Adult ADHD Treatment
Most adults with ADHD improve with a combination treatment, behavioral strategies and lifestyle adjustments. Doctors will take into consideration a person's health history and whether any other conditions like anxiety or depression, might be contributing to the symptoms.
Often, stimulants are the first drugs that people try. Other medications include atomoxetine non-stimulant (Strattera), and certain antidepressants.
Medication
The use of stimulant medications is typically the first line treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. They help regulate the levels of two chemical messengers in your brain that regulate the ability to focus. They are norepinephrine (the chemical messenger) 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 desire for dopamine to be absorbed, which reduces hyperactivity.
You can take medicines to alleviate your symptoms, and function better at work, school, or in other areas of your life. But they can't solve all of your issues. They could result in side effects like weight loss, irritability, or trouble sleeping. Consult your physician about the potential side effects of any medication that you are prescribed.
Both stimulants and nonstimulants are used to treat ADHD in adults. Your doctor will decide the most effective dosage and medication for you based on symptoms, health history and your particular situation. Some people will not react to stimulant medications, while others may not experience any reaction at any time.
There are add treatment for adults that are available: immediate-release medication, extended release medication and atomoxetine. Immediate-release drugs are taken when needed and usually peak within 30 to 60 minutes after taking them, then wear off quickly. Extended-release drugs can last up to 16 hour and are taken once a day. They assist with managing symptoms. Most often, those who are taking extended-release ADHD medications supplement them with an immediate-release dose in late afternoon or in the evening.
Atomoxetine is the first non-stimulant approved to treat ADHD among adults. It is a drug that blocks certain chemicals that control mood and attention in the brain. It is a more long-lasting, sustained release medication than other ADHD drugs, like Bupropion (Wellbutrin), that is a stimulant that increases norepinephrine and dopamine, within your brain.
Your doctor may prescribe guanfacine or Clonidine that work by controlling the part of your brain that controls your attention. These medications can be beneficial for people with ADHD and anxiety, as well as tics. These medications, also referred to as cholinergic drugs are only available by prescription from your doctor or psychiatrist.
Therapy
Therapy is often included in the treatment of ADHD as well as medication. Therapy sessions can help you and your family understand how your ADHD affects your life and relationships. It can help you develop strategies and techniques to manage your ADHD symptoms.
A therapist can teach you strategies to stay organized and in control of your environment. A therapist can help you learn how to resolve conflicts and problem-solving and strategies to improve focus and concentration. You can learn yoga, breathing exercises meditation, or other relaxation techniques in order to calm yourself down and improve your mood. This is sometimes referred to as hypnotherapy or biofeedback.
A therapist can help you come up with strategies to deal with emotional and behavioral issues that are common to adults with ADHD. For instance therapy with a therapist could provide cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a form of therapy through which you learn you how your thoughts, beliefs and attitudes influence your feelings and behaviors. CBT is particularly effective at addressing executive functioning issues associated with ADHD which include difficulty in organizing, planning and managing time.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is another option. It assists you in changing your way of reacting to difficult emotions. DBT includes elements such as mindfulness, which teaches you to be aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment; emotion regulation, which is focused on managing distressing emotions; and interpersonal skills training. It is for people with multiple disorders, like depression and anxiety disorders.
It is important to keep in mind that when you first begin taking medication, it can take a while for your body to adjust to the new medications. You may experience issues at work and home until you have developed the ability to deal with symptoms. In the meantime, try implementing small changes to your lifestyle to help you cope.
Ask your professor or boss for accommodations if you're indecisive and forgetful. This will allow you to get through your classes. You can also ask friends and relatives to allow for your ADHD. You may also want to think about family therapy or marriage counseling, which can benefit your loved ones as well as develop a better understanding of and communication the challenges of each other.
Education
For adults, psychosocial treatment can help alleviate symptoms and improve performance. These treatments can include a variety of different treatments and are available in-person or online. These treatments can be combined with medication to get the best results.
One of the first steps to the treatment of ADHD is to get a diagnosis. A trained mental health professional will employ scales and semi-structured clinical interviews to collect information about the individual's difficulties. They will then be able to make an accurate diagnosis and offer an appropriate treatment plan.
Talk therapy can be used to assist people suffering from ADHD cope with their problems and manage them. Psychoeducation is one of the treatments that can help patients understand their condition and its impact on school, work and relationships. Other therapies are aimed at improving organizational skills and managing emotions. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people to change their negative beliefs and behavior that may be holding them back.
Counseling for families and marriage can help overcome the difficulties that ADHD can bring to personal and professional relationships. It can help couples and families to communicate more effectively and spot patterns that lead to conflict. It can also assist in exploring ways to improve interactions and provide a positive outlook on the future.
Behavioral therapy can help people with ADHD increase their self-esteem and gain a more realistic perspective about their abilities. It can help them learn to manage their finances, time and self-organization, as well as manage their impulsive behavior and help them manage anger and stress. These skills can be taught either in a group setting or individually by a therapist.
Meditation, or mindfulness training is also an effective therapy for adult ADHD. It can help people 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 done in a group or with an therapist and utilized in conjunction alongside other treatment methods like CBT and mindfulness based cognitive therapy.
Other treatments for adult ADHD include cognitive-behavioral therapies and interpersonal therapy, which is focused on developing interpersonal skills. Certain people with ADHD use complementary health approaches to manage their symptoms, including dietary changes and supplements. While these methods aren't scientifically proven to improve ADHD, some people find them beneficial.
Support
You may feel overwhelmed by your ADHD symptoms as an adult. Everything from paying your bills to keeping deadlines at work to managing relationships and keeping your house clean can be a challenge when your ADHD symptoms flare up. Your symptoms can also affect your self-esteem, making it difficult to know why you are acting in the way you do. You should seek treatment to overcome your difficulties and lead a more productive lifestyle.
Many medications are effective for adults with ADHD however they do not treat all of the symptoms or enhance your quality of life. This is why it's crucial to take a mix of therapy and medication 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 help you learn how to manage your emotions and your relationships. You could also benefit from learning relaxation techniques that can ease stress and help you focus. It is also important to seek the support of your family and friends. Talk therapy can help you understand how to communicate more effectively and manage anger and impulsive behavior.
There are many kinds of talk therapy. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) metacognitive, metacognitive, and interpersonal therapy. CBT is a proven approach that helps you develop better techniques for coping and to change negative thought patterns. Metacognitive therapy can help you improve organizational skills, planning and time management. It can also help to eliminate the distortions in your thinking that cause negative moods and feeling that you have a limited number of options.
A recent study of an adult cognitive rehabilitation program revealed that the program was comprised of small group therapy sessions, coaching, in addition to exercise. This improved quality of life and reduced symptoms (Stevenson and al. 2002). This kind of therapy can be less expensive than individual psychotherapy. It also allows you to be a part of therapy sessions with other people who have similar challenges and can be more helpful.
There are a number of online resources for finding an adult adhd therapist and support groups. Some of these sites offer virtual sessions via chatrooms or video chat and others provide local meetings. These services are growing in popularity, and research is being conducted to determine their effectiveness.