Adult ADHD Treatment
The majority of people with ADHD improve with a combination of medicine as well as lifestyle modifications, behavior strategies and counseling. Doctors will consider a person's health history and whether any other conditions, such as depression or anxiety, may be contributing to the symptoms.
Stimulants are often the first medication that is tried. Other medications include atomoxetine, an anti-stimulant (Strattera), and certain antidepressants.
Medication
Adults with ADHD are usually treated with stimulant drugs. These medications regulate the levels of chemical messengers which control your attention in your brain. These are norepinephrine and dopamine. Stimulants increase the amount of norepinephrine, which enhances your focus. They also slow down the brain's natural tendency to take dopamine, which decreases the impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Medicines can help ease your symptoms and enable you to perform better at school, at work or in other aspects of your life. They won't solve all your problems. They can result in side effects like weight loss, irritability or difficulty sleeping. Discuss with your doctor the potential side effects of any medication that you are prescribed.
Both stimulants and nonstimulants are used to treat ADHD among adults. Your doctor will decide the best dosage and medicine for you based upon your symptoms of your health, your medical history and specific situation. Some people aren't able to respond to stimulant medications in any way and others may experience no reaction at all.
There are three kinds of ADHD medications: immediate-release, extended-release and atomoxetine. Immediate-release medications can be taken as needed. They usually peak 30 to 60 minutes after intake and then quickly wear off. Extended-release medications are taken once each day and last up to 16 hours, assisting with symptom control. The majority of people who take extended-release ADHD medications supplement them with an immediate-release dose during the late afternoon or evening.
Atomoxetine is the first nonstimulant approved to treat ADHD among adults. It works by limiting certain chemical substances that regulate attention and mood in the brain. It is a long-lasting drug that has a sustained release than other ADHD medication, like Bupropion (Wellbutrin) which is a stimulant that increases norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain.
Your doctor might prescribe guanfacine and clonidine that work by controlling the brain part that is responsible for controlling attention. These medications may be beneficial for people with ADHD and anxiety, as well as tics. These are referred to as cholinergic agents. They are only available on prescription from your physician or psychiatrist.
Therapy
In addition to medications, therapy is often part of an ADHD treatment program. Therapy can help your family members and help you understand how ADHD affects your relationships and lifestyle. adhd treatments adults can also help you learn strategies for coping and how to manage your ADHD symptoms.
A therapist can teach you techniques for staying organized and in control of your environment. Therapists can also teach you problem-solving and conflict resolution techniques and techniques to increase focus and concentration. You could learn breathing exercises, meditation yoga, or other relaxing techniques to calm yourself and improve your mood. It is sometimes referred to as biofeedback or hypnotherapy.
A Therapist can also help you develop coping strategies to deal with the behavioral and emotional issues that are common among adults with ADHD. For instance a therapist may offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a kind of talk therapy that teaches you the way your beliefs, thoughts and beliefs affect your emotions and actions. CBT is particularly effective for addressing the executive functioning problems that are associated with ADHD issues, like trouble organizing, planning and time management.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is another alternative. It helps you change how you respond to difficult emotions. DBT includes mindfulness, which teaches you to observe your thoughts without judgment and emotion regulation, which helps you manage distressing emotions, and training in interpersonal skills. It is designed for those with comorbid conditions, including anxiety and depression.
Remember that it can take a long time for your body to adjust to the new medicines. You might continue to have issues at work and home until you've gained enough experience to cope with your symptoms. In the meantime, you can make small lifestyle changes to help you deal with the symptoms.
For example, if you're indecisive and forgetful, you should ask your professor or boss about accommodations that can aid you in your studies. Similarly, you can ask friends and relatives to allow for your ADHD. You might also think about family therapy or marriage counseling, which will help your loved ones as well as you develop a better understanding of and communication each others' challenges.
Education
Psychosocial treatment for adults can reduce symptoms and improve function. These treatments can comprise a variety of therapies, and can be provided in person or online. They can also be combined with medication to achieve the most effective results.
One of the first steps to treating ADHD is to receive a diagnosis. A qualified mental health professional will use scales and a semistructured interview to gather data on the individual's issues. They will then be able to make an accurate diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan.
Talk therapy can help people with ADHD manage their problems and develop the skills needed to deal with these issues. Some of these therapies include psychoeducation, which teaches patients about their condition and how it impacts them in work, school and relationships. Other therapies aim at improving management skills and coping with emotions. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example helps people recognize and alter negative beliefs and behaviors that may be limiting their progress.
Family and marriage counseling can help address the challenges that ADHD can create in professional and personal relationships. It can help couples and families to communicate more effectively and spot patterns that lead to conflict. It can also assist them to find ways to improve their interactions and create a more positive outlook for the future.
Behavioral therapy can help adults suffering from ADHD boost their self-esteem and develop a more realistic attitude about their abilities. It can also help how to manage their time and money more effectively, improve their organizational skills, manage impulsive behavior and become better at managing stress and anger. These skills can be taught in a group or individually by an therapist.
The practice of mindfulness or meditation can be a powerful method of treatment for adults with ADHD. It can help people gain more control over their lives, by teaching them to pay attention to the present moment and become more aware. It can be done in a group setting or with a therapist, and is used in conjunction with other treatment methods, like CBT and mindfulness based cognitive therapy.
Other options for treating adult ADHD include cognitive-behavioral therapy as well as interpersonal therapy, which is focused on building interpersonal skills. Certain people suffering from ADHD may also resort to alternative health approaches, such as diet and supplements to help manage their symptoms. Although these strategies aren't scientifically proven to improve ADHD, some people find them beneficial.
Support
As a mature adult with ADHD, you might feel overwhelmed by your difficulties. Everything from paying off bills to meeting deadlines at work to managing relationships and maintaining your home is a challenge when ADHD symptoms become more severe. The symptoms can also affect your self-esteem and make it difficult to comprehend what's going on with you. You should seek out treatment in order to overcome your challenges and live an improved life.
Many adults suffering from ADHD discover that medication is effective, but they do not address all symptoms nor improve your quality of life. That's why it's essential to get a combination of therapy and medication as part of your adult treatment plan for adhd.
Therapy can help you understand and control your ADHD symptoms and develop coping skills. It can help you learn to manage your emotions, and your relationships. It is also possible to benefit from learning relaxation techniques that can reduce your stress and boost your concentration. It is also important to seek assistance from your family and friends. Talk therapy can help you discover how to communicate better and manage anger and impulsive behaviors.
There are many kinds of talk therapy. They include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) metacognitive, metacognitive, and interpersonal therapy. CBT is a tried and tested method that helps you improve your techniques for coping and to change negative thinking patterns. Metacognitive therapy can help you improve your organization skills, time management and planning. It can also help to eliminate thinking distortions which lead to negative moods and a feeling of limited choices.
A recent study of a cognitive remediation program for adults with ADHD revealed that the program, which included small group therapy sessions, coaching and exercises increased the quality of life and symptom reduction (Stevenson and co. 2002). This kind of therapy could be less expensive than individual psychotherapy. It also lets you take part in therapy sessions with people who face similar challenges which can be supportive.
There are a variety of online resources to help you locate an adult adhd therapist, or a support group. Some of these sites offer virtual sessions via video chat or chatrooms, while others offer local meetings. These services are gaining popularity and research is being conducted to assess their effectiveness.