Adult ADHD Treatment
Most people with ADHD improve through a combination of medication, behavioral strategies and lifestyle changes. Doctors will consider a person's health history and whether any other conditions, such as anxiety or depression, might be contributing to the symptoms.
Most often, stimulants are the first drugs that people test. Other medications include the non-stimulant Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants in certain forms.
Medication
Adults with ADHD are usually treated with stimulant drugs. These medications help to regulate the levels of two chemical messengers within your brain that regulate focus. These are norepinephrine and dopamine. Stimulants work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine present in your brain, which increases focus. They also reduce the brain's natural inclination to absorb dopamine and reduces hyperactivity.
Medicines can help ease your symptoms and enable you to perform better at school, at work or in other areas of your life. They can't solve all your issues. treating add may cause adverse effects, such as weight loss, irritability or difficulties sleeping. Speak to your doctor about possible side effects.
Nonstimulants and stimulants are used to treat ADHD in adults. Your doctor will recommend the correct dosage and medicine for you based on your individual situation, symptoms and health history. Some people aren't able to respond to stimulant medication and others may experience no reaction at all.
There are three kinds of ADHD medications that are immediate-release, extended-release and Atomoxetine. Immediate-release medications are available when required. They typically last between 30 and 60 minutes after intake and then gradually fade away. Extended-release medications can last up to 16 hours and are administered once a day. They assist with the management of symptoms. Patients who take extended-release ADHD medications often supplement them with a dose of instant-release late in the evening or afternoon.
Atomoxetine is the first nonstimulant approved to treat ADHD in adults. It is a drug that blocks certain chemicals that control mood and attention in the brain. It is a longer-lasting, sustained release medication than other ADHD drugs, like Bupropion (Wellbutrin), that enhances norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain.
Your doctor may also prescribe guanfacine or clonidine, which work by regulating the part of your brain that controls the attention. They can be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD who also suffer from tics or anxiety. These are referred to as cholinergic agents. They are available by prescription only from your doctor or psychiatrist.
Therapy
Therapy is often part of the treatment of ADHD, along with medication. Talk therapy can aid you and your family understand how your ADHD affects your relationships and life. It can teach you strategies and coping skills to manage your ADHD symptoms.
For instance, a therapist may teach you organizational techniques to ensure you are on top of tasks and control your environment. A therapist can also teach you problem-solving and conflict resolution techniques and techniques for improving focus and concentration. You can learn yoga, breathing exercises, meditation or other relaxation techniques in order to calm yourself down and improve your mood. It is sometimes referred to as hypnotherapy or biofeedback.
A therapist can help you create strategies for coping with emotional and behavioral issues that are common to adults with ADHD. Therapists can, 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 that are associated with ADHD and other disorders, such as difficulty in planning, organizing and managing time.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is another alternative. It assists you in changing your way of reacting to difficult emotions. DBT includes mindfulness, which teaches how to observe your thoughts without judgement and emotion regulation which assists you in managing distressing emotions, and training in interpersonal skills. It is designed for those with comorbid disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
Remember that it can take a long time for your body to adjust to new medication. There may be issues at work and home until you have developed the skills to cope with symptoms. In the meantime, you can make small lifestyle changes to help cope.
Ask your boss or professor to make accommodations if you're unorganized and impulsive. This will help you succeed in class. You can also request your family and friends to provide accommodations for your ADHD. You might also look into marriage counseling or family therapy that can aid you and your loved ones learn to communicate better and understand the challenges of each other.
Education
For adults, psychosocial treatment can reduce symptoms and improve functioning. These treatments can comprise a variety of therapies and may be delivered in person or online. They may also be paired with medication for the best results.
A diagnosis is the first step in treating ADHD. A trained mental health professional will utilize scales and semi-structured clinical interviews to gather information about the individual's challenges. Then, they will make an accurate diagnosis and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Talk therapy can help individuals with ADHD manage their issues and build skills to cope with the challenges they face. Some of these treatments include psychoeducation, which helps to educate patients about their condition and how it impacts them in school, work and relationships. Other therapies focus on managing emotions and enhancing organizational skills. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people to change their negative beliefs and behavior that may hinder their progress.
Therapy for families and marriage can help address the challenges ADHD can bring in personal and professional relationships. It can help couples and families how to communicate more effectively and spot patterns that lead to conflict. It can also assist in exploring ways to improve interactions and provide a positive outlook on the future.
Adults with ADHD benefit from a behavioral therapy program by improving their self-esteem and establishing an honest perspective of their abilities. It can also teach how to manage their time and finances more effectively and improve their organizational skills, manage impulsive behavior and become better at managing stress and anger. These skills can be taught in a group setting or in a private session with the psychotherapist.
The practice of mindfulness or meditation can be a powerful form of therapy to treat adult ADHD. It can teach people to focus on the present moment and become more aware of their feelings, helping them attain a better sense of control over their lives. It can be practiced in a group or by a therapist, and is used with other treatment methods like CBT and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
Other treatments for ADHD in adults include cognitive behavioral and interpersonal therapy. These treatments focus on improving interpersonal skills. Certain people with ADHD use complementary health approaches to manage their symptoms, including eating habits and supplements. These methods haven't been proven scientifically to help improve ADHD but some people find them useful.
Support
As an adult suffering from ADHD you may feel overwhelmed by your challenges. When your ADHD symptoms flare it can be difficult to manage relationships to paying bills and meeting deadlines can be challenging. The symptoms can also impact your self-esteem, making it difficult to know why you are acting the way you do. It is essential to seek out treatment to help you overcome your issues and lead a a more productive life.
Medications are effective for many adults with ADHD, but they don't treat all of the symptoms or enhance your quality of life. This is why it's crucial to combine therapy and medication as part of your adult adhd treatment plan.
Therapy can help you understand and manage your ADHD symptoms and develop coping skills. It will also teach you how to manage your mood and relationships. You could also benefit from learning relaxation techniques that can ease anxiety and improve your focus. It is also important to seek support from family and friends. Talk therapy can help you learn how to better communicate and deal with anger and impulse-driven behavior.
There are many kinds of talk therapy. They include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), metacognitive and interpersonal therapy. CBT is a tried and tested method that helps you improve your techniques for coping and to change negative thought patterns. Metacognitive therapy can help you improve your organization skills as well as time management and planning. It can also help resolve mental distortions that can lead to negative moods and feeling that you have a limited number of choices.
A recent study of an adult cognitive remediation program showed that the program was comprised of small-sized group therapy sessions and coaching, as well as exercise. This improved the quality of life and reduced symptoms (Stevenson and al 2002). This kind of therapy is usually cheaper than individual psychotherapy. This type of therapy permits you to share sessions with others who are facing similar issues, which can be supportive.
There are a number of online resources to find an adult adhd therapist and support groups. Some of these services offer virtual sessions through chat rooms or video chat and others provide face-to-face sessions in your area. These services are increasing in popularity and research is ongoing on their effectiveness.