Adult ADHD Treatment
The majority of people with ADHD get better through a combination of medication, behavior strategies, lifestyle changes and counseling. Doctors will look at a person's health history and determine if any other health issues, such as depression or anxiety, may contribute to the symptoms.
Stimulants are often the first drugs to be that is tried. Other medications include the nonstimulant atomoxetine (Strattera) and certain antidepressants.
Medication
The use of stimulant medications is typically the first-line treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. These medications alter the levels of chemical messengers that regulate your attention in your brain. These are norepinephrine (the chemical messenger) and dopamine. Stimulants increase the amount of norepinephrine, which increases your ability to concentrate. They also decrease the brain's natural tendency for dopamine to be absorbed, which reduces hyperactivity.
Medications can improve your symptoms and help you perform better at school, work or in other aspects of your life. They will not solve all your issues. They could cause adverse effects, such as weight loss, irritability, or difficulty sleeping. Speak to your doctor about the possible adverse effects.
Both stimulants and nonstimulants can be used to treat ADHD among adults. 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 may not respond to stimulant medication and others may experience no reaction whatsoever.
There are three kinds of ADHD medications including immediate-release, extended release and Atomoxetine. Immediate-release medication 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, aiding with symptom control. People who are taking extended release ADHD medications typically supplement them with a dose of instant-release late in the evening or afternoon.
Atomoxetine is the first nonstimulant approved to treat ADHD among adults. It works by limiting certain chemical substances that regulate mood and attention in the brain. It's a longer-lasting and sustained-release medication than other ADHD medications, like bupropion (Wellbutrin) that works by increasing the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain.
Your doctor could prescribe guanfacine, clonidine, or other drugs that regulate the part of the brain that is responsible for your attention. They can be beneficial for people with ADHD who also have anxiety or tics. These are referred to as cholinergic agents and are only available on prescription from your physician or psychiatrist.
Therapy
In addition to medications, therapy is often part of an ADHD treatment strategy. Therapy can aid you and your family understand how your ADHD affects your life and relationships. It can also help you learn strategies and coping techniques to manage your ADHD symptoms.
For example Therapists can teach you techniques for organizing to keep you on top of your work and control your environment. A therapist can teach you how to resolve conflicts and problem-solving as well as strategies to improve concentration and focus. You could learn breathing exercises, meditation yoga, or other relaxation techniques to help you relax and improve your mood. This is sometimes referred to as biofeedback or hypnotherapy.
A therapist can help you create strategies for coping with emotional and behavioral issues that are common among adults with ADHD. For example a therapist may offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a type of talking therapy that teaches you how your thoughts, beliefs and attitudes influence your feelings and behaviors. CBT is particularly effective for addressing the executive functioning problems that can be a result of ADHD like difficulty planning, organizing and time management.
Dialectical behavior therapy is a different alternative. It assists you in changing your way of reacting to difficult emotions. DBT includes mindfulness, which teaches you how to be aware of your thoughts without judgment and emotion regulation which assists you in managing emotional distress, as well as training in interpersonal skills. It is designed for those with comorbid conditions, including anxiety and depression.
It is important to keep in mind that even when you start taking medication, it can take a while for your body to adapt to the new medication. You may experience issues at work and home until you've mastered the skills to cope with symptoms. In the meantime, consider implementing small changes to your lifestyle to help you manage.
For instance, if impatient and forgetful, ask your boss or professor about accommodations that can help you excel in class. You may also ask your friends and family to provide accommodations for your ADHD. You might also want to think about marriage counseling or family therapy, which can help you and your loved ones to communicate better and understand the challenges of each other.
Education
For adults, psychosocial treatments can help reduce symptoms and improve functioning. The treatments comprise a range of therapies and can be offered in person or via the internet. They may also be paired with medications to get the most effective results.
A diagnosis is the initial step to treat ADHD. A trained mental health professional will use scales and semi-structured, structured clinical interviews to discover the details of the individual's difficulties. They will then be able to provide an accurate diagnosis, and formulate a treatment plan.
Talk therapy can help people with ADHD manage their issues and manage their symptoms. Psychoeducation is one of the treatments that help patients understand their condition and its impact on work, school and relationships. Other treatments are focused on improving the ability to manage emotions and organizational skills. untreated adhd in adults assists people overcome negative beliefs and behaviors that may hinder their progress.
Family and marriage counseling can help overcome the difficulties that ADHD can bring to personal and professional relationships. It can teach couples and families how to communicate more effectively and identify patterns that lead to conflict. It can also help explore ways to improve communication and provide optimism for the future.
Adults suffering from ADHD can benefit from a behavioral therapy program by improving their self-esteem and developing an honest perspective of their abilities. It can also teach them to manage their time and finances more effectively and improve their organizational skills, control their impulsive behavior, and improve at coping with stress and anger. These skills can be learned either in a group setting or with a therapist.
Get Source or mindfulness training can be a powerful form of therapy to treat adults with ADHD. It can teach people to be present in the moment and become more aware of their feelings as they attain a better sense of control over their lives. It can be conducted in a group or with an therapist and utilized in conjunction with other treatment methods like CBT and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
Other treatment options for adults with ADHD include cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy, which focuses on developing interpersonal skills. Some people with ADHD also turn to complementary methods of health, like supplementation and diet changes, to manage their symptoms. While these methods aren't scientifically proven to reduce ADHD however, some find them helpful.
Support
You may feel overwhelmed by your ADHD symptoms as an adult. When your ADHD symptoms are in full force, everything from managing relationships to paying bills and completing deadlines can be a challenge. The symptoms can also affect your self-esteem and make it difficult to understand what's happening to you. You should seek out treatment to overcome your challenges and lead an improved life.
Many adults with ADHD discover that medication is effective, but they do not treat all symptoms or improve your quality of life. That's why it's important to get a combination of therapies and medication as part of your adult adhd treatment plan.
Therapy can help you learn how to manage your ADHD symptoms and help you develop coping strategies. It can teach you how to manage your emotions, and relationships. Relaxation techniques can help you reduce stress and improve your concentration. You should also seek out the support of your family and friends. Talk therapy can help you learn how to communicate better and cope with anger and the impulsive behavior.
There are many types of talk therapy. They include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) metacognitive, metacognitive, and interpersonal therapy. CBT is a well-established method that assists you in developing better techniques for coping and to change negative thought patterns. Metacognitive therapy can help you improve your organization skills, time management and planning. It can also help you overcome thinking distortions which lead to negative moods and a feeling of limited choices.
A recent study of an adult cognitive rehabilitation program revealed that the program offered small group therapy sessions and coaching, in addition to exercises. This improved quality of life, and decreased symptoms (Stevenson and co. 2002). This type of therapy is usually cheaper than individual psychotherapy. It also lets you participate in sessions with others who are facing similar issues, which can be more helpful.
There are a number of online resources that can help you find an adult adhd therapist as well as support groups. Some of these services provide virtual sessions using chatrooms or video chat as well as local meetings. These services are growing in popularity and research is ongoing to determine their effectiveness.