Treating Adults With ADHD
If you have ADHD, even the simplest tasks can be a challenge. It can be difficult to get up in the morning, meet deadlines, and maintain healthy professional and personal relationships.
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.
Medications
Stimulants are among the most commonly used treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs help boost and regulate levels of certain neurotransmitters, brain chemicals, which are key to the brain's ability for concentration and control impulses, plan ahead, and follow through on tasks. They also aid in reducing symptoms that hinder daily functioning, such as problems with organization and maintaining relationships.
There are a variety of stimulant drugs. The two most popular are methylphenidate and amphetamine. adhd treatment for adults of these drugs are available in liquids, pills or patches and can be taken on their own or in conjunction with psychotherapy. Adults suffering from ADHD are typically prescribed long-acting tablets that release the medication slowly. The tablets are consumed only once a daily. These medications are believed to be more effective than short- and intermediate-acting versions, which require people to take their medication three or four times a day and can result in frequent "crash" periods.
When taking a stimulant it is crucial to inform your doctor about any side effects you're experiencing. Common side effects include an upset stomach as well as decreased appetite, and changes in blood pressure and heart rate. Stimulants may also cause tics to become more obvious and may cause minor delays in growth in teenagers and children.
There are adhd treatment for adults who have issues with impulsivity, which isn't controlled by medication for treating adult ADHD, so a doctor might prescribe antidepressants to manage these symptoms. Antidepressants are not specifically approved by the FDA for treating ADHD however studies have shown they can be beneficial in many instances.
It's important to keep in mind that even though medications can aid in improving your ability to plan and organize daily tasks, they don't solve ADHD. People with ADHD still need to work hard at establishing and maintaining healthy relationships, implementing good sleeping habits, exercising regularly, and making sure they have a balanced diet in their lives.
People with ADHD often have trouble in their interpersonal relationships because of their unpredictable behavior, poor time management and ineffective organizational skills. Classes that teach conflict resolution or communication skills, or therapy that focuses on relationship issues, can be helpful. Counseling is also beneficial for many couples because it assists them to break patterns of blame that cause their marriages in turmoil or hinder families from working effectively.
Psychotherapy
If you're an adult who suffers from ADHD You may find that psychotherapy will help you get control of your life and decrease the symptoms. Typically your therapist will offer emotional support and help you build skills to improve your time management, organizational skills, problem-solving ability and the impulsive behavior. Psychotherapy can also help you deal with relationship and family problems that can arise when dealing with ADHD.
Generally speaking, talk therapy can be done in person or over the phone. In some cases the use of talk therapy is in conjunction with medications to treat mental disorders like anxiety and depression. It can also be used to treat other issues like chronic pain or serious illnesses.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one form of psychotherapy. It involves the identification of negative thoughts and changing them to improve behavior. This typically involves looking back at past struggles and challenges. Your therapist will teach you how to break these experiences into pieces so that you can discern the negative patterns of thinking that may have led to these issues.
Another alternative is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). DBT can teach a variety of skills that can help you manage your mood and behavior. It can teach you to practice mindfulness, which helps you to focus on the present moment and calm your mind. It can also help you to manage your emotions to ensure that they are less likely to trigger impulse-driven behavior.
Other forms of psychotherapy include interpersonal therapy and hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy and interpersonal therapy can help you identify and express your emotions in a healthy manner. These techniques can help build your self-esteem and confidence, and help you to manage anger and frustration.
Additionally, family and marriage therapy can address problems that ADHD causes in your relationships with loved ones. It can help you communicate better with your spouse or partner and find effective ways to handle financial issues, anger over forgotten responsibilities, and conflicts regarding how to deal with impulsive decision-making.
Counseling
A thorough physical exam is the first step in treating adults with ADHD. A doctor will search for any underlying issues that could influence ADHD and include depression, anxiety disorders, mood swings and other psychiatric illnesses. Mood disorders can often co-exist alongside ADHD and cause more symptoms. Adults with ADHD should also be screened for alcohol and drug addiction.
Talk therapy can help those with ADHD learn to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships. Adults suffering from ADHD can seek counseling in various forms, including individual and group therapy sessions on platforms online, as well as phone-based therapy. The goal of counseling is to help people develop the necessary skills, including managing stress and anger, regulating emotions and improving communication and problem-solving.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common form of therapy that teaches coping strategies to manage ADHD. It involves working with a therapist to identify and alter negative thinking patterns that lead to issues such as insufficient time management and impulsive behaviors. CBT can be utilized in conjunction with medications or by itself.
Family counseling is often a component of the treatment for adults with ADHD. Children and couples may be irritated by the challenges of living with someone with ADHD particularly when it causes relationship problems. Couples therapy can help partners learn how to communicate more effectively as well as resolve conflicts and help their goals in the face of the challenges that ADHD can create.
Other types of therapy for talk are also available, such as dialectical behavior therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). MBCT employs mindfulness-based training to increase the patient's self-awareness and control impulsive behavior. It also teaches strategies to reduce stress, focusing, and improving executive functioning.
Some ADHD patients notice that dietary changes and exercise may help reduce symptoms. Exercise can boost mood, improve concentration and reduce hyperactivity. A diet rich in healthy foods can supply essential nutrients and assist with the impulsive behavior. In addition, sleep hygiene is crucial to a good night's sleep. A regular bedtime and following a regular wake-up routine can help reduce anxiety, improve focus and improve overall health.
Coaching
In contrast to psychotherapy, which can assist people in overcoming emotional issues coaching for adults with ADHD is focused on practical solutions. A professional coach can instruct strategies to reduce distractions, establishing a productive workspace and prioritizing tasks. They can also help you relax techniques that help reduce impulsivity, and improve concentration.
Another issue for people with ADHD is sustaining motivation to complete goals and tasks A coach can assist by providing motivation and the structure. They can use strategies such as the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working in short bursts and taking breaks to help people keep their focus and work. They can also offer support in establishing healthy eating and exercise habits that can boost energy levels.
Coaching can help adults suffering from ADHD improve their communication skills. They can also help them create and keep positive relationships by focusing on their strengths rather than issues. Coaching can also help adults with ADHD gain a better understanding of their own habits, tendencies and how they affect others.
Many people with ADHD struggle to control their emotions. This can impact their self-esteem as well the quality of their work and social performance. A coach can instruct stress reduction techniques that can increase attention and coping skills, such as mindfulness and meditation. This can also help individuals improve their sleep which is often interrupted by a flurry of thoughts and sleepless nights.
A coach can assist people establish healthier eating habits. This is a common problem for those with ADHD. They can offer suggestions on how to buy groceries, cook meals, and keep healthy snacks on hand. This can help to avoid eating foods that are high in salt, sugar or fats that could trigger ADHD symptoms.
Coaching is an important component of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD, and it can be combined with psychotherapy and medication to help them manage their symptoms. It is important to research the credentials of a coach prior to choosing one. A licensed mental health practitioner can recommend someone, or an individual who suffers from ADHD may find their own coach via online forums or word-of-mouth.