ADHD Adult Treatment
The medications used to treat ADHD increase brain activity in the areas that control attention, behaviour and cognition. Adults are prescribed stimulants belonging to the amphetamines family, such as lisdexamphetamine (marketed under the names Adderall and Concerta), and methylphenidate. Both are sold under the name Ritalin.
Counseling for adults with ADHD typically involves cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT helps clients to recognize and modify unhelpful patterns of thinking.
Medicines
Stimulants are the most commonly used treatment for ADHD. They help people stay focused, reduce impulsive behaviors and control their blood pressure. These medications are available in both short-acting and long-acting formulations. The people who take them can choose to take them a few or a few times a day, if needed. Side effects can include decreased appetite, sleep disturbances and the rebound effect, which is short periods of fatigue or bad mood when the medicine wears off. These symptoms are usually mild and go disappear after a few weeks or days.
However, stimulant medication isn't for everyone. Some people may experience psychiatric issues, such as hostility or paranoia. They can also increase blood pressure and heart rates. People who suffer from Tourette's syndrome, severe depression or bipolar disorder shouldn't take stimulants. People with a history of substance abuse are also at risk for misusing the medication for a variety of reasons, including crushing pills and snorting them to get high.
There are a variety of nonstimulant ADHD medication, including 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 decreases the tendency to be impulsive. They can also help with anxiety and depression.
If you decide to take medication for ADHD the doctor may prescribe a low dose, and gradually increase it until you reach your optimal level. This procedure is known as the titration. During these appointments, your provider will monitor your body's reaction to the medication, including any side effects you have. You'll be required to attend regular medical monitoring appointments every three months following you reach a stable dosage to ensure that the medication is still effective. These appointments will help your doctor determine whether the dosage needs to be adjusted. They can also determine whether there are any co-morbidities like heart problems.
Counseling
Counseling can be as effective as medications for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychotherapy focuses on helping patients learn to cope with their symptoms and improve the way they interact with other people. It may comprise individual therapy, group support, cognitive behavior therapy, or any other psychotherapeutic approach. Psychotherapy can increase motivation to treat ADHD and reduce negative emotions. It can also teach patients and their loved ones strategies to improve relationships, including conflict resolution, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to have comorbid disorders than those without the condition, and it is important to treat any other mental health issues that may be present. Depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and substance use disorders can all have similar symptoms as ADHD. Treatment for these disorders can improve the response to ADHD medications and make it easier to manage 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 counseling were judged to be extremely beneficial or very helpful. These methods can be incorporated to form a comprehensive plan of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD.
Therapists can also assist patients with time and organizational management issues. They can offer strategies for overcoming procrastination and establishing more effective routines for managing daily tasks. They can teach patients to identify and correct thinking distortions that can cause self-defeating negative moods or unrealistic expectations. Cognitive-behavioral therapy aims to help patients change their negative thinking patterns which can be a source of frustration for people with ADHD.
Psychotherapy can be particularly helpful in improving the quality of relationships with co-workers or friends. People who suffer from ADHD tend to forget appointments, miss deadlines, and make impulsive choices that can cause stress in even the most understanding spouse or partner. Marriage and family therapy can assist families and couples learn how to manage these issues. Classes that help improve communication and conflict resolution within families and couples 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 meet the individual's needs. People with ADHD typically have difficulty staying organized, completing an assignment for long periods of time, paying bills and coping with sensory input, all aspects 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 instances, an OT can assist them in learning techniques that will allow them to control impulses and interact with others without an episode or disrupting the discussion.
Many adults suffering from ADHD also struggle with executive functions. They have working memory abilities, planning skills, shifting focus, setting priorities and self-control. An OT can help them build these skills and develop strategies to improve their daily functioning.
Some people with ADHD have problems with sensory processing, which can cause them to be overwhelmed or overwhelmed by auditory, visual, tactile, and gustatory stimuli. This kind of ADHD can cause people to be sensitive to light, smells, touch or sound and can even be averse to physical contact. treating add in adults can help them learn to deal with these issues and can suggest strategies for managing sensory overload or to avoid 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 emotional meltdowns and angry outbursts, even at the most inconvenient times, such as when they are reading silently at school. An OT can help them channel their energy in more constructive ways, like playing sports or joining a social club.
Children with ADHD may have difficulty in traditional schools because they aren't designed for children with neurodivergent disorders. This makes it difficult for them to remain still or follow directions. An OT can help the teacher of a child make adjustments to support the child for ADHD, such as implementing a weekly schedule and offering alternative seating options.
Individual Therapy
The symptoms of adult ADHD can have significant effects on a person's life as well as relationships. Talk therapy can help ADHD sufferers manage the symptoms and improve their quality-of-life by dealing with the emotional and behavioral issues that arise from this disorder. Often times, comorbid conditions like depression or substance abuse are also addressed with psychotherapy.
Cognitive psychotherapy teaches patients new coping skills to manage their symptoms. This includes mindfulness meditation and regulation of emotions. It can also help patients to identify and alter the way they think, which can lead to negative emotions and can hinder their ability to solve problems. The aim of psychotherapy is to reduce the effects of the symptoms of ADHD while improving existing abilities to cope.
Behavioral therapy is a type of individual counseling that helps those suffering from ADHD learn to organize their homes and workplace environments. It also addresses specific problems that are difficult to handle like the tendency to forget or impulsiveness. It also can encourage the use of positive reinforcement, for example, rewards for good behavior and consequences for negative behavior. It can also teach family members strategies to manage symptoms, such as timers, reminders of appointments and chores.
In addition, people suffering from ADHD may benefit from dietary changes. It is recommended to consume regular meals and snacks no more than 3 hours apart. They should also avoid drinks that are sweet and increase their intakes of complex carbohydrates and proteins to ensure they have a steady supply of energy during the day. It is crucial to ensure that they eat at regular meals and enough sleep.
In addition, those with ADHD frequently have difficulty making and maintaining relationships. Individual talk therapy helps people to overcome these issues and help them learn to communicate better. It can also address the root issues like feelings of inadequateness, low self-esteem or frequent job changes.
Medications are the most effective treatment for ADHD symptoms, however they don't always have long-lasting effects and can cause negative side effects for some people. Combining them with other treatments can result in longer-lasting benefits. Research has shown that medications can lower the risk of depression, motor vehicle accidents and suicide among adults with ADHD.