Adult ADHD Treatment
Most adults with ADHD improve with a combination treatment, behavioral strategies and lifestyle adjustments. Doctors will look at the medical history of a patient and determine if any other disorders, like depression or anxiety disorder could be contributing to symptoms.
Often, stimulants are the first drugs people attempt. Other medications include atomoxetine, an anti-stimulant (Strattera), and certain antidepressants.
Medication
Adults with ADHD are usually treated with stimulant medications. They help regulate the levels of two chemical messengers within your brain that regulate focus. These are norepinephrine and dopamine. Stimulants increase the amount of norepinephrine, which increases your concentration. They also lessen the brain's natural inclination to absorb dopamine and reduces hyperactivity.
Medications can improve your symptoms and help you perform better at school, at work or in other aspects of your life. However, they aren't going to solve all your problems. There are treat adhd as weight loss, irritability or trouble sleeping. Consult your physician about the potential side effects of any medication that you are prescribed.
The drugs used to treat ADHD in adults are a mix of stimulants and nonstimulant drugs. Your doctor will decide the best dosage and medicine for you based upon your symptoms and health history as well as your specific situation. Some people are not able to react to stimulant medication while others may not experience any reaction at all.
There are three kinds of ADHD medications that are immediate-release, extended-release and atomoxetine. Instant-release medications are used as needed and typically peak within 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion and fade quickly. Extended-release medications are consumed once every day and last up to 16 hours, helping with symptom control. Patients who take extended-release ADHD medications usually supplement them with a dose of instant-release late in the afternoon or evening.
Atomoxetine which was the first nonstimulant drug approved to treat ADHD in adults, works by limiting the effects of certain chemicals in the brain that control attention and mood. It is a longer-lasting, sustained-release medication than other ADHD medications, like bupropion (Wellbutrin) which is a stimulant that increases the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain.
Your doctor might also prescribe guanfacine or clonidine, which work by regulating the brain part that regulates your attention. They can be beneficial for people with ADHD who also suffer from tics or anxiety. These medications, also known as cholinergic drugs are only available with a prescription from your doctor or psychiatrist.
Therapy
Therapy is often part of the treatment of ADHD in conjunction with medication. Therapy can aid your family members and help you learn how ADHD affects your relationships and lifestyle. It can also help you learn coping skills and strategies to manage your ADHD symptoms.
For instance Therapists can teach you techniques for organizing to ensure you are on top of tasks and control your environment. A therapist can help you learn how to resolve conflicts and problem-solving and strategies to improve focus and concentration. You could learn breathing exercises, meditation yoga, or other relaxing techniques to help you relax and improve your mood. This is sometimes referred to as hypnotherapy or biofeedback.
A therapist can also help you develop coping skills for dealing with the behavioral and emotional issues that are common to adults with ADHD. A therapist could, for example, provide cognitive behavioral therapy which is a type of talk therapy that teaches you how your thoughts and beliefs influence your mood and behavior. CBT is particularly effective at addressing executive functioning issues associated with ADHD and other disorders, such as difficulty in organizing, planning, and time management.
Dialectical behavior therapy is another option. It helps you change the way you react to difficult emotions. DBT includes elements such as mindfulness, which teaches you to be aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgement and emotion regulation, which is focused on managing distressing emotions and the development of interpersonal skills. It is for people with multiple disorders, like depression and anxiety disorders.
Remember that it can take a while for the body to adjust to new medications. You might continue to have issues at work and at home until you've gained enough experience to manage your symptoms. In the meantime, you can try implementing small changes to your routine to help you manage.
For instance, if indecisive and forgetful, you should ask your professor or boss about accommodations that will aid you in your studies. You can also ask friends and relatives to allow for your ADHD. You might also think about marriage counseling or family therapy that can help you and your loved ones to communicate better and understand each other's challenges.
Education
For adults, psychosocial treatment can help reduce symptoms and improve the functioning. The treatments comprise a variety of therapies and can be offered in-person or online. They may also be paired with medication for the most effective results.
One of the first steps in treatment for ADHD is to obtain an assessment. A trained mental health professional will employ scales and semi-structured interviews to gather information about the individual's difficulties. They will then be able to make an accurate diagnosis, and provide an appropriate treatment plan.
Talk therapy can help individuals with ADHD manage their problems and build skills to cope with them. Some of these treatments include psychoeducation, which educates patients about their condition and how it affects their the workplace, at school and in relationships. Other treatments are focused on improving organizational skills and managing emotions. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists people to change their negative attitudes 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 learn how to communicate better and identify patterns that lead conflict. It can also assist in exploring ways to improve interactions and provide a positive outlook on the future.
Behavioral therapy can help adults suffering from ADHD increase their self-esteem and develop a more realistic attitude about their abilities. It can teach them how to manage their finances, time and their personal space and control their impulsive behaviors and help them manage stress and anger. These skills can be taught either in a group setting or in a private session with a therapy.
Meditation or mindfulness training is a potent method of treatment for adults with ADHD. It can help people concentrate on the present moment and be more aware of their feelings, helping them gain a greater sense of control over their lives. It can be done in a group or in a therapy session with a therapist and it can be used in conjunction with other treatment methods, like CBT and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
Other treatment options for adults with ADHD include cognitive-behavioral therapies and interpersonal therapy, which is focused on building interpersonal skills. Some people with ADHD employ complementary health methods to manage their symptoms, such as eating habits and supplements. These methods haven't been proven scientifically to help improve ADHD however, some people find them useful.
Support
As an adult with ADHD you may feel overwhelmed by your challenges. add treatment for adults from paying off bills to meeting deadlines at work to managing relationships and keeping your house clean can be a challenge when your ADHD symptoms get worse. The symptoms can also affect your self-esteem and make it difficult to know what's going on with you. It's important to seek treatment to help you overcome your challenges and live an active and productive life.
Medications are effective for many adults suffering from ADHD however they do not solve all the symptoms or improve your quality of life. This is why it's crucial to take a mix of medication and therapy as part of your adult treatment for adhd.
Therapy can help you understand and manage your ADHD symptoms and develop strategies for coping. It can teach you how to manage your emotions, and also your relationships. Relaxation techniques can also aid in reducing stress and improve your focus. It is also essential to receive help from your family and friends. Talk therapy can help you learn how to communicate better and deal with anger and impulsive behavior.
There are a variety of talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychotherapy for interpersonal relationships, and metacognitive therapy. CBT is a scientifically-based method that helps you overcome negative thought patterns and develop better strategies for coping. Metacognitive therapy can assist you to improve organizational skills, planning and time management. It can also help you overcome the distortions in your thinking that cause low mood and a feeling of limited options.
A recent study of a cognitive remediation program for adults with ADHD showed that the program, which consisted of small group therapy sessions, coaching and exercises increased the quality of life and reduced symptom severity (Stevenson et al 2002). This kind of therapy could be more affordable than individual psychotherapy. This type of therapy permits you to share sessions with other people who are facing similar issues and can be a great source of support.
There are many online resources that can help you find an adult adhd therapist as well as support groups. Some of these offer virtual sessions via chatrooms or video chat as well as local meetings. These services are growing in popularity, and research is being conducted to evaluate their effectiveness.