ADHD Adult Treatment
The medications used to treat ADHD increase brain activity in areas that regulate attention, behavior and cognition. Adults are prescribed stimulants from the amphetamines group that include lisdexamphetamine (marketed under the names Adderall and Concerta) and methylphenidate, which is sold under the brand name Ritalin.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a typical form of treatment for adult ADHD. CBT teaches clients to identify and alter the patterns of thinking that are not helpful.
Medicines
The most frequently prescribed treatment for ADHD is stimulants. These drugs help people to stay focused, reduce impulsive behaviors and control their blood pressure. These drugs are available in short-acting and long-acting forms. They can be taken one time every day or more often when needed. Side effects can include decreased appetite, sleep disturbances and a rebound effect, an occasional period of irritability or mood swings when the medicine wears off. The majority of these effects aren't severe, and typically disappear in their own time after some time or weeks.
Stimulant medications aren't right for everyone, but. Certain people may be suffering from mental health issues, like hostility or paranoia. They can also raise blood pressure and heart rate. People suffering from Tourette's Syndrome or bipolar disorder shouldn't take stimulants. People with a drug abuse history are also at greater chance of consuming the drug. For instance they might crush pills and then snort them to get 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 increase levels of norepinephrine within the brain, which improves concentration and reduces impulsiveness. They can also help with depression and anxiety.
If you decide to take medication for ADHD the doctor will probably prescribe a lower dose and gradually increase it until you reach the optimal level. This process is called the titration. In these sessions, your physician will observe your body's reaction to the medication and any side effects. You'll be required to attend regular routine clinical monitoring appointments every three months following you reach a stable dosage to ensure that the medication is still effective. These appointments allow your doctor to determine if the dosage has to be adjusted. They will also be able to check for any comorbidities, like heart disease.
Counseling
For adults with ADHD, counseling can be as effective as medications for treating symptoms. Psychotherapy can help patients manage their symptoms and improves the way they interact. It may include individual therapy as well as group support, cognitive behavioral therapy or other psychotherapeutic methods. Psychotherapy can increase motivation to treat ADHD and decrease negative emotions. It can also teach patients and their significant others strategies for improving relationships such as conflict resolution, problem-solving and communication skills.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have comorbid disorders than those without the condition, so it's important to treat any other mental health conditions that may be present. Depression, anxiety disorders and bipolar disorder can all share similar symptoms to ADHD. Treatment for these disorders can improve the response to ADHD medications and help manage ADHD symptoms.
In a study that evaluated the effectiveness of various types of psychotherapy, participants rated mindfulness meditation and techniques for reducing stress as extremely helpful or beneficial. Cognitive behavioral therapy and family counseling were rated as very helpful or quite helpful. These approaches can be combined into a complete program of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD.
Therapists can also assist patients with organizational and time management problems. They can assist patients in developing more effective routines and strategies for organizing their day-to-day tasks. They can assist patients to identify and correct thinking distortions which can cause negative moods, unrealistic expectations or self-defeating feelings. The objectives of cognitive-behavioral therapy is to help patients identify and change negative patterns here of thinking that are often the primary source of frustration in individuals with ADHD.
Psychotherapy can be very beneficial in improving the quality of relationships with co-workers, friends and partners. People with ADHD are prone to forgetting appointments, ignoring deadlines and making decisions impulsively that can strain even the most understanding spouse or partner. Marriage and family therapy can assist families and couples understand how to better manage these issues. Classes that improve communication and conflict resolution within couples and families have a significant impact on the lives of ADHD adults.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is an area of behavioral therapy that focuses on shaping the environment to fit the needs of an individual. People suffering from ADHD have difficulty staying focused, staying on a task for a long period of time and also paying their bills and dealing with sensory input. Occupational therapy can help with these issues.
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 situations, an OT can help them develop techniques that will enable them to manage their impulses and work with other people without an episode or disrupting the discussion.
Many people with ADHD also struggle with executive functions. They have problems with working memory, coordinating skills shifting attention setting priorities, and self-control. An OT can help them build these skills and develop strategies that will improve their daily functioning.
Certain adults with ADHD have problems with sensory processing, which can cause them to become overstimulated or overwhelmed by visual, auditory, sensory and gustatory stimuli. Those who have this type of ADHD may be sensitive to sounds, smells or touch and may not like physical contact. An OT can help them learn how to deal with the situation and suggest strategies for managing sensory overstimulation or 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 their energy, it can result in 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 participating in a social group.
Children with ADHD might have issues in traditional schools because they are not designed for children with neurodivergent issues. 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 support them, such as creating a weekly schedule and introducing alternatives to seating.
Individual Therapy
The symptoms of ADHD in adults can have a profound impact on a person’s life and relationships. Therapy can help ADHD sufferers manage the symptoms and improve their quality-of-life by addressing the emotional and behavioral issues that arise from this disorder. In many cases, comorbidities like depression or substance abuse are also addressed with psychotherapy.
Cognitive psychotherapy helps patients develop new coping skills to manage their symptoms. This includes mindfulness meditation and emotion regulation. It can also assist them to identify and change thinking distortions that contribute to negative emotions and hamper solving problems. Psychotherapy is a method to lessen the effects of ADHD symptoms while strengthening existing strategies for coping.
Behavioral therapy is a form of individual counseling that can help those suffering from ADHD learn to organize their homes and workplaces. It can also be used to address particular issues, such as the tendency to forget and impulsiveness. It can also promote the use of positive reinforcement, for example, rewards for good behavior, and consequences for behavior that is not good. It is also a way to instruct family members on techniques to assist with symptom management like timers for medication, prompting and reminders for chores or appointments and reducing distractions when doing household chores.
People with ADHD may also benefit from diet changes. It is recommended that they take regular meals and snacks no more than 3 hours apart. They should also avoid sweet drinks and increase their intake of complex carbohydrates and protein to ensure they have a steady supply of energy during the day. It is also essential to plan regular meals and make sure they get enough rest.
Individuals with ADHD have difficulty making and maintaining relationships. Individual talk therapy helps people deal with these issues and teaches them to communicate better. It can also address the root issues like feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, or frequent job changes.
While medications are the most effective method to treat ADHD symptoms, they do have side effects for some people. Combining medication with other treatments could bring about longer-lasting benefits. Research has proven that medication can decrease the risk of depression as well as motor vehicle accidents and suicide among adults with ADHD.