ADHD Adult Treatment
The medications for ADHD assist in boosting activity in the brain areas that regulate attention and behaviour. Adults are prescribed stimulants from the amphetamines family that include lisdexamphetamine (marketed under the names Adderall and Concerta), and methylphenidate. Both are sold under the brand name Ritalin.
Counseling for adults with ADHD typically involves cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps clients to recognize and change unhelpful thought patterns.
Medicines
Stimulants are among the most popular medication treatment for ADHD. They help people stay focused, reduce the risk of impulsive behavior and manage their blood pressure. They come in short- and long-acting formulas. They can be used once a day or more frequently when needed. Some of the adverse effects include a decreased appetite, sleeplessness, and a rebound, which is a brief moment where you feel tired or depressed after taking the medicine. Most of these symptoms are not severe, and generally disappear in their own time after some time or weeks.
However, stimulant medication isn't for everyone. They can cause psychiatric issues for some people, such as anxiety or paranoia. They can also raise the heart rate and blood pressure. People who suffer from Tourette's syndrome, severe depression or bipolar disorder shouldn't take stimulants. People who have a history of substance abuse are also at risk of taking the drug in a way that isn't safe by crushing pills and snorting them to get high.
There are a variety 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 increasing levels of norepinephrine inside the brain, which improves concentration and decreases the tendency to be impulsive. They can also help with depression and anxiety.
If you decide to take medication for ADHD, your doctor may prescribe a low dose, and gradually increase it until you reach the optimal level. This process is known as the titration. In these sessions, your physician will monitor the body's response to the medication and any adverse effects. You'll need to go to regular medical monitoring appointments every three months after you have reached a steady dosage to ensure the medication is still working. These appointments will help your doctor determine whether the dosage should be adjusted. They can also look for any comorbid conditions, such as heart disease.
Counseling
For adults with ADHD counseling can be as effective as medication in addressing symptoms. Psychotherapy focuses on helping people overcome their symptoms and improve how they interact with other people. It may include individual therapy as well as group support, cognitive behavioral therapy, or other psychotherapeutic modalities. Psychotherapy can boost motivation to treat ADHD and reduce negative emotions. It can help patients learn their parents strategies for improving relationships. These include problems solving, conflict resolution and communication skills.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be afflicted with co-occurring disorders than those who do not have the condition, so it is important to treat any other mental health issues that are present. Depression, anxiety disorders and bipolar disorder all have similar symptoms to ADHD. Treating these underlying disorders can improve the response to ADHD medications and make it easier to control ADHD symptoms.
In a study evaluating the effectiveness of different types of psychotherapy participants rated mindfulness-based meditation and stress-reducing techniques as quite helpful or very useful. Cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy were also rated as quite useful or very helpful. These methods can be combined to form a comprehensive treatment program for adults suffering from ADHD.
Therapists can also help patients with issues with time management and organizational issues. They can suggest strategies for overcoming procrastination and establishing more effective routines for managing daily tasks. They can teach patients to recognize and correct thinking errors that can lead to self-defeating moods or unrealistic expectations. Cognitive-behavioral therapy aims to help patients change their negative thinking patterns, which can be a source of frustration for those with ADHD.
Psychotherapy can be very beneficial in improving the quality of relationships with colleagues, friends and partners. People who suffer from ADHD tend to miss appointments, forget deadlines and make decisions impulsively that can cause stress in even the most understanding partner or spouse. Family and marriage therapy can assist families and couples recognize how to better deal with these problems. In the same way, classes that help improve communication and conflict resolution skills in couples and families can have a profound impact on the lives of adults with ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is a psychological treatment that focuses on modifying the surroundings to meet the individual's needs. People with ADHD struggle to stay organized, focusing on a task for long periods of time as well as paying their bills and coping with sensory input. The practice of occupational therapy can assist 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 assist them in learning strategies that enable them to control their impulses and work with others without an emotional breakdown or disrupting the conversation.
Executive function skills are an issue for many adults with ADHD. how to treat adhd have working memory abilities ability to plan, shifting focus, setting priorities, and self-control. An OT can help them build these skills and devise strategies that improve their daily functioning.
Adults who suffer from ADHD may have sensory processing issues, causing them to be overstimulated by visual, auditory and tactile stimuli. The people who suffer from this type of ADHD might be sensitive to smells, sounds and light and may not like 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 outlet for this energy, it could cause emotional meltdowns and angry outbursts at inconvenient moments like during quiet reading time at school. An OT can help them channel their energy in more positive ways, like playing sports or joining a group.
Children with ADHD can have trouble in traditional schools since they're not set up for neurodivergent children, which makes it difficult for them to follow instructions or remain in class. An OT can help a child's teacher make changes to support the child, such as creating a weekly schedule and offering alternatives to seating.
Individual Therapy
The symptoms of adult ADHD can have a significant impact on a person's life as well as relationships. Talk therapy can help people suffering from ADHD manage their symptoms and improve their lives by addressing the emotional and behavioral issues that come with this disorder. Often times, comorbid conditions like depression or substance misuse can also be addressed 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 assist patients to identify and alter thinking errors that cause negative emotions, and hinder their problem-solving ability. Psychotherapy's goal is to lessen the impact of the symptoms of ADHD while also enhancing existing coping skills.
Behavioral therapy is a personal counseling method that assists those with ADHD manage their work and home environments. It can also be used to address specific problems, 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 bad behavior. It can also teach family members techniques to help manage symptoms such as timers, reminders of appointments and chores.
People suffering from ADHD are also able to benefit from diet changes. It is recommended that they take regular meals and snacks not more than 3 hours apart. They should also avoid sugary drinks and increase their intake of complex carbohydrates and protein to maintain a constant level of energy during the day. It is crucial to ensure that they eat at regular meals and enough sleep.
Additionally, people with ADHD frequently have difficulty creating and maintaining relationships. Individual therapy can help people deal with these issues and help them learn to communicate better. It can also address deeper issues such as feelings of self-worth loss, inadequacy, or frequent job changes.
Although medications are the most effective way to treat ADHD symptoms, they can have side effects for some people. Combining them with other therapies can lead to more lasting benefits. Studies have shown that medication can lower the risk of depression, motor vehicle accidents and suicide among adults suffering from ADHD.