Treating Adults With ADHD
If you have ADHD even the most basic tasks can be difficult. You might struggle to get up in the morning, meet deadlines and maintain healthy personal and professional relationships.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must experience five or more symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that began before age 12 and interfere with school and work functioning.
Medications
Stimulants are the most common treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs help boost and regulate levels of certain neurotransmitters, brain chemicals that are crucial to the brain's ability for concentration and control impulses, plan ahead, and keep on track with tasks. They can also ease symptoms that hinder daily functioning, such as disorganization and difficulty maintaining relationships.
There are a variety of stimulant medicines. The two most commonly used are amphetamine and methylphenidate. These drugs can be taken as liquids, patches, pills or pills. They can also be used in conjunction with psychotherapy. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually prescribed long-acting tablets, which release the medication slowly. The tablets are consumed only once a daily. These drugs are thought to be more effective than the short- and intermediate-acting ones that require patients to take their medication at least three or four times a day. They can cause frequent "crash" periods.
It is essential to inform your doctor when you experience any adverse effects when taking stimulants. The side effects could include nausea, a decrease in appetite, changes in blood pressure and heart rate. The stimulants can also cause tics to become more obvious and cause minor growth delays in children and teenagers.
There are people who have issues with impulsivity, which isn't controlled by medications to treat adult ADHD, so a doctor might prescribe antidepressants to manage these symptoms. Antidepressants have not been specifically approved by the FDA to treat ADHD however studies have shown they can be beneficial in many instances.
It's also important to understand that even though medication can improve the ability to plan and organize out everyday tasks, they are not an effective treatment for ADHD. People who suffer from ADHD have to work hard at establishing and maintaining healthy relationships, implementing good sleep habits regularly, exercising regularly, and including a balanced diet into their lives.
People suffering from ADHD have issues in their relationships due unstable behavior and poor time management and a lack of organizational skills. Classes that teach conflict resolution or communication skills, or therapy that is focused on relationships issues, can be helpful. Counseling is also beneficial for many couples because it assists them to break patterns of blame that cause their marriages in a mess or prevent families from working effectively.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can help you reduce symptoms and gain control of your life if you have ADHD as an adult. Your therapist will usually provide emotional support, and will help you improve your time management skills, organizational skills and problem-solving capabilities. Psychotherapy can also assist you in dealing with relationship and family issues that often arise when dealing with ADHD.
Generally speaking, talk therapy can be done in person or via phone. In certain instances, talk therapy is used in conjunction with medications to treat mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. It can also be beneficial in the treatment of other issues like coping with chronic pain or an illness that is serious.
One form of psychotherapy is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It involves identifying negative thoughts and changing them to improve behavior. Typically, this means looking back at the past experiences and challenges. Your therapist will teach you how to break these issues into pieces so that you can determine the negative thinking patterns that may have led to these issues.
Another option is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). DBT can teach a variety of techniques that help you manage your mood and behavior. It can teach you mindfulness which allows your mind to relax and concentrate on the moment. It also teaches you to manage your emotions to ensure that they are less likely to trigger impulsive behavior.
Other forms of psychotherapy include interpersonal therapy as well as the use of hypnotherapy. Interpersonal therapy can help you to learn to express and recognize your feelings in a healthy manner, while hypnotherapy can help you relax and calm yourself in stressful situations. These techniques can help you increase your confidence and self-esteem, as well as help you deal with frustration and anger.
Lastly, marriage and family therapy can address issues that ADHD can cause in your relationships with loved ones. It will help you better communicate with your partner or spouse and identify productive ways to deal with financial issues, anger over forgotten responsibilities, and conflicts over how best to handle an impulsive way of making decisions.
Counseling
A thorough physical exam is the first step in treating adults with ADHD. A doctor will be looking for any underlying issues that could influence ADHD, including depression, anxiety disorders, mood swings and other psychiatric illnesses. Mood disorders are often present with ADHD and cause more symptoms. Adults with ADHD should also be screened for alcohol and drugs addiction.
Talk therapy can help those with ADHD learn how to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships. Counseling for adults with ADHD is available in a variety of forms, including individual and group therapy sessions, online counseling platforms and phone based therapy. Counseling is designed to help people develop important skills like managing anger and stress, regulating their emotions, and improving their communication.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of talk therapy that helps to teach coping skills for ADHD. It involves working with a therapist in order to identify and alter negative thinking patterns that lead to problems such as poor time management and impulsive behavior. CBT can be used in conjunction with medications or on its own.
Family counseling is often part of the treatment options for people with ADHD. Children and couples can be irritated by the challenges of living with someone suffering from ADHD particularly when it causes problems with relationships. Couples therapy can help couples learn to communicate better and resolve conflicts, as well as support one another's goals when ADHD is present.
Other forms of talk therapy are available, such as dialectical behavior therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). adhd treatment in adults uses meditation training to help people become more aware of themselves and control impulsive behaviors. It also teaches strategies for reducing stress, focusing, and improving executive functioning.
Certain patients suffering from ADHD find that making dietary changes and getting more exercise can lessen their symptoms. Exercise can improve mood, increase concentration and reduce hyperactivity. A diet rich in healthy food choices can provide essential nutrients and help with impulse-driven behaviors. In addition, sleep hygiene is crucial to a good night's rest. Regular bedtimes and a regular routine in the morning can reduce anxiety and help focus, and improve your health.
Coaching
Coaching for adults with ADHD focuses on practical solutions, in contrast to psychotherapy that can assist people with emotional issues. A professional coach will teach you how to cut down on distractions, create an optimal workspace and prioritize tasks. They can also teach relaxation techniques that reduce impulsivity, and improve concentration.
Another issue that adults who suffer from ADHD is sustaining motivation to accomplish goals and tasks A coach can assist by providing encouragement and structure. They may use strategies such as the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working in short bursts, with breaks, to help individuals keep their focus and work. They can also offer support in developing healthy dietary and exercise routines that increase energy levels.
Coaching can help adults with ADHD improve their communication skills. They can also assist them to develop and keep positive relationships by focusing on strengths instead of issues. In addition, coaching can help adults suffering from ADHD understand their own tendencies and behavior and how they affect others.
Many adults with ADHD have difficulty controlling their emotions. This can impact their self-esteem as well in their professional and social performance. A coach can help teach strategies to reduce stress that increase attention and coping skills, such as mindfulness and meditation. This can aid in improving sleep, which is often interrupted by racing thoughts and a sleepless night.
A coach can also help individuals to develop healthy eating habits, which can be an issue for people who suffer from ADHD. They can give tips on how to purchase groceries, prepare meals and keep healthy snacks on hand. This can help to avoid eating foods that are high in salt, sugar or fat that may cause ADHD symptoms.
Adults with ADHD may benefit from coaching, which is a component of their treatment. It can be combined with psychotherapy and medications to help manage symptoms. It is essential to investigate the qualifications of a coach prior to selecting one. A licensed mental health practitioner can recommend someone, or a person with ADHD could find their coach via forums on the internet or through word-of-mouth.