Adult ADHD Treatment
The majority of adults suffering from ADHD improve with a combination medication, behavioral strategies and lifestyle modifications. Doctors will look at a person's health history and determine if any other health issues, such as anxiety or depression, could contribute to the symptoms.
They are usually the first medication tried. Other medications include atomoxetine an anti-stimulant (Strattera), and certain antidepressants.
Medication
The use of stimulant medications is typically the first-line treatment for adults with ADHD. These medications help to regulate the levels of two chemical messengers in your brain that control focus. These are norepinephrine and dopamine. The stimulants increase the amount of norepinephrine in your body, which improves your ability to concentrate. They also lessen the brain's natural inclination to absorb dopamine and reduces hyperactivity.
You can take medication to ease your symptoms and perform better at work, school, or in other areas of your life. They will not solve all your issues. They may cause side effects such as weight loss, irritability or difficulty sleeping. Talk to your doctor about the potential side effects of any medication you are prescribed.
The medications used to treat ADHD in adults include both stimulants and nonstimulant drugs. Your doctor will decide the best dosage and medicine for you based on your symptoms and health history as well as your particular situation. Some people aren't able to respond to stimulant medications in any way however, others might experience no reaction whatsoever.
There are three types of ADHD medications including immediate-release, extended release and Atomoxetine. Immediate-release medications are taken in the course of need and typically peak between 30 and 60 minutes after consumption and fade quickly. Extended-release medicines are taken one time every day and last up to 16 hours, aiding in reducing symptoms. Often, people who are taking extended-release ADHD medications supplement them 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 and sustained-release medication than other ADHD medications, like bupropion (Wellbutrin) that is a stimulant that increases the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain.
Your doctor may prescribe guanfacine or clonidine or other medications which regulate the part of your brain that is responsible for your attention. These drugs can be beneficial for people with ADHD and anxiety or tics. These medications, also known as cholinergic drugs, are only available on prescription from your physician or psychiatrist.
Therapy
Therapy is often included in the treatment of ADHD as well as medication. Therapy can help your family members as well as help you understand how ADHD affects your relationships and life. It can also teach you strategies for coping and how to manage your ADHD symptoms.
For example therapy can teach you techniques for organizing to keep you on top of your work and control your surroundings. A therapist can help you learn conflict resolution and problem-solving skills and methods to increase focus and concentration. You can learn yoga, breathing exercises meditation, or other relaxation techniques to help you calm down and improve your mood. It is also referred to as biofeedback and hypnotherapy.
A therapist can help you develop coping strategies to deal with the behavioral and emotional issues common in adults with ADHD. A therapist could, for example, provide cognitive behavioral therapy that is a form of talking therapy that teaches you how your beliefs and thoughts affect your mood and behavior. CBT is particularly effective in treating executive functioning issues that can be a result of ADHD issues, like trouble organizing, planning and time management.
Another option is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which helps you modify your response to difficult emotions. DBT includes mindfulness, which teaches you to be aware of your thoughts without judgment and emotion regulation, which helps you manage distressing emotions, and interpersonal skills training. It is designed for those with co-occurring disorders, such as depression and anxiety disorders.
Remember that it can take a long time for your body to adjust to the new medication. It is possible that you will continue to experience problems at home and work until you've gained enough experience to deal with your symptoms. In the meantime, try implementing small changes to your routine to help you deal with.
For instance, if you're impatient and forgetful, ask your professor or boss for accommodations that can help you excel in class. You could also request your family and friends to make accommodations for your ADHD. You may also want to think about family therapy or marriage counseling, which can help your loved ones and you learn to communicate and understand each other's challenges.
Education
For adults, psychosocial treatment can reduce symptoms and improve functioning. These treatments can include different treatments, and may be delivered in person or via the internet. They can also be combined with medication for the best results.
A diagnosis is the first step to treat ADHD. A qualified mental health professional will employ scales and semi-structured, structured clinical interviews to discover the details of the individual's challenges. They can then make an accurate diagnosis, and provide the treatment plan.
Talk therapy can aid people suffering from ADHD cope with their problems and manage the symptoms. Some of these therapies include psychoeducation, which helps to educate patients about their condition and how it impacts them in work, school and relationships. Other therapies are focused on managing emotions and enhancing organizational skills. Cognitive therapy, for instance helps people recognize and alter negative beliefs and habits that could be holding them back.
Family and marriage counseling can help overcome the difficulties that ADHD can create in professional and personal relationships. It can help families and couples improve their communication and identify patterns that lead conflicts. It can also assist in identifying ways to improve interactions and help create positive expectations for the future.
Behavioral therapy can help adults with ADHD increase their self-esteem and develop a more realistic attitude about their abilities. It can help them learn to manage their finances, time and their personal space and control their impulsive behaviors and learn how to manage anger and stress. These skills can be mastered either in group or individually with therapy.
Meditation, or mindfulness training can be a useful form of therapy for adults suffering from ADHD. It can help people gain more control over their lives, by teaching them to focus on the present and be more aware. It can be conducted in a group setting or with a therapist, and is combined in conjunction with other treatment methods, such as CBT and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
Other treatments for adult ADHD include cognitive-behavioral therapy as well as interpersonal therapy, which is focused on developing interpersonal skills. Some people with ADHD are also turning to complementary treatments for health, such as dietary changes and supplements to treat their symptoms. These approaches have not been proven scientifically to help improve ADHD however, some people find them useful.
Support
As an adult suffering from ADHD, you might be overwhelmed by the challenges you face. Everything from paying off bills to meeting deadlines at work to managing relationships and maintaining your home can be challenging when your ADHD symptoms flare up. Your symptoms can also impact your self-esteem and make it difficult to understand what's going on with you. It's crucial to seek treatment to help you overcome your challenges and live more productively.
Many people with ADHD discover that medications are effective however they don't treat all symptoms or improve your quality-of-life. It is essential to get an integrated treatment plan for adults suffering from adhd, which includes therapy and medication.
Therapy can help you to manage your ADHD symptoms and build coping skills. It will also teach you how to manage your mood and relationships. Relaxation techniques can also aid in reducing stress and increase your focus. It's also important to get support from family and friends. Talk therapy can help you learn how to communicate more effectively and manage anger and impulsive behavior.
There are a variety of talk therapy. They include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) metacognitive, metacognitive, and interpersonal 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 resolve thinking distortions that lead to an uneasy mood and a feeling of limited options.
A recent study of a cognitive rehabilitation program for adults suffering from ADHD found that the program, which consisted of small group therapy sessions, coaching and exercise increased the quality of life and reduced symptoms (Stevenson et al 2002). treating adhd in adults of therapy can be more affordable than individual psychotherapy. It also lets you be a part of therapy sessions with people who are facing similar issues, which can be more supportive.
There are numerous online resources that can help you find an adult adhd therapist, or a support group. Some of these offer virtual sessions through video chat or chat rooms as well as meetings with a face-to–face format in your area. These services are increasing in popularity and research is ongoing on their effectiveness.