ADHD Adult Treatment
The medications used to treat ADHD increase brain activity in the 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 brand name Ritalin.
Counseling for adults with ADHD typically involves cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps clients to recognize and alter unhelpful thinking patterns.
Medicines
The most common medication for ADHD is stimulants. These medications help people stay focused, reduce the risk of impulsive behavior and manage their blood pressure. These drugs are available in short-acting and long-acting formulations. They can be taken once every day or more often when needed. Some of the adverse effects include decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping and a rebound which is a brief moment that makes you feel depressed or tired following the use of the drug. These symptoms are usually mild and go off after a couple of weeks or days.
But stimulant medications aren’t for everyone. Some people may experience psychiatric issues, such as hostility or paranoia. They can also increase blood pressure and heart rates. People with bipolar disorder, severe depression or Tourette's syndrome should not take stimulants. People with a substance abuse history are also at a higher risk of misuse of the medication. For instance they might crush pills and then snort them to achieve a high.
There are a variety 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 norepinephrine in the brain, which improves concentration and decreases impulsiveness. They also reduce anxiety and depression.
If you decide to take medication for ADHD your doctor may prescribe a low dose and gradually increase it until you reach a maximum level. This process is called 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 after you have reached a steady dosage to ensure that the medication is still working. These appointments help your doctor determine whether the dosage needs to be adjusted. They will also be able to determine whether there are any co-morbidities, such as heart problems.
Counseling
For adults with ADHD, counseling can be as effective as medication for treating symptoms. Psychotherapy helps patients cope with their symptoms and improves how they interact. It could involve individual therapy or group support, cognitive behavioral therapy or other psychotherapeutic methods. Psychotherapy can improve motivation to treat ADHD and reduce negative emotions. It can also teach patients and their loved ones ways to improve relationships, including conflict resolution, problem-solving and communication skills.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to suffer from multiple disorders than people without the condition, so it's important to treat any other mental health issues that may be present. Depression anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and substance use disorders are all conditions that have similar symptoms as ADHD. The treatment of these disorders can enhance the response to ADHD medications and make it easier to control ADHD symptoms.
In a study that evaluated the effectiveness of various types of psychotherapy participants rated mindfulness-based meditation and stress-reducing techniques as extremely helpful or useful. Cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy were considered to be quite useful or very helpful. These methods can be combined to form an entire treatment plan for adults suffering from ADHD.
Therapists can also help patients with time and organizational management issues. They can help patients develop more efficient routines and strategies to organize their daily tasks. They can assist patients to identify and correct thinking distortions which can cause negative moods, unrealistic expectations or self-defeating thoughts. Cognitive-behavioral therapies are designed to help patients overcome their negative thinking patterns, which can cause frustration for people with ADHD.
Psychotherapy is particularly useful in improving relationships with colleagues, friends, and partners. People suffering from ADHD are prone to forgetting appointments, missing deadlines and making impulsive decisions that can stress even the most tolerant spouse or partner. Marriage and family therapy can help couples and families learn how to manage these issues. Classes that improve communication and conflict resolution within families and couples can have a profound effect on the lives of ADHD adults.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is a behavioral treatment that focuses on altering the environment to meet an individual's requirements. People with ADHD struggle to stay organized, focusing on a task over long periods of time and also paying their bills and dealing 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 cases, an OT can assist them in practicing techniques that allow them to control their impulses and work with other people without causing a rift or disrupting the conversation.
Executive function skills are a problem for many adults with ADHD. They have problems with working memory, focusing skills, shifting attention setting priorities, and self-control. An OT can help them build these abilities and develop strategies to improve their daily functioning.
Certain adults with ADHD suffer from sensory processing issues which can cause them to be overwhelmed or overstimulated by visual, auditory, tactile and gustatory stimuli. This type of ADHD can cause people to be sensitive to light, smells, touch or sound and can even be averse to physical contact. An OT can teach them how to manage these challenges, and they may recommend 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 to release this energy, it can cause emotional meltdowns and angry outbursts in unintentional times like during quiet reading time at school. An OT can help them learn to channel their energy into more constructive avenues, like taking part in sports or in a group.
Children with ADHD are often troubled in traditional schools because they're not designed to accommodate children with neurodivergent disorders, making it difficult to follow directions or stay in the classroom. An OT can work with a child's school to make changes that will more effectively support them for ADHD, such as implementing a weekly schedule or providing alternative seating options.
Individual Therapy
The signs of ADHD in adults can have a major impact on the quality of life and relationships. Therapy can help ADHD sufferers cope with the symptoms and improve their lives by addressing the behavioral and emotional issues that come with this disorder. Often times, comorbid conditions like depression or drug abuse are also addressed with psychotherapy.
Cognitive psychotherapy can teach patients new coping strategies to deal with their issues including mindfulness meditation and emotional regulation. treatment for add in adults can also help them identify and overcome thinking distortions which can cause negative emotions and inhibit solving problems. The aim of psychotherapy is to minimize the impact of the symptoms of ADHD while enhancing pre-existing abilities to cope.
Behavioral therapy is a kind of individual counseling that helps people suffering from ADHD learn to organize their home and workplace environments. It can also help with particular issues that are difficult to deal with such as the tendency to forget or impulsiveness. It can also encourage the use of positive reinforcements, such as rewards for good behavior, and consequences for negative behavior. It can also teach family members techniques to manage symptoms, like timers and reminders of chores and appointments.
People with ADHD may also benefit from dietary changes. It is recommended that they consume regular meals and snacks at least 3 hours apart. They should also stay away from sweet drinks and increase their intake of complex carbohydrates and protein to ensure they have a steady supply of energy during the day. It is crucial to ensure that they eat at regular meals, and get enough sleep.
In addition, those who suffer from ADHD are often having difficulty in creating and maintaining relationships. Individual therapy can help people cope with these issues and teach them how to communicate more efficiently. It can also address deeper issues such as feelings of inadequateness, low self-esteem, 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. Research has shown that medication can lower the rate of depression as well as motor vehicle accidents and suicide among people with ADHD.