ADHD Adult Treatment
The medications for ADHD increase 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.
Counseling for adults with ADHD typically involves cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps clients recognize and modify unhelpful thinking patterns.
Medicines
The most commonly prescribed treatment for ADHD is stimulants. They help people stay focused, reduce the tendency to be impulsive and also control their blood pressure. These drugs are available in short-acting as well as long-acting versions. The people who take them can choose to take them a few or a few times a day, as needed. The side effects could include a decrease in appetite, sleep disturbances and a rebound effect, an occasional period of depression or fatigue when the medicine wears off. These symptoms are usually mild and go off after a couple of weeks or a few days.
But stimulant medications aren’t for everyone. They can trigger psychiatric problems in some people, including anxiety or paranoia. They can also increase blood pressure and heart rate. Those suffering from bipolar disorder, severe depression, or Tourette's disorder should not use stimulants. People with a history addiction to drugs are also at risk for misuse of the medication for a variety of reasons, including crushing pills and smoking them to get high.
There are several different types 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 a brain chemical called norepinephrine. It enhances focus and decreases the tendency to be impulsive. They can also help with depression and anxiety.
If you decide to take medication for ADHD the doctor will probably prescribe a low dose, and gradually increase it until you reach the optimal level. This is known as the titration. During these visits, your doctor will be monitoring your body's response to the medication and any side effects. You'll have to attend regular routine clinical monitoring appointments every three months following you have reached a steady dosage to ensure that the medication is still working. These appointments will assist your doctor determine whether the dosage should be adjusted. They may also check for any comorbid conditions such as heart disease.
Counseling
For adults with ADHD, counseling can be as effective as medication in treating symptoms. Psychotherapy can help patients manage their symptoms and improves how they interact. It may be a combination of individual therapy or group support as well as cognitive behavior therapy or any other psychotherapeutic approach. Psychotherapy can help improve motivation for treatment and decrease negative moods that are common in people with ADHD. It can also teach patients and their family members ways to improve relationships that include conflict resolution, problem-solving and communication skills.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely of having comorbid mental health conditions than those who don't. It is therefore important to take care of any mental health problems present. Depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorder can all have similar symptoms as ADHD. These disorders can improve the response to ADHD medications and help you to manage ADHD symptoms.
In a study that evaluated the effectiveness of different types of psychotherapy, participants assessed mindfulness meditation and techniques to reduce stress as quite helpful or extremely beneficial. Cognitive behavioral therapy and family counseling were rated extremely helpful or very beneficial. These strategies can be incorporated into a complete program of treatment for adults with ADHD.
Therapists can also help patients with problems with time management and organization. They can suggest strategies for overcoming procrastination and creating more efficient routines to manage daily tasks. They can teach patients to identify and correct thinking distortions that can lead to self-defeating negative moods or unrealistic expectations. Cognitive-behavioral therapies are designed to help patients change their negative thinking patterns which can cause frustration for those with ADHD.
Psychotherapy is particularly useful in improving relationships with friends, colleagues and partners. People with ADHD tend to miss appointments, forget deadlines and make impulsive decisions that can create stress in even the most understanding partner or spouse. Marriage and family therapy helps families and couples to know how to handle these issues. Similarly, classes for improving the ability to communicate and resolve conflicts for families and couples can be a significant influence on the lives of those with ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is an area of treatment for behavior which focuses on adjusting the environment to fit the needs of an individual. People suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty staying organized, completing the same task for extended periods of time, settling bills, and dealing with sensory input, all of which are areas which are addressed by occupational therapy.
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 practice strategies that help them control their impulses and work with others without having a meltdown or disrupting the conversation.
Many people with ADHD also struggle with executive function skills. These include working memory skills and planning skills, as well as shifting focus, setting priorities, and self-control. An OT can help in the development of these skills and strategies to improve their daily functioning.
Certain adults with ADHD have sensory processing problems which can cause them to be overwhelmed or overstimulated by auditory, visual, tactile and gustatory stimuli. People with this kind of ADHD might be sensitive to sounds, smells or touch and may not like physical contact. An OT can help them learn to deal with these issues and may suggest 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. If they don't have an outlet for this energy, it could cause emotional meltdowns and angry outbursts in unintentional times, like during silent reading time at school. An OT can teach them to channel their energy in more constructive ways, like playing sports or joining a social group.
Children with ADHD can have trouble in traditional schools due to the fact that they're not designed for neurodivergent kids, which makes it hard to follow directions or sit still in class. An OT can collaborate with the school of a child to make changes that will better website support them for ADHD, such as implementing a weekly schedule or providing alternative seating options.
Individual Therapy
The symptoms of ADHD in adults can have a significant impact on a person’s life and relationships. Therapy can help ADHD sufferers manage the symptoms and improve their quality of life by dealing with the emotional and behavioral issues associated with this disorder. Often times, comorbid conditions like depression or substance abuse are also addressed with psychotherapy.
Cognitive psychotherapy can teach patients new strategies for coping with their issues, such as mindfulness meditation and emotional regulation. It can also assist them to recognize and correct thinking errors that contribute to negative emotions and hinder problem-solving abilities. The aim of psychotherapy is to reduce the impact of the symptoms of ADHD while improving existing coping skills.
Behavioral therapy is a kind of individual counseling that can help people with ADHD learn to organize their home and workplaces. It can be used to tackle specific issues, like forgetfulness 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 can also instruct family members on techniques to help manage symptoms, such as timers for medication or reminders, prompting, and reminders for appointments or chores and reducing distractions during household tasks.
In addition, people suffering from ADHD might benefit from dietary modifications. It is recommended that they eat regular snacks and meals no more than 3 hours apart. They should also avoid drinks that are sweet and increase their intakes of complex carbohydrates and protein to maintain a constant level of energy throughout the day. It is essential to ensure that they eat at regular meals, and get enough sleep.
People with ADHD have difficulty making 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, such as feelings of failure and self-worth issues or frequent job changes.
While medications are the most effective method to treat ADHD symptoms, they can have 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 with ADHD.