disorders, such as difficulty in organizing, planning and managing time.
Another option is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) which assists you change how you respond to difficult emotions. DBT includes mindfulness, which teaches how to observe your thoughts without judgement and emotion regulation, which helps you manage difficult emotions, as well as the development of interpersonal skills. It is a program for people with multiple conditions, such as anxiety and depression.
It's important to remember that, even if you begin taking medicine, it takes a while for your body to adjust to the new medication. You might continue to have issues at work and at home until you've gained enough experience to cope with your symptoms. In the meantime, you can make small lifestyle changes to help you cope.
Ask your boss or professor to make accommodations if you're forgetful and impulsive. This will help you succeed in class. In the same way, you can request family members and friends to make allowances for your ADHD. You might also want to think about family therapy or marriage counseling that can aid you and your loved ones to communicate more effectively and appreciate the difficulties of one another.
Education
Psychosocial therapy for adults can reduce symptoms and improve function. These treatments may comprise a range of therapies that can be provided in person or via the internet. These treatments can be combined with medications to achieve the best results.
A diagnosis is the first step in treating ADHD. A qualified mental health professional will use scales and semistructured clinical interview to gather data on the individual's struggles. Then, they can determine the cause of the problem and recommend a treatment plan.
Talk therapy can help those with ADHD manage their problems and build the necessary skills to deal with these issues. Psychoeducation is one of the methods that can help patients understand their condition and the impact it has on school, work, and relationships. Other therapies are focused on managing emotions and enhancing organizational skills. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists people to change their negative beliefs and behaviors that could hinder their progress.
Counseling for families and marriage can help address the challenges that ADHD can create in professional and personal relationships. It can help families and couples how to communicate more effectively and identify patterns that can lead to conflict. It can also assist in identifying ways to improve communication and create positive expectations for the future.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from a treatment for behavioral issues by boosting their self-esteem and establishing a realistic view of their abilities. It can also teach them to manage their time and money more effectively, improve their organizational skills, control their impulsive behavior, and improve at managing stress and anger. These skills can be taught either in group or individually with a therapist.
Meditation or mindfulness training is a potent form of therapy to treat adult ADHD. It can teach people to be present in the moment and to be more aware of their feelings and feelings, allowing them to attain a better sense of control over their lives. It can be practiced in a group or with a therapist and can be utilized in combination with other treatment methods, including CBT and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
Other options for treating adult ADHD include cognitive-behavioral therapies and interpersonal therapy, which focuses on developing interpersonal skills. Some people with ADHD also turn to complementary treatments for health, such as diet and supplements to treat their symptoms. While these methods aren't scientifically proven to improve ADHD but some people find them helpful.
Support
As a mature adult with ADHD, you might feel overwhelmed by your difficulties. Everything from paying off bills to working to meet deadlines at work, managing relationships and keeping house is a challenge when ADHD symptoms get worse. Your symptoms can also impact your self-esteem and make it difficult to comprehend the issues you're experiencing. It is important to seek treatment to overcome your challenges and live an active lifestyle.
The use of medication is effective for a lot of adults with ADHD, but they don't address all symptoms or improve your quality of life. That's why it's important to take a mix of medication and therapy as part of your adult adhd treatment plan.
Therapy can help you learn to manage your ADHD symptoms, and also help you develop coping strategies. It can help you learn to manage your emotions and also your relationships. You may also benefit from learning relaxation techniques that can help reduce stress and boost your concentration. You should also seek support from your family and friends. Talk therapy can help you learn how to communicate better and how to deal with anger and impulsive behavior.
There are several types of talk therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as interpersonal therapy, and metacognitive therapy. CBT is an evidence-based approach that helps you change negative thought patterns and develop better strategies for coping. Metacognitive therapy can help you improve your organizational skills, plan and time management. It can also help you overcome mental distortions that can lead to negative moods and a feeling of limited options.
A recent study of an adult cognitive rehabilitation program revealed that the program offered small group therapy sessions, coaching, as well as exercise. This improved quality of life and reduced symptoms (Stevenson and al 2002). This kind of therapy could be less expensive than individual psychotherapy. This type of therapy allows you to share sessions with others who are experiencing similar issues and can be a great source of support.
There are a number of online resources for finding an adult adhd therapist as well as support groups. Some of these services offer virtual sessions using chat rooms or video chat, while others offer face-to-face sessions in your local area. These services are growing in popularity and research is ongoing to determine their effectiveness.