ADHD Adult Treatment
The drugs for ADHD enhance brain activity in areas that control attention, behavior and cognition. Adults are prescribed stimulants belonging to the amphetamines family that include lisdexamphetamine (marketed under the names Adderall and Concerta), and methylphenidate, sold under the name Ritalin.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common treatment for adults with ADHD. CBT helps clients recognize and modify unhelpful thinking patterns.
Medications
The most frequently prescribed medication for ADHD is stimulants. These drugs help people to remain focused, decrease impulse-driven behavior, and regulate their bloodpressure. They come in long- and short-acting formulas. They can be taken once every day or more often as needed. Side effects can include decreased appetite, sleep disturbances and the rebound effect, which is a brief period of depression or fatigue after the medication has worn off. These effects are usually mild and go disappear after a few weeks or days.
But stimulant medications aren’t for everyone. Some people may experience mental health issues, like hostility or paranoia. They can also raise the heart rate and blood pressure. Those with bipolar disorder, severe depression, or Tourette's syndrome shouldn't take stimulants. People with a history of addiction to drugs are also at risk of taking the drug in a way that isn't safe for a variety of reasons, including crushing pills and smoking them to get high.
There are treat adhd in adults of non-stimulant ADHD medication, including Strattera (atomoxetine), Qelbree (viloxazine) and Intuniv (guanfacine). These medicines don't affect dopamine as stimulants do. They work by raising levels of a brain chemical called norepinephrine. It enhances focus and decreases 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 is known as titration. In these sessions, your physician will be monitoring your body's response to the medication and any side effects. After a stable dose is reached, you'll need to keep track of your clinical monitoring at least every three months to make sure the medication remains efficient. These appointments help your doctor determine if the dosage has to change. They will also be able to check for any comorbid conditions such as heart disease.
Counseling
For adults suffering from ADHD Counseling can be as effective as medications in addressing symptoms. Psychotherapy is a method of helping patients learn to manage their symptoms and improve the way they interact with other people. It may comprise individual therapy, group support as well as cognitive behavior therapy or any other psychotherapeutic approach. Psychotherapy can increase motivation for treatment and reduce negative moods, which are common among those who suffer from ADHD. It can also teach patients and their significant others ways to improve relationships that include conflict resolution, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from multiple disorders than people without the condition, which is why it is important to treat any other mental health issues that may be present. Depression, anxiety disorders and bipolar disorder are all able to share similar symptoms as ADHD. These underlying disorders may improve the response of ADHD medications and help you to control ADHD symptoms.
In a study evaluating the effectiveness of various types of psychotherapy, participants rated stress-reducing techniques and mindfulness meditation as very helpful or helpful. Both cognitive behavioral therapy and family counseling were rated as extremely helpful or very beneficial. These methods can be combined to form an entire treatment program for adults with ADHD.
Therapists also can help patients with organizational and time management issues. They can assist patients in developing more efficient routines and strategies to organize their daily tasks. They can help patients identify and correct thinking errors which can lead to self-defeating negative moods or unrealistic expectations. Cognitive-behavioral therapies are designed to help patients overcome their negative thinking patterns that can cause frustration for those with ADHD.
Psychotherapy can be extremely beneficial in improving the relationship between coworkers or friends. People who suffer from ADHD tend to forget appointments, miss deadlines and make decisions impulsively that can cause stress in even the most understanding partner or spouse. Marriage and family therapy helps families and couples to understand how to deal with these problems. Classes that help improve communication and conflict resolution in couples and families have a profound effect on the lives of ADHD adults.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is a psychological therapy that focuses on modifying the environment to meet the needs of an individual. People suffering from ADHD have difficulty staying focused, staying on a job for a long period of time as well as paying their bills and coping with sensory input. The practice of occupational therapy can aid in these problems.
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 help them develop techniques that allow them to manage their impulses and interact with other people without causing a rift or disrupting the conversation.
Executive function skills are a challenge for a lot of adults suffering from ADHD. These include working memory ability to plan, shifting focus, setting priorities, and self-control. An OT can aid them in developing these abilities and strategies to improve their daily functioning.
Adults with ADHD might be suffering from sensory processing issues that cause them to be overstimulated by auditory, visual, and tactile stimuli. This kind of ADHD can cause people to be sensitive to light, smells, touch or sound, and may even dislike physical contact. An OT can help them learn to deal with these issues and can suggest strategies to manage the overload of sensory input or avoiding 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 a outlet for this energy, it could lead to emotional meltdowns or angry outbursts during inconvenient times such as during reading time at school. An OT can help them learn to channel their energy into more constructive ways, like playing sports or taking part in a social group.
Children with ADHD can have trouble in traditional schools since they're not designed to accommodate neurodivergent kids, which makes it hard for them to follow directions or stay in the classroom. An OT can assist the teacher of a child make adjustments to better support them for ADHD, such as implementing a weekly schedule and introducing alternatives to seating.
Individual Therapy
The symptoms of ADHD in adults can have a significant impact on a person’s life and relationships. Talk therapy can help ADHD sufferers manage the symptoms and improve their quality-of-life by dealing with the emotional and behavioral issues that come with this disorder. Often times, comorbid conditions like depression or drug misuse are also treated through psychotherapy.
Cognitive psychotherapy helps patients develop new coping skills to manage their symptoms. It includes mindfulness meditation and regulation of emotions. It can also help them recognize and correct thinking errors that contribute to negative emotions and hinder solving problems. The aim of psychotherapy is to lessen the impact of the symptoms of ADHD while also enhancing existing skills for coping.
Behavioral therapy is a personal counseling form that helps those with ADHD organize their work and home environments. It also addresses particular issues that are difficult to deal with, such as the tendency to forget or insanity. It can also help encourage positive reinforcement such as rewards for good behavior, and consequences for bad behavior. It can also teach family members techniques to manage symptoms, such as timers and reminders of chores and appointments.
People suffering from ADHD can also benefit from dietary changes. It is recommended to eat regular meals and snacks not more than three hours apart. They should also avoid sugary drinks, and increase their intake of complex carbs and protein to help maintain a steady level of energy throughout the day. It is important to ensure that they are eating at regular meals and enough sleep.
Individuals suffering from ADHD have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships. Individual talk therapy helps people deal with these issues and teach them to communicate better. It can also address any underlying issues that cause feelings of failure and self-worth issues or frequent job changes.
Medications are the most effective treatment for ADHD symptoms, but they don't always have long-lasting effects and can trigger negative side effects for some people. Combining them with other therapies can lead to more lasting benefits. Research has shown that medication can lower the rate of depression, motor vehicle accidents, and suicide among adults with ADHD.