Treating Adults With ADHD
If you have ADHD even the most basic tasks can be a challenge. You may find it difficult to get up in the morning, keep deadlines and maintain healthy relationships at work and home.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must experience five or more symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that began before age 12 and interfere with school and work functioning.
The effects of medication
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated most commonly with stimulants. They help increase and balance levels of specific neurotransmitters in the brain that are crucial to the brain's ability to focus, manage impulses, plan ahead and follow through on tasks. They also aid in reducing symptoms that interfere with everyday functioning, including disorganization and difficulty maintaining relationships.
There are many different kinds of stimulant drugs. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the two most common stimulant medications. These drugs can be taken as liquids, patches pills, pills or pills. They can also be combined with psychotherapy. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually prescribed long-acting tablets that release the medication slowly. The tablets are consumed only once a day. These drugs are believed to be more effective than intermediate- or short-acting medications that require patients to take their medication as many as four times a day.
It is important to inform your doctor in the event that you experience any side effects when taking stimulants. Common side effects include an upset stomach, decreased appetite and changes in heart rate and blood pressure. The stimulants can cause symptoms of tics to become more obvious and may cause minor growth delay in adolescents and children.
Some people experience a problem with impulsivity that cannot be controlled by medications for treating adult ADHD, so a doctor might prescribe antidepressants to manage these symptoms. Antidepressants are not specifically approved by the FDA to treat ADHD however studies have shown they can be helpful in many cases.
It is also important to keep in mind that even though medications can improve the ability to plan and organize out daily tasks, they are not a cure for ADHD. People with ADHD have to be diligent in establishing and maintaining healthy relationships, following good sleep habits as well as regularly exercising and including a balanced diet into their lives.
People suffering from ADHD typically have difficulty in their interpersonal relationships because of their unpredictable behavior, ineffective time management and poor organizational skills. Therapy that focuses on issues with relationships or classes that teach conflict resolution and communication skills can aid. Counseling can also be beneficial to couples of all kinds, as it helps them overcome patterns of blame that cause their marriages in a mess or prevent families from working effectively.
Psychotherapy
If you're an adult who suffers from ADHD and you're a child of ADHD, you might find that psychotherapy will assist you in controlling your life and decrease your symptoms. Your therapist will usually provide emotional support, and will help you develop time management skills, organizational skills and problem-solving skills. Psychotherapy can help you deal with family and relationships issues that are commonly related to ADHD.
Talk therapy can generally be carried out via phone or in person. In some cases, it's used in combination with medications to treat mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. It can also be beneficial in treating other problems like coping with chronic pain or an illness that is serious.
One type of psychotherapy is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This involves the identification and modification of negative thoughts that can lead to poor behaviors. Typically, this means looking back at the past experiences and challenges. Your therapist will show you how to break these issues into smaller pieces to discern the negative patterns of thinking that could have influenced these issues.
Dialectical behavior therapy is a different alternative. DBT teaches you a variety of skills that can help you manage your emotions and behaviors. It can teach you mindfulness, which allows your mind to relax and concentrate on the present. It can also teach you to manage your emotions to ensure that they are less likely to trigger impulsive behavior.
Other types of psychotherapy include interpersonal therapy and hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy and interpersonal therapy can help you identify and communicate your feelings in healthy ways. These methods can help you increase your confidence and self-esteem, and also make it easier to cope with anger and frustration.
Lastly, treating adult adhd and family therapy can help address the issues that ADHD can cause in your relationships with your loved ones. It will help you better communicate with your spouse or partner and find effective ways to handle financial issues, anger over unfinished responsibilities, or disagreements over how best to handle impulsive decision-making.
Counseling
The first step in the treatment of adults with ADHD is to ensure that the patient undergoes an extensive physical exam. A doctor will search for underlying conditions that can affect ADHD such as anxiety disorders, depression, mood swings and other psychiatric illnesses. Mood disorders often coexist alongside ADHD and cause more symptoms. Adults who suffer from ADHD must be evaluated for drug and alcohol addiction.
Talk therapy can help those with ADHD learn how to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships. Adults with ADHD are able to receive counseling in various forms, including individual and group therapy sessions, online platforms, and phone-based therapy. Counseling is designed to help people build fundamental skills, such as managing anger and stress as well as regulating their emotions and improving communication.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a well-known form of therapy that teaches strategies for coping for dealing with ADHD. It involves working with an therapy therapist to discover negative thinking patterns that lead to problems such as poor time management and impulsive behavior. CBT can be utilized in conjunction with medications or alone.
Family counseling is usually a part of the treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD. Children and spouses can be frustrated by the challenges of living with someone who has ADHD particularly when it leads to issues with relationships. Couples therapy can teach partners how to communicate more effectively, resolve conflicts and support each other's goals in face of the challenges that ADHD can cause.
Other forms of talk therapy are available, like dialectical behavior therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). MBCT uses meditation training to increase a person's self-awareness and control impulsive behaviors. It also teaches strategies for reducing stress, focusing, and improving executive functioning.
Certain ADHD patients have found that diet modifications and exercise increases can alleviate their symptoms. Exercise can improve mood, increase concentration, and decrease hyperactivity. A diet that is rich in healthy food choices can provide essential nutrients and assist with impulsive behaviors. In addition, sleep hygiene is essential for a healthy night's rest. Regular bedtimes, and a consistent morning routine can reduce hyperactivity and improve concentration, and help improve health.
Coaching
Coaching for adults suffering from ADHD focuses on practical solutions, in contrast to psychotherapy that can assist with emotional issues. A professional coach will teach you how to cut down on distractions, set up a productive workspace and prioritize tasks. They can also help you relax methods that can reduce impulsivity, and improve concentration.
Another issue that adults with ADHD is keeping motivation up to complete goals and tasks, and a coach can assist by providing motivation and structure. They can utilize strategies such as the Pomodoro Technique to help maintain focus and efficiency. They can also provide assistance in the development of healthy eating and exercise habits that can boost energy levels.
Coaching can help people with ADHD develop effective communication skills. They can also help adults with ADHD build and maintain positive relationship by focusing more on their strengths rather than their problems. Coaching can also help people with ADHD gain a better understanding of their own tendencies, behaviors, and how they impact other people.
Many people with ADHD struggle to control their emotions. This can affect their self-esteem, as well the quality of their work and social performance. A coach can instruct methods to reduce stress that increase attention and coping skills such as meditation or mindfulness. This can also help individuals improve their sleep which is often disturbed by anxiety-inducing thoughts and slumbering nights.
A coach can also assist individuals to develop healthy eating habits, which can be an issue for people with ADHD. They can provide advice on how best to purchase groceries, prepare meals and keep healthy snacks in the pantry. This will help you avoid eating foods that are high in sugar, salt, or fat that can trigger ADHD symptoms.
Coaching is a crucial part of treatment for adults with ADHD, and it can be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and medication to assist them in managing their symptoms. It is crucial to research the credentials of a coach before selecting one. A licensed mental health professional could help in recommending someone, or someone who suffers from ADHD can seek out their own coach via forums on the internet or by word of mouth.