ADHD Adult Treatment
Treatments for ADHD help to boost activity in the brain in areas that regulate behavior and attention. Adults are prescribed stimulants from the amphetamines family which includes lisdexamphetamine (marketed under the names Adderall and Concerta), and methylphenidate. Both are sold under the name Ritalin.
Counseling for adult ADHD typically involves cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps clients recognize and modify unhelpful patterns of thinking.
Medications
The most common medication for ADHD is stimulants. These drugs help people to focus, reduce impulse-driven behavior, and regulate their bloodpressure. They come in short- and long-acting formulas. People who take these medications can take them a few or a few times a day, as required. Side effects can include decreased appetite, trouble sleeping and an effect known as a rebound, short periods of irritability or mood swings as the medication wears off. These symptoms are usually mild and go away after a few weeks or days.
But stimulant medications aren’t for everyone. Certain people might experience mental health issues, like hostility or paranoia. They can also increase blood pressure and heart rates. People with Tourette's Syndrome or bipolar disorder should not use stimulants. People with a substance abuse history are also at a higher chance of consuming the drug. For example, they may crush pills and snort them to get high.
There are many different types of non-stimulant ADHD medications, including Strattera(atomoxetine), Qelbree(viloxazine) and Intuniv(guanfacine). These medicines don't affect dopamine as stimulants do. They work by increasing levels of norepinephrine in the brain, which increases concentration and reduces the tendency to be impulsive. They can also lower anxiety and depression.
If you decide to take medication for ADHD the doctor is likely to prescribe a low dose and gradually increase it over time until you reach the ideal level. This process is called the titration. During these appointments your physician will observe your body's reaction to the medication, and will also monitor any adverse effects you may experience. Once a stable dose has been achieved, you'll have to attend regular clinical monitoring appointments at least every three months to ensure the medication is efficient. These appointments allow your doctor to determine if the dosage needs to be adjusted. They can also look for any comorbid conditions, such as heart disease.
Counseling
Counseling can be as effective as medications for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychotherapy can help patients manage their symptoms and improves the way they interact. It could include individual therapy as well as group support, cognitive behavioral therapy or other psychotherapeutic methods. Psychotherapy can increase motivation to seek treatment and decrease negative moods that are common among people with ADHD. It can also teach patients and their significant others ways to improve relationships such as conflict resolution, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have multiple disorders than people without the condition, which is why it's important to treat any other mental health problems that may be present. Depression, anxiety disorders and bipolar disorder are all able to share similar symptoms to ADHD. Treatment for these disorders can improve the response to ADHD medications and help control ADHD symptoms.
In a study evaluating the effectiveness of different types of psychotherapy participants rated mindfulness-based meditation and stress-reducing techniques as quite helpful or very useful. Cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy were rated as quite beneficial or extremely helpful. These methods can be incorporated into a comprehensive program of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD.
Therapists can also help patients with time and organizational management issues. They can offer strategies to help overcome procrastination as well as developing more effective routines for organizing daily tasks. They can help patients identify and correct thinking distortions which can lead to self-defeating moods or unrealistic expectations. Cognitive-behavioral therapy aims to assist patients in changing their negative thinking patterns which can cause frustration for those with ADHD.
Psychotherapy is especially beneficial in improving relationships with friends, colleagues and partners. People with ADHD tend to forget appointments, fail to meet deadlines and make decisions impulsively which can cause stress to even the most understanding partner or spouse. Marriage and family therapy can help couples and families understand how to better deal with these issues. Classes that improve communication and conflict resolution within families and couples can have a profound impact on the lives of ADHD adults.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is a psychological therapy that focuses on altering the environment to meet the needs of an individual. People suffering from ADHD are unable to stay focused, focusing on a job for long periods of time as well as paying their bills and coping with sensory input. Therapy for occupational disorders can assist with these issues.
Those who have hyperactive-impulsive symptoms of ADHD may find it difficult to control their impulses, which can cause them to interrupt others, grab things from other people, or speak at inappropriate times. In these instances, an OT can assist them in learning strategies that enable them to control their impulses and interact with other people without an episode or disrupting the discussion.
Many adults suffering from ADHD also struggle with executive function skills. These include working memory and planning skills, as well as shifting focus, setting priorities, and self-control. An OT can help them in developing these abilities and strategies to improve their daily functioning.
Certain adults with ADHD have sensory processing problems that can cause them to become overstimulated or overwhelmed by auditory, visual sensory and gustatory stimuli. Those who have this kind of ADHD might be sensitive to smells, sounds and light, and they may dislike physical contact. An OT can help them learn how to manage their anxiety and suggest strategies for managing sensory overload or stress.
Kids with ADHD, especially those who have the hyperactive-impulsive presentation, have a lot of restless energy that they need to release. If they don't have an outlet for this energy, it can lead to emotional meltdowns or angry outbursts during inconvenient times such as during reading time at school. An OT can teach them to channel their energy in more constructive ways, such as participating in sports or joining a social group.
Children with ADHD may have difficulty in traditional schools, since they are not designed for neurodivergent children. This makes it difficult for them to remain still or follow directions. An OT can collaborate with the school to implement changes that more effectively support them, such as using a weekly schedule or providing alternative seating options.
Individual Therapy
The symptoms of adult ADHD can have significant effects on the person's life and relationships. Talk add treatments for adults can help people suffering from ADHD manage their symptoms and improve their lives by addressing the behavioral and emotional issues that come with this disorder. Sometimes, comorbid disorders like depression or substance abuse are also addressed with psychotherapy.
Cognitive psychotherapy can help patients learn new strategies for dealing with their symptoms including mindfulness meditation and emotional regulation. adhd adults treatment can also assist them to recognize and correct thinking errors that cause negative emotions and hinder problem-solving abilities. The goal of psychotherapy is to lessen the impact of the symptoms of ADHD while enhancing pre-existing abilities to cope.
Behavioral therapy is an individual counseling technique that helps those with ADHD organize their home and work environments. It can be used to tackle specific issues, like the tendency to forget and impulsiveness. It can also encourage positive reinforcement by offering rewards for good behavior, and punishments for bad behavior. It can also instruct family members on methods to assist with symptom management like timers for medication, prompting and reminders for appointments or chores, and reducing distractions during household tasks.
Additionally, those with ADHD may benefit from dietary changes. It is recommended that they eat regular meals and snacks no more than three hours apart, avoid drinks with sugar, and increase their intake of complex carbohydrates and protein to maintain a steady flow of energy throughout the day. It is important to ensure that they eat at regular meals and enough sleep.
Individuals with ADHD have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships. Individual talk therapy helps people overcome these issues and help them learn to communicate better. It can also address any issues that are underlying that cause feelings of failure and self-worth issues or frequent job changes.
Although medication is the most effective method to treat ADHD symptoms, they may cause side effects for certain people. Combining them with other treatments can lead to more lasting benefits. Research has proven that medication can decrease the risk of depression as well as motor vehicle accidents and suicide among people with ADHD.