Adult ADHD Treatment
Most adults with ADHD improve with a combination medication, behavioral strategies and lifestyle adjustments. Doctors will consider the person's medical history and whether other medical conditions like anxiety or depression, could be contributing to symptoms.
The stimulants are often the first medication tried. Other medications include the nonstimulant atomoxetine (Strattera) and certain antidepressants.
Medication
Stimulant medications are usually the first-line treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs help adjust the levels of two chemical messengers in your brain that control the focus. These are norepinephrine and dopamine. They work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in your brain, which enhances concentration. They also slow down the brain's natural tendency to draw dopamine, which can reduce hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
Medicines can help ease your symptoms and help you be more productive at school, at work or in other aspects of your life. They can't solve all your issues. You might experience side effects like weight loss, irritability, or trouble sleeping. Consult your physician about the potential side effects of any medication you are prescribed.
Nonstimulants and stimulants are used to treat ADHD among adults. I Am Psychiatry will determine the best dosage and medicine for you based on your symptoms of your health, your medical history and particular situation. Certain people do not react to stimulant medications, while others might not experience any reaction at all.
There are three types of ADHD medications that are immediate-release, extended-release and Atomoxetine. Immediate-release drugs are taken as needed and typically peak between 30 and 60 minutes after ingestion, then wear off quickly. Extended-release drugs can last up to 16 hours and are taken once a day. They help with symptom management. Patients who take extended-release ADHD medications typically supplement them with an instant-release dose late in the afternoon or evening.
Atomoxetine is the first nonstimulant approved to treat ADHD in adults. It works by limiting certain chemicals that regulate mood and attention in the brain. It is a long-lasting drug that has a sustained release than other ADHD medications, such as Bupropion (Wellbutrin) which enhances norepinephrine and dopamine, within your brain.
Your doctor might prescribe guanfacine, clonidine or other drugs that regulate the part of your brain that is responsible for your attention. These medications may be beneficial for people with ADHD and anxiety, as well as tics. These medications, also known as cholinergic drugs, are only available on prescription from your psychiatrist or doctor.
Therapy
In addition to medications therapy is often a part of an ADHD treatment strategy. Talk therapy can help your family members and help you learn how ADHD affects your relationships and daily life. It can help you learn strategies and techniques to manage your ADHD symptoms.
A therapist can show you strategies to stay organized and in control of your environment. A therapist can also teach you problem-solving and conflict resolution techniques, as well as techniques to increase concentration and focus. You can learn breathing exercises, yoga, meditation or other techniques for relaxation to help you settle down and improve your mood. This is sometimes called biofeedback or 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. For example therapy with a therapist could provide cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a type of therapy through which you learn you how your beliefs, thoughts and beliefs affect your emotions and behaviors. CBT is especially effective for addressing the executive functioning problems that can be a result of ADHD like difficulty organizing, planning and time management.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is another option. It helps you change your way of reacting to difficult emotions. DBT includes elements such as mindfulness, which teaches you to look at your thoughts and feelings without judgement; emotion regulation, which is focused on managing difficult emotions; and interpersonal skills training. It is for people with multiple disorders, like anxiety and depression.
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. It is possible that you will continue to experience problems at home and work until you've mastered the skills to deal with your symptoms. In the meantime, you can try implementing small changes to your lifestyle to help you cope.
For instance, if you're impatient and forgetful, ask your boss or professor about accommodations that will aid you in your studies. You can also request your family and friends to accommodate your ADHD. You might also want to consider marriage counseling or family therapy, which can assist you and your loved ones learn to communicate better and understand the challenges of each other.
Education
For adults, psychosocial treatments can reduce symptoms and improve the functioning. These treatments can comprise a variety of treatments, and may be offered in person or via online. They may also be paired with medications to get the best results.
A diagnosis is the first step in treating ADHD. A qualified mental health professional will use scales and a semistructured interview to gather information on the person's challenges. They can then make an accurate diagnosis, and formulate the treatment plan.
Talk therapy can aid people suffering from ADHD manage their issues and manage them. Some of these treatments include psychoeducation, which educates patients about their condition and how it impacts them in the workplace, at school and in relationships. Other therapies aim at improving the ability to manage emotions and organizational skills. Cognitive therapy for behavioral issues, for instance helps people to identify and change negative beliefs and behaviors that may be limiting their progress.
Therapy for families and marriage can help to address the challenges ADHD can bring to personal and professional relationships. It can help couples and families develop a better communication and identify the patterns that can cause conflicts. It can also assist them to find ways to improve their communication and create a positive outlook for the future.
Adults with ADHD are able to benefit from behavioral therapy by improving their self-esteem as well as developing a realistic view of their abilities. It can teach them how to better manage their money, time, and organize themselves and also control their impulsive behaviors and learn to better manage anger and stress. These abilities can be taught in a group setting or in a private session with a therapist.
Meditation or mindfulness training can be a powerful form of therapy to treat adults with ADHD. It helps people gain more control over their lives by teaching them to focus on the moment and be more aware. It can be conducted in a group setting or with an therapist and used with other treatment methods such as CBT and mindfulness based cognitive therapy.
Other options for treating adult ADHD include cognitive-behavioral therapies and interpersonal therapy, which focuses on developing interpersonal skills. Some people suffering from ADHD also turn to complementary methods of health, like supplementation and diet changes to help manage their symptoms. These strategies have not been scientifically proven to help improve ADHD but some people find them useful.
Support
You may feel overwhelmed by your ADHD symptoms as an adult. When your ADHD symptoms flare all the way from managing relationships to paying bills and completing deadlines can be challenging. The symptoms can also affect your self-esteem and make it difficult to understand what's going on with you. You should seek treatment to overcome your issues and lead an active lifestyle.
Many adults with ADHD discover that medications are effective, but they do not treat all symptoms or improve your quality-of-life. That's why it's essential to get a combination of medication and therapy as part of your adult treatment for adhd.
Therapy can help you learn to manage your ADHD symptoms, and help you develop strategies for coping. It can also help you learn how to manage your relationships and emotions. Relaxation techniques can aid in reducing stress and increase your focus. It is also important to seek support from family and friends. Talk therapy can help you learn how to communicate better and how to deal with anger and the impulsive behavior.
There are many kinds of talk therapy. They include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) metacognitive, metacognitive, and interpersonal therapy. CBT is an evidence-based approach that helps you overcome negative thoughts and patterns of thought and develop better coping strategies. Metacognitive therapy assists you in improving your organization skills, time management and planning. It can also help to eliminate the distortions in your thinking that cause an unhappy mood and feeling that you have a limited number of choices.
A recent study of a cognitive rehabilitation program for adults with ADHD revealed that the program, which included small group therapy sessions, coaching and exercises, improved quality of life and reduced symptom severity (Stevenson and co. 2002). This kind of therapy is usually more affordable than individual psychotherapy. This type of therapy permits you to share sessions with other people who are dealing with similar issues which can be beneficial.
There are numerous online resources to help locate an adult adhd therapist or a support group. Some of these services provide virtual sessions via video chat or chat rooms and others provide face-to-face meetings in your area. These services are gaining in popularity, and research is being conducted to evaluate their effectiveness.