Adult ADHD Treatment
Most people with ADHD improve their performance with a combination of treatment, behavioral strategies and lifestyle changes. Doctors will review a person's medical history and determine if there are any other issues like depression or anxiety disorder might be causing symptoms.
In most cases, stimulants are among the first drugs people attempt. Other medications include atomoxetine a nonstimulant (Strattera) and some antidepressants.
Medication
Stimulant medication is usually the first-line treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs help adjust the levels of two chemical messengers in your brain that regulate the focus. They are norepinephrine (the chemical messenger) and dopamine. Stimulants work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine that is present in your brain, which improves concentration. They also lessen the brain's natural desire to absorb dopamine, which reduces hyperactivity.
Medications can improve your symptoms and allow you to function more effectively at work, school or in other aspects of your life. However, they aren't going to solve all your problems. You might experience adverse effects such as weight loss, irritability or trouble sleeping. Talk to your doctor about the potential side effects of any medication you are prescribed.
The medications used to treat ADHD for adults include both stimulants and nonstimulant drugs. Your doctor will suggest the right medicine and dose for you based on your individual situation, symptoms, and health history. Some people may not respond to stimulant medications in any way however, others might experience no reaction at all.
There are three kinds of ADHD medications including immediate-release, extended release and Atomoxetine. Immediate-release drugs are taken in the course of need and typically peak between 30 and 60 minutes after taking them, then wear off quickly. Extended-release medications are consumed once every day and last up to 16 hours, aiding in the control of symptoms. People who are taking extended release ADHD medications typically supplement them with a dose of instant-release late in the afternoon or evening.
Atomoxetine which was the first nonstimulant medication approved to treat ADHD in adults, operates by limiting the action of certain brain chemicals that control mood and attention. It is a more long-lasting, sustained release medication than other ADHD medications, such as Bupropion (Wellbutrin) which works by increasing norepinephrine, and dopamine in your brain.
Your doctor could prescribe guanfacine, clonidine, or other drugs that control the part of the brain that controls your attention. These are a great option for people with ADHD who also have anxiety or tics. These drugs, also referred to as cholinergic medications are only available with a prescription from your doctor or psychiatrist.
Therapy
Therapy is often included in the treatment of ADHD in conjunction with medication. Therapy sessions can help you and your family understand how your ADHD affects your relationships and life. It can help you develop strategies and techniques to manage your ADHD symptoms.
For example Therapists can teach you techniques for organizing to ensure you are on top of your tasks and control your surroundings. A therapist can help you learn how to resolve conflicts and problem-solving and methods to increase concentration and focus. You might learn meditation, breathing exercises yoga, or other relaxing techniques to calm yourself and improve your mood. This is also referred to as hypnotherapy and biofeedback.
A therapist can assist you to create strategies for coping with the behavioral and emotional issues common in adults with ADHD. Therapists can offer, for instance, cognitive behavioral therapy which is a type of talk therapy that teaches you how your beliefs and thoughts influence your behavior and feelings. CBT is especially effective for treating executive functioning issues that are associated with ADHD issues, like trouble organizing, planning and time management.
Another alternative is dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) which can help you change how you respond to difficult emotions. DBT includes elements such as mindfulness, which helps you to look at your thoughts and feelings without judgement and emotion regulation, which is focused on managing difficult emotions and interpersonal skills training. It is designed for those with co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
It's important to remember that even when you start taking medicine, it takes some time for your body to adapt to the new medication. It is possible that you will continue to experience issues at work and home until you've developed enough skills to cope with your symptoms. In the meantime, consider implementing small changes to your routine to help you manage.
Ask your boss or professor to make accommodations if you're indecisive and forgetful. This will help you get through your classes. You could also ask your friends and family to accommodate your ADHD. You may also want to look into marriage counseling or family therapy that can help you and your loved ones to communicate better and understand the difficulties of one another.
Education
Psychosocial therapy for adults can reduce symptoms and improve functioning. The treatments may include a variety of treatments, and may be delivered in person or online. These treatments may be combined with medications to get the best results.
One of the first steps to treating ADHD is to receive a diagnosis. A qualified mental health professional will employ scales and semi-structured interviews to collect information about the individual's challenges. They will then be able to make an accurate diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan.
Talk therapy can assist people suffering from ADHD deal with their issues and manage their symptoms. Psychoeducation is one of the therapies that can help patients understand their condition and its effects on work, school and relationships. Other therapies focus on regulating emotions and enhancing the ability to manage their time. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people to change their negative attitudes and behaviors that may be holding them back.
Marriage and family therapy can assist in addressing the challenges ADHD can bring in professional and personal relationships. It can help couples and families to communicate more effectively and recognize patterns that lead to conflict. It can also help them explore ways to improve their communication and develop a more positive outlook for the future.
Behavioral therapy can help people with ADHD improve their self-esteem and develop a more realistic attitude about their abilities. It can also help how to manage their time and money more efficiently, improve their organizational skills, control their impulsive behavior, and improve at coping with stress and anger. These skills can be taught either in a group or in a private session with the psychotherapist.
Meditation, or mindfulness training is also an effective form of therapy for adults with ADHD. It helps people gain more control over their lives, by teaching them to pay attention to the present moment and become more aware. It can be done in a group setting or with a therapist and it can be used in combination with other treatments, such as CBT and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
Other treatment options for ADHD for adults include cognitive behavioral and interpersonal therapy. These treatments focus on improving interpersonal skills. Some people with ADHD use complementary health approaches to combat their symptoms, which includes dietary changes and supplements. These methods haven't been proven scientifically to help improve ADHD but some people find them helpful.
Support
You may be overwhelmed by your ADHD symptoms as an adult. Everything from paying off bills to meeting deadlines at work to managing relationships and maintaining your home can be a challenge when your ADHD symptoms flare up. The symptoms can also impact your self-esteem, making it difficult to understand why you are acting the way you do. It's important to seek treatment to help you overcome your challenges and live an active and productive life.
Medications are effective for many adults with ADHD however they do not address all symptoms or improve your quality of life. That's why it's essential to take a mix of therapy and medication as part of your adult treatment for adhd.
Therapy can help you learn how to manage your ADHD symptoms, and help you develop strategies to cope. It can also help you learn how to manage your mood and relationships. You could also benefit from learning relaxation techniques, which can reduce your stress and boost your focus. It's also important to get support from family and friends. Talk therapy can help you learn how to better communicate and deal with anger and impulse-driven behavior.
There are treatment of adhd in adults of talk therapy. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy, and metacognitive therapy. CBT is a scientifically-based method that helps you overcome negative thoughts and patterns of thought and develop better strategies for coping. Metacognitive therapy can assist you to improve your organizational skills, planning and time management. It can also help you overcome mental distortions that can lead to a bad mood and a feeling of a lack of options.
A recent study of a cognitive rehabilitation program for adults with ADHD showed that the program, which consisted of small group therapy sessions, coaching and exercises, improved quality of life and reduced symptom severity (Stevenson and colleagues, 2002). This kind of therapy can be more affordable than individual psychotherapy. This type of therapy permits you to have sessions with others who are facing similar issues and can be a great source of support.
There are a variety of online resources to help locate an adult adhd therapist or a support group. Some of these offer virtual sessions using chat rooms or video chat and others provide face-to-face meetings in your area. These services are growing in popularity, and research is being conducted to determine their effectiveness.