Adult ADHD Treatment
The majority of people with ADHD are able to improve their condition with a combination of medicine and behavioral strategies, lifestyle changes and counseling. Doctors will look at the medical history of the patient and determine if any other issues such as depression or an anxiety disorder may be contributing symptoms.
Stimulants are often the first drugs to be tried. Other medications include atomoxetine a nonstimulant (Strattera) and a few antidepressants.
Medication
Adults with ADHD are usually treated with stimulant medications. These drugs adjust the levels of chemical messengers which control your attention in your brain. These are norepinephrine and dopamine. The stimulants increase the amount of norepinephrine, which enhances your ability to concentrate. They also decrease the brain's natural inclination for dopamine to be absorbed and reduces 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 aren't going to solve all of your issues. They can cause side effects such as weight loss, irritability, or difficulty sleeping. Discuss with your doctor the possible side effects of any medication you are prescribed.
The drugs used to treat ADHD in adults include both stimulants as well as nonstimulant medications. Your doctor will suggest the correct dosage and medicine for you based on your individual situation, symptoms, and health history. Certain people do not react to stimulant medication while others may not experience any reaction at any time.
There are three types of ADHD medications: immediate-release, extended-release and Atomoxetine. Immediate-release medications are available as required. They usually peak 30 to 60 minutes after intake and then quickly wear off. Extended-release medications are taken once each day and last up to 16 hours, helping in reducing symptoms. People who take extended release ADHD medications often supplement them with a dose of instant-release late in the afternoon or evening.
Atomoxetine is the first non-stimulant approved to treat ADHD in adults. It works by limiting certain chemical substances that control mood and attention in the brain. It is a longer-lasting drug that has a sustained release than other ADHD drugs, like bupropion (Wellbutrin) which is a stimulant that increases the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in your brain.
Your doctor could prescribe guanfacine, clonidine, or other drugs that regulate the part of your brain that controls your attention. These drugs can be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD and tics or anxiety. These drugs, also referred to as cholinergic drugs are only available by prescription from your physician or psychiatrist.
Therapy
Therapy is often incorporated into the treatment of ADHD as well as medication. Therapy can help your family and you learn how ADHD affects your relationships and lifestyle. It can help you learn strategies and techniques to manage your ADHD symptoms.
For instance therapy can teach you organizational techniques to help you stay on top of tasks and maintain control over your environment. A therapist can help you learn how to resolve conflicts and problem-solving as well as strategies to improve concentration and focus. You can learn yoga, breathing exercises meditation, or other relaxation techniques in order to calm yourself down and improve your mood. This is also referred to as biofeedback and hypnotherapy.
A Therapist can also help you develop coping skills for dealing with the emotional and behavioral issues that are common in adults with ADHD. Therapists can offer, for instance, cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a talking therapy that teaches how your beliefs and thoughts influence your mood and behavior. CBT is especially effective for addressing the executive functioning problems that can be a result of ADHD issues, like trouble organizing, planning and time management.
Another alternative is dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), which helps you to change the way you react to difficult emotions. DBT includes mindfulness, which teaches how to observe your thoughts without judgment, emotion regulation that helps you manage difficult emotions, as well as training in interpersonal skills. It is for people with multiple disorders, like anxiety and depression.
It's important to remember that when you first begin taking medicine, it takes some time for your body to adapt to the new medication. You may continue to experience problems at home and work until you've gained enough experience to cope with your symptoms. In the meantime, consider making small changes in your lifestyle to help you cope.
Ask your boss or professor for accommodations if you are unorganized and impulsive. This will allow you to get through your classes. You could also ask your friends and family to provide accommodations for your ADHD. You might also look into marriage counseling or family therapy, which can assist you and your loved ones learn to communicate better and understand the difficulties of one another.
Education
Psychosocial treatment for adults can help reduce symptoms and improve function. The treatments may include a variety of treatments, and may be provided in person or online. These treatments can be paired with medication to obtain the most effective results.
A diagnosis is the first step to treat ADHD. A trained mental health professional utilizes scales and semistructured interviews to gather information on the individual's issues. Then, they will identify the issue and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Talk therapy can be used to assist people suffering from ADHD deal with their issues and manage the symptoms. 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 focus on managing emotions and improving the organization skills of individuals. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists people overcome negative attitudes and behaviors that may be preventing them from achieving their goals.
Marriage and family counseling can help address the challenges that ADHD can bring to personal and professional relationships. It can help families and couples how to communicate more effectively and identify patterns that lead to conflict. It can also assist in identifying ways to improve communication and create optimism for the future.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from a behavioral therapy program by improving their self-esteem and developing an honest perspective of their abilities. It can help them learn to better manage their time, money and their personal space and also manage their impulsive behavior and help them manage anger and stress. These skills can be mastered either in group or individually through therapy.
Meditation or mindfulness training can be a powerful form of therapy to treat adults with ADHD. It can help people be present in the 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 by a therapist and can be combined with other treatment methods such as CBT and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
Other treatment options for ADHD in adults include cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal therapy. These therapies focus on improving interpersonal skills. Some people suffering from ADHD use complementary health approaches to combat their symptoms, which includes eating habits and supplements. These methods haven't been scientifically proven to help improve ADHD however, some people find them helpful.
Support
As a mature adult with ADHD you may be overwhelmed by the challenges you face. When your ADHD symptoms become more severe it can be difficult to manage relationships to paying bills and keeping deadlines can be challenging. Your symptoms can also affect your self-esteem and make it difficult to comprehend why you are acting the way you do. You should seek out treatment in order to overcome your difficulties and live an active lifestyle.
Many adults suffering from ADHD discover that medications are effective but they do not address all symptoms nor improve your quality of life. It's important that you get an integrated treatment plan for adults with adhd that includes therapy and medication.
Therapy can help you learn to manage your ADHD symptoms, and also help you develop coping strategies. It can help you learn how to manage your emotions and your relationships. Relaxation techniques can also help you reduce stress and improve your concentration. It is also essential to receive assistance from your family and friends. Talk therapy can help you learn how to communicate better and cope with anger and impulse-driven behavior.
There are many kinds of talk therapy. They include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), metacognitive and interpersonal therapy. CBT is a well-established method that assists you in developing better techniques for coping and to change negative thinking patterns. Metacognitive therapy can help you improve your organizational skills and time management, as well as planning. It can also help to eliminate the distortions in your thinking that cause a bad mood and a feeling of a lack of choices.
A recent study of a cognitive remediation program for adults with ADHD showed that the program, which comprised small group therapy sessions, coaching and exercises improved the quality of life and symptom reduction (Stevenson and co. 2002). This type of therapy is typically less expensive than individual psychotherapy. iampsychiatry allows you to participate in sessions with others who face similar challenges which can be helpful.
There are many online resources to find an adult adhd therapist and support groups. Some of these services provide virtual sessions via chat rooms or video chat and others provide face-to-face sessions in your area. These services are growing in popularity and research is ongoing to determine their effectiveness.