ADHD Adult Treatment
Medications for ADHD help to boost activity in the brain areas that regulate behavior and attention. Adults are prescribed stimulants from the amphetamines group which includes lisdexamphetamine (marketed under the names Adderall and Concerta), and methylphenidate, sold under the name Ritalin.
Counseling for adults with ADHD typically involves cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps clients recognize and change unhelpful thought patterns.
Medications
Stimulants are the most common treatment for ADHD. These medications aid people in staying focused, decrease impulsive behavior and control their blood pressure. They are available in both short-acting as well as long-acting versions. Patients who use them can choose to take them a few or a few times per day, as needed. Some of the side effects include decreased appetite, insomnia and a rebound which is a brief period that makes you feel depressed or tired after taking the medication. These symptoms are usually mild and go disappear after a few weeks or days.
But stimulant drugs aren't suitable for everyone. They can trigger psychiatric problems in some individuals, such as paranoia or hostility. They can also raise the heart rate and blood pressure. People with Tourette's Syndrome, severe depression or bipolar disorder should not use stimulants. People with a history of addiction to drugs are also at risk for misusing the medication, such as crushing pills and smoking them to get high.
There are several different types of non-stimulant ADHD medication, 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 called norepinephrine, which helps improve focus and reduces the tendency to be impulsive. They can also decrease anxiety and depression.
If you decide to take medication for ADHD the doctor may prescribe a low dose, and gradually increase it over time until you reach your optimal level. This procedure is known as the titration. In these sessions your doctor will be monitoring your body's reaction to the medication, and will also monitor any adverse effects you may experience. Once a stable dose has been reached, you'll need to attend regular clinical monitoring appointments at least once every three months to ensure the medication continues to be effective. These appointments will assist your doctor determine whether the dosage should be adjusted. They may also check if there are any comorbidities, such as heart problems.
Counseling
Counseling is as effective as medication for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychotherapy can help patients manage their symptoms, and improves the way they interact. It could be a combination of individual therapy or group support or cognitive behavior therapy or any other psychotherapeutic method. Psychotherapy can increase motivation to treat ADHD and decrease negative emotions. It can help patients learn their parents ways to improve their relationships. These include problem solving, conflict resolution, and communication skills.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to suffer from comorbid disorders than those without the condition, which is why it's important to treat any other mental health issues that are present. Depression, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorder can all share similar symptoms as ADHD. Treating these underlying disorders can improve the effectiveness of ADHD medications and help manage ADHD symptoms.
In a study that assessed the effectiveness of various types of psychotherapy participants rated mindfulness meditation and stress-reducing techniques as extremely helpful or beneficial. Cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy were also considered to be quite helpful or very helpful. These methods can be incorporated into a complete program of treatment for adults with ADHD.
Therapists can also assist patients with organizational and time management issues. They can help patients develop more efficient routines and strategies for organizing their day-to-day tasks. They can help patients identify and correct thinking mistakes that can cause negative moods, unrealistic expectations, or self-defeating emotions. The goals of cognitive-behavioral therapy is to help patients identify and change negative thinking patterns that are often the primary source of frustration in individuals with ADHD.
Psychotherapy is particularly useful in improving relationships with friends, colleagues, and partners. People who suffer from ADHD tend to forget appointments, miss 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 know how to handle these problems. Classes that improve communication and conflict resolution within families and couples have a profound effect on the lives of ADHD adults.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is a field of behavioral therapy that focuses on shaping the environment to meet an individual's needs. People suffering from ADHD have difficulty staying focused, staying on a task for long periods of time and also paying their bills and dealing with sensory input. The practice of occupational therapy can help with these issues.
Those who have medications used to treat adhd 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 techniques that allow them to manage their impulses and interact with others without having a meltdown or disrupting the conversation.
Executive function skills are a challenge for a lot of adults suffering from ADHD. They have problems with working memory, coordinating skills, shifting attention, setting priorities and self-control. An OT can assist them in developing these skills and develop strategies that improve their daily functioning.
Some people with ADHD have sensory processing problems, which could cause them to become overwhelmed or overwhelmed by auditory, visual, tactile, and gustatory stimuli. This type of ADHD can cause people to be sensitive to smells, light sound or touch and even dislike physical contact. An OT can help them learn to deal with these issues and may suggest strategies to manage 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 a way to channel for their energy, it can cause emotional meltdowns and angry outbursts at inconvenient moments such as during reading time at school. An OT can help them learn to channel their energy into more constructive ways, like playing sports or participating in a social group.
Children with ADHD can have trouble in traditional schools due to the fact that they're not designed to accommodate neurodivergent children, which makes it difficult to follow directions or sit still in class. An OT can help the teacher of a child make adjustments to better support the child, such as setting up a weekly calendar and providing alternatives to seating.
Individual Therapy
The symptoms of adult ADHD can have significant effects on a person's life and relationships. Therapy can help ADHD sufferers cope with the symptoms and improve their quality of life by addressing the behavioral and emotional issues associated with this disorder. Sometimes, comorbid disorders such as depression or substance misuse are also treated through psychotherapy.
Cognitive psychotherapy helps patients develop new strategies for managing their symptoms. These include mindfulness meditation and regulation of emotions. It can also help patients identify and change thinking errors that cause negative emotions, and hinder their ability to solve problems. The goal of psychotherapy is to reduce the effects of the symptoms of ADHD while enhancing pre-existing abilities to cope.
Behavioral therapy is a form of individual counseling that helps people with ADHD learn to organize their homes and workplaces. It also addresses specific problems that are difficult to deal with, such as the tendency to forget or insanity. It can also promote positive reinforcement, such as rewards for good behavior, and consequences for bad behavior. It is also a way to instruct family members on methods to aid in managing symptoms like timers for medication or reminders, prompting, and reminders for chores or appointments and reducing distractions when doing household tasks.
Additionally, those with ADHD may benefit from dietary modifications. It is recommended to eat regular meals and snacks not more than three hours apart, avoid drinking sugary drinks and eat more complex carbohydrates and protein to help maintain a steady amount of energy throughout the day. It is crucial to ensure that they have regular mealtimes, and get enough sleep.
Finally, individuals who suffer from ADHD are often having difficulty in forming and maintaining relationships. Individual therapy can help individuals deal with these problems and teach them how to communicate more efficiently. It can also address deeper issues like feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, or frequent job changes.
While medications are the most effective way to treat ADHD symptoms, they do cause adverse reactions for certain people. Combining them with other treatments can result in longer-lasting benefits. Studies have shown that medication can reduce rates of depression as well as motor vehicle accidents and suicide among adults with ADHD.