ADHD Adult Treatment
The medications used to treat ADHD boost brain activity in areas that regulate attention, behaviour, and cognition. Adults are prescribed stimulants belonging to the amphetamines family that include lisdexamphetamine (marketed under the names Adderall and Concerta), and methylphenidate. Both are sold under the name Ritalin.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a popular treatment for adults with ADHD. CBT helps clients identify and alter unhelpful thinking patterns.
Medications
Stimulants are the most commonly used treatment for ADHD. These drugs help people stay focused, lessen the tendency to be impulsive and also control their blood pressure. These medications are available in short-acting and long-acting formulations. They can be taken once every day or more often depending on the need. Some of the side effects include a decrease in appetite, insomnia, and a rebound, which is a brief moment that makes you feel tired or depressed after taking the medication. These symptoms tend to be mild and go disappear after a few weeks or days.
These medications aren't suitable for everyone, however. They can cause psychiatric issues in certain people, such as hostility or paranoia. They can also increase the heart rate and blood pressure. People suffering from Tourette's Syndrome or severe depression or bipolar disorder shouldn't use stimulants. People with a drug abuse history are also at higher risk of misuse of the medication. For instance they might crush pills and snort them to achieve a high.
There are many different kinds of non-stimulant ADHD medications, such as Strattera (atomoxetine), Qelbree (viloxazine) and Intuniv (guanfacine). These medicines don't affect dopamine as stimulants do. They work by raising levels of a chemical in the brain known as norepinephrine. This improves focus and reduces the tendency to be impulsive. They also reduce depression and help with anxiety.
If you decide to take medication for ADHD Your doctor will probably prescribe a low dose, and gradually increase it over time until you reach the ideal level. This process is called titration. During these visits, your doctor will observe your body's reaction to the medication as well as any side effects. Once a steady dose has been achieved, you'll have to keep track of your clinical monitoring at least every three months to ensure that the medication remains efficient. These appointments will allow your doctor to determine whether the dosage should be adjusted. They may also check for any comorbidities, such as heart disease.
Counseling
For adults suffering from ADHD, counseling can be as effective as medications in addressing symptoms. Psychotherapy assists patients in managing their symptoms and improves how they interact. It could be a combination of individual therapy or group support as well as cognitive behavior therapy or any other psychotherapeutic method. Psychotherapy can help improve motivation to seek treatment and decrease negative moods, which are common in people who suffer from ADHD. It can also teach patients and their loved ones strategies for improving relationships that include conflict resolution, problem-solving and communication skills.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to have comorbid disorders than those without the condition, so it is 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 with ADHD. These underlying disorders may enhance the effectiveness to ADHD medications and help you to control ADHD symptoms.
In a study that evaluated the effectiveness of different types of psychotherapy participants rated mindfulness meditation and stress-reducing techniques as very or helpful. Cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy were evaluated as very helpful or very helpful. These methods can be combined to form an extensive treatment program for adults with ADHD.
Therapists can also assist patients with issues with time management and organizational issues. Read the Full Write-up can assist patients in developing more efficient routines and strategies to organize their day-to-day activities. They can help patients identify and correct thinking errors that can lead to negative moods, unrealistic expectations, or self-defeating thoughts. The goals of cognitive-behavioral therapy is to help patients identify and change negative patterns of thinking that are often the primary source of frustration for people with ADHD.
Psychotherapy is particularly useful in improving relationships with friends, colleagues, and partners. People suffering from ADHD are more likely to forget appointments, ignoring deadlines and making impulsive decisions which can be stressful for even the most understanding spouse or partner. Family and marriage therapy can help families and couples recognize how to better deal with these issues. In the same way, classes that help improve the ability to communicate and resolve conflicts for families and couples can be a significant influence on the lives of adults who suffer from ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is a field of treatment for behavior which focuses on adjusting the environment to meet an individual's needs. People suffering from ADHD have difficulty staying organized, focusing on a task over an extended period of time and also paying their bills and dealing with sensory input. Therapy for occupational disorders 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 cases, an OT can help them practice techniques that allow them to manage their impulses and work with others without having a meltdown or disrupting the conversation.
Executive function skills are an issue for many adults with ADHD. These include working memory skills, planning skills, shifting focus, setting priorities, and self-control. An OT can help them build these skills and develop strategies that will improve their daily functioning.
Some people with ADHD have sensory processing problems that can cause them to become overstimulated or overwhelmed by auditory, visual, sensory and gustatory stimuli. People with this type of ADHD might be sensitive to smells, sounds, touch, or light, and they may dislike physical contact. An OT can help them learn to cope with these challenges, and they may recommend strategies for managing 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. This restless energy can lead to anger and emotional outbursts even at the most uncomfortable times, such as during silent reading at school. An OT can teach them to channel their energy in more constructive ways, such as playing sports or joining a social group.
Children with ADHD might have issues in traditional schools, since they aren't designed for children with neurodivergent disorders. This makes it difficult for them to remain still or follow instructions. An OT can help the teacher of a child to make changes to better support them by setting up a weekly calendar and offering alternatives to seating.
Individual Therapy
The symptoms of adult ADHD can have significant effects on a person's life and relationships. Talk therapy can help people deal with these issues and improve their quality of life by addressing behavioral and emotional issues that are often associated with the disorder. Psychotherapy is frequently used to treat comorbid disorders such as addiction and depression.
Cognitive psychotherapy teaches patients new strategies for managing their symptoms. These include mindfulness meditation and emotion regulation. It can also assist patients identify and change thinking distortions which contribute to negative emotions, and hinder their ability to solve problems. Psychotherapy is a method to lessen the impact of ADHD symptoms while enhancing existing coping mechanisms.
Behavioral therapy is a one-on-one counseling technique that helps people with ADHD organize their homes and work environments. It can be used to tackle particular issues, such as the tendency to forget and impulsiveness. It also can encourage the use of positive reinforcement, such as rewards for good behavior and consequences for behavior that is not good. It can teach family members methods to manage symptoms, such as timers and reminders of appointments and chores.
People suffering from ADHD are also able to benefit from diet changes. It is recommended that they eat regular meals and snacks no more than three hours apart, avoid sugary drinks and eat more complex carbs and protein to help maintain a steady amount of energy throughout the day. It is essential to ensure that they are eating at regular meals, and get enough sleep.
Additionally, people with ADHD frequently have difficulty creating and maintaining relationships. Individual therapy can help people overcome these issues and teaches them to communicate better. It can also address any issues that are underlying, such as feelings of being a failure, low self-esteem or frequent job changes.
Medications are the most effective treatment for ADHD symptoms, however they aren't always able to last long effects and may cause negative side effects for some people. Combining them with other treatments can lead to more lasting benefits. Studies have shown that medications can reduce rates for depression as well as motor vehicle accidents and suicide among adults suffering from ADHD.