ADHD Adult Treatment
The drugs for ADHD boost brain activity in the areas that control attention, behaviour and cognition. Adults are prescribed stimulants from the amphetamines family that include lisdexamphetamine (marketed under the names Adderall and Concerta) and methylphenidate, which is sold under the brand name Ritalin.
Counseling for adults with ADHD typically involves cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps clients recognize and modify unhelpful patterns of thinking.
Medicines
The most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD is stimulants. These medications help people stay focused, reduce the tendency to be impulsive and also control their blood pressure. They are available in long- and short-acting formulas. People who take them can decide to take them a few or a few times throughout the day, as required. Some of the side effects include a decrease in appetite, insomnia and a rebound which is a brief time that makes you feel depressed or tired after taking the medicine. These symptoms tend to be mild and go off after a couple of weeks or days.
But stimulant medications aren’t for everyone. They can trigger psychiatric problems in some people, such as paranoia or hostility. They can also raise the heart rate and blood pressure. People who suffer from Tourette's syndrome or severe depression or bipolar disorder shouldn't take stimulants. People with a substance abuse history are also at greater risk of misusing the medication. For example, they may crush pills and snort them to gain a high.
There are many different kinds of non-stimulant ADHD medications, including Strattera (atomoxetine), Qelbree (viloxazine) and Intuniv (guanfacine). These medicines don't affect dopamine as stimulants do. They function by increasing levels of a chemical in the brain known as norepinephrine. This helps improve focus and reduces impulsiveness. They also reduce depression and help with anxiety.
If you decide to take medication for ADHD, your doctor will probably prescribe a lower dose and gradually increase it over time until you reach the optimal level. This process is known as titration. During these appointments your doctor will be monitoring your body's reaction to the medication, as well as any adverse reactions you experience. Once a stable dose has been achieved, you'll have to attend regular clinical monitoring appointments at least every three months to make sure the medication remains effective. These appointments will allow your doctor to determine if the dosage needs to be adjusted. They can also look for any comorbid conditions, such as heart disease.
Counseling
Counseling is as effective as medications for adults with ADHD. Psychotherapy focuses on helping patients overcome their symptoms and improve the way they interact with others. It could involve individual therapy, group support, cognitive behavior therapy and other psychotherapeutic techniques. Psychotherapy can increase motivation to treat ADHD and reduce negative emotions. It can help patients learn their families strategies for improving relationships. These include problem solving, conflict resolution and communication skills.
Adults with ADHD have a higher risk of having multiple mental health problems than those who do not suffer from it. Therefore, it is important to take care of any mental health problems present. Depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and substance use disorders are all conditions that have similar symptoms to ADHD. These underlying disorders may improve the response of ADHD medications and make it easier for you to manage ADHD symptoms.
In a study that assessed the effectiveness of different types of psychotherapy, participants rated mindfulness meditation and techniques for reducing stress as very or helpful. Cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy were rated as quite useful or very helpful. These methods can be combined to create an extensive treatment program for adults with ADHD.
Therapists can also help patients with time and organizational management problems. They can help patients develop more efficient routines and strategies for organising their day-to-day tasks. They can teach patients to identify and correct thinking errors which can lead to self-defeating negative moods and unrealistic expectations. The main goals of cognitive-behavioral therapies is to help patients identify and change negative thinking patterns that are often an important source of stress for those suffering from ADHD.
Psychotherapy can be very beneficial in improving the relationship between coworkers, friends and partners. People who suffer from ADHD tend to miss appointments, forget deadlines and make decisions impulsively which can cause stress to even the most understanding partner or spouse. Therapy for marriage and family helps families and couples to know how to handle these issues. Additionally, classes to improve communication and conflict resolution skills in couples and families can have a profound effect on the lives of adults who suffer from ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is a type of treatment for behavior that focuses on molding the environment to fit an individual's needs. People suffering from ADHD struggle to stay organized, focusing on a task over long periods of time as well as paying their bills and coping 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 instances an OT can help them develop methods that will allow them to manage their impulses and work with other people without causing a rift or disrupting the conversation.
Executive function skills are also a challenge for a lot of adults with ADHD. These include working memory, planning skills, shifting focus, setting priorities and self-control. An OT can help them build these skills and devise strategies that improve their daily functioning.
Certain adults with ADHD have sensory processing problems which could cause them to become overstimulated or overwhelmed by auditory, visual tactile and gustatory stimuli. This type of ADHD can cause people to be sensitive to light, smells, sounds, or touch, and may even dislike physical contact. An OT can help them learn how to cope and recommend strategies for managing sensory overload 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 way to channel for their energy, it could lead to emotional meltdowns or angry outbursts during inconvenient times like during quiet reading time at school. An OT can help them channel their energy in more positive ways, such as participating in sports or joining a group.
Children with ADHD might struggle in traditional schools because they are not designed for neurodivergent children. This makes it difficult for them to remain still or follow directions. An OT can help a child's teacher make changes to support him or her by setting up a weekly calendar and offering alternative seating options.
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 lives by addressing emotional and behavioral issues that are often associated with the disorder. Psychotherapy is often used to treat comorbid conditions, such as substance abuse and depression.
Cognitive psychotherapy teaches patients new strategies for managing their symptoms. It includes mindfulness meditation and the regulation of emotions. It can also help them recognize and correct thinking errors that contribute to negative emotions and hamper solving problems. Psychotherapy's goal is to reduce the impact of the symptoms of ADHD while enhancing pre-existing coping skills.
Behavioral therapy is a one-on-one counseling method that assists those with ADHD manage their home and work environments. It also addresses specific issues that are difficult to deal with such as the tendency to forget or impulsiveness. It can also encourage positive reinforcement, such as rewards for good behavior and consequences for bad behaviour. It can also train family members in techniques to help manage symptoms like timers for medication as well as prompting and reminders for appointments or chores, and reducing distractions during household chores.
People suffering from ADHD can also benefit from diet changes. It is recommended that they eat regular meals and snacks not more than three hours apart. They should also avoid drinks with sugar, and increase their intake of complex carbohydrates and protein to maintain a steady level of energy throughout the day. It is important to ensure that they have regular mealtimes, and get enough sleep.
People with ADHD have a hard time creating and maintaining relationships. Individual therapy can adhd treatment without meds help people cope with these issues and help them learn to communicate more effectively. It can also address underlying issues such as feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, or frequent job changes.
Although medications are the most effective way to treat ADHD symptoms, they may have side effects for some people. Combining treatments with other therapies could provide more long-lasting benefits. Research has shown that medications can lower the risk of depression motor vehicle accidents, depression and suicide among adults suffering from ADHD.