Adult ADHD Treatment
Most people with ADHD improve their performance with a combination of treatment, behavioral strategies and lifestyle changes. Doctors will review the medical history of a patient and determine if other issues such as depression or an anxiety disorder could be contributing to symptoms.
Often, stimulants are the first drugs people attempt. Other medications include atomoxetine, non-stimulant (Strattera), and certain antidepressants.
Medication
Stimulant medications are usually the first line treatment for adults with ADHD. These medications alter the levels of chemical messengers that control your focus in your brain. These are norepinephrine (the chemical messenger) and dopamine. Stimulants work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine that is present in your brain, which enhances concentration. untreated adhd in adults reduce the brain's natural tendency to take dopamine, which can reduce the impulsivity and hyperactivity.
You can make use of medicines to alleviate your symptoms, and function better at school, work or in other areas of your life. However, they won't fix all your problems. You might experience negative effects like weight loss, irritability or trouble sleeping. Speak to your doctor about the possible side effects.
The medications used to treat ADHD in adults include both stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Your doctor will decide the best medicine and dosage for you based upon your symptoms of your health, your medical history and specific situation. Some people may not respond to stimulant medications in any way and others may experience no reaction at all.
There are three types of ADHD medications including immediate-release, extended release and atomoxetine. Instant-release medications are used in the course of need and typically peak within 30 to 60 minutes after taking them and fade quickly. Extended-release medications can last up to 16 hours and are administered once a day. They assist with managing symptoms. People who take extended release ADHD medications usually supplement them with an instant-release dose late in the afternoon or evening.
Atomoxetine, which was the first nonstimulant drug approved to treat ADHD in adults, operates by limiting the actions of certain chemicals in the brain that regulate mood and attention. It is a long-lasting and sustained release medication than other ADHD drugs, like Bupropion (Wellbutrin) which is a stimulant that increases norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain.
Your doctor might also prescribe guanfacine or clonidine, which work by regulating the brain part that regulates your attention. These are a great option for people with ADHD who also have tics or anxiety. These medications, also referred to as cholinergic drugs are only available with a prescription from your psychiatrist or doctor.
Therapy
In addition to medication, therapy is often part of an ADHD treatment plan. Therapy can help your family members as well as help you learn how ADHD affects your relationships and lifestyle. It can also teach you coping skills and strategies to manage your ADHD symptoms.
A therapist can help you learn strategies to stay organized and in control of your environment. A therapist may also teach you conflict-resolution and problem-solving techniques as well as methods to improve your focus and concentration. You might learn breathing exercises, meditation yoga, or other relaxing methods to relax yourself and improve your mood. It is also referred to as biofeedback and hypnotherapy.
A Therapist can also help you develop coping strategies to deal with the behavioral and emotional issues that are common to adults with ADHD. Therapists can offer, for instance, cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a talking therapy that teaches you how your thoughts and beliefs influence your mood and behavior. CBT is particularly effective at treating executive functioning issues that are related to ADHD and other disorders, such as difficulty in planning, organizing and managing time.
Another option is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) which assists you change how you respond to difficult emotions. DBT includes mindfulness, which teaches how to be aware of your thoughts without judgment and regulate your emotions which assists you in managing distressing emotions, and interpersonal skills training. It is for people with multiple disorders, like depression and anxiety disorders.
It's important to remember that, even if you begin taking medication, it takes a while for your body to adjust to the new medication. You might continue to have issues at work and home until you've mastered the skills to manage your symptoms. In the meantime, consider making small changes to your lifestyle to help you deal with.
Ask your professor or boss to make accommodations if you're indecisive and forgetful. This will help you succeed in class. You can also ask friends and relatives to allow for your ADHD. You might also look into family therapy or marriage counseling, which can help you and your loved ones learn to communicate better and understand each other's challenges.
Education
Psychosocial treatment for adults can help reduce symptoms and improve performance. The treatments may include a variety of treatments, and may be offered in person or via online. They can also be combined with medication to achieve the best results.
One of the first steps to the treatment of ADHD is to obtain a diagnosis. A trained mental health professional utilizes scales and semistructured interviews to collect information about the individual's issues. They will then be able to make an accurate diagnosis, and formulate the treatment plan.
Talk therapy can be used to assist people suffering from ADHD deal with their issues and manage their symptoms. Some of these treatments include psychoeducation, which helps to educate patients about their condition and how it impacts their work, school and relationships. Other therapies focus on regulating emotions and enhancing the ability to manage their time. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people to change their negative attitudes and behaviors that could be preventing them from achieving their goals.
Marriage and family therapy can help to address the issues ADHD can bring in personal and professional relationships. It can help families and couples how to communicate more effectively and recognize patterns that cause conflict. It can also help them find ways to improve their communication and develop a more positive outlook for the future.
Adults with ADHD can benefit from a treatment for behavioral issues by boosting their self-esteem and establishing a realistic view of their abilities. It can help them learn to better manage their time, money and self-organization, as well as control their impulsive behaviors and learn how to manage stress and anger. These abilities can be taught in a group or in a private session with a psychotherapist.
Mindfulness, or meditation training is also a useful form of therapy for adults with ADHD. It can teach people to concentrate on the present moment and become more aware of their emotions and feelings, allowing them to gain a greater sense of control over their lives. It can be conducted in a group or with an therapist and combined in conjunction with other treatment methods, such as CBT and mindfulness based cognitive therapy.
Other options for treating ADHD for adults include cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal therapy. These treatments focus on improving interpersonal skills. Some people with ADHD employ complementary health methods to manage their symptoms, including dietary changes and supplements. Although these strategies aren't scientifically proven to reduce ADHD but some people consider them beneficial.
Support
You might feel overwhelmed by your ADHD symptoms as an adult. When your ADHD symptoms become more severe, 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 know what's happening to you. It is important to seek treatment in order to overcome your difficulties and lead an active lifestyle.
Many adults with ADHD discover that medications are effective, but they do not address all symptoms nor improve your quality-of-life. That's why it's important to take a mix of therapy and medication as part of your adult adhd treatment plan.
Therapy can help you learn to control your ADHD symptoms and build the ability to cope. It can help you learn how to manage your emotions, and relationships. Relaxation techniques can also help you reduce stress and improve your concentration. It is also important to seek help from your family and friends. Talk therapy can help you understand how to communicate more effectively and deal with anger and impulsive behaviors.
There are a variety of talk therapy. They include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) metacognitive, metacognitive, and interpersonal therapy. CBT is a research-based approach that helps you overcome negative thought patterns and develop better strategies for coping. Metacognitive therapy can help you improve your organization skills, time management and planning. It can also help you overcome the distortions in your thinking that cause low mood and a feeling of a lack of options.
A recent study of a cognitive remediation program found that the program was comprised of small group therapy sessions, coaching, in addition to exercises. This improved the quality of life and reduced symptoms (Stevenson and al. 2002). This kind of therapy can be less expensive than individual psychotherapy. This type of therapy permits you to share sessions with others who are dealing with similar issues and can be a great source of support.
There are numerous online resources that can help you find an adult adhd therapist or support group. Some of these providers offer virtual sessions through video chat or chat rooms, while others offer face-to-face meetings in your local area. These services are growing in popularity and research is ongoing to determine their effectiveness.