Treating Adults With ADHD
If you suffer from ADHD daily tasks can feel like a huge difficulty. You might struggle to get out of bed in the morning, meet deadlines, and maintain healthy personal and professional 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.
Medicines
Adults with ADHD are treated most commonly with stimulants. They help increase and regulate levels of certain neurotransmitters, brain chemicals, which are key to the brain's ability for concentration and manage impulses, plan ahead and follow through on tasks. Stimulants may also reduce symptoms that interfere in everyday functioning, such as disorganization or difficulty maintaining relationships.
There are a myriad of different types of stimulant medicines. The two most common are methylphenidate and amphetamine. Both of these drugs are available as pills, liquids or patches and are taken on their own or in conjunction with psychotherapy. Adults with ADHD are usually prescribed long-acting tablets, which release the medication slowly. The tablets are consumed only once per day. These drugs are believed to be more effective than intermediate- or short-acting medications, which require patients to take their medication as many as four times per day.
When you are taking a stimulant, it is crucial to inform your doctor about any side effects you are experiencing. Common side effects include a bloated stomach, an increase in appetite and changes in heart rate and blood pressure. The stimulants can cause symptoms of tics to become more obvious, and can lead to minor growth delay in children and adolescents.
Antidepressants are often prescribed by a doctor to manage impulsivity-related symptoms in some people who are not treated with medications for adult ADHD. FDA has not approved antidepressants to treat ADHD. However, studies have shown that they are effective in many cases.
It's important to remember that even though medications can help improve your ability to organize and plan daily tasks, they do not solve ADHD. People with ADHD have to work hard to build and maintain healthy relationships, adhere to good sleeping habits, and incorporate a balanced diet as well as exercise into their lives.
People suffering from ADHD often have trouble in their interpersonal relationships because of their erratic behavior, poor time management, and poor organizational skills. Therapy that focuses on relationship issues or classes that teach communication and conflict resolution can be beneficial. Couples can also benefit from counseling, since it helps them break out of patterns of blaming each other which cause marital tensions or prevent families from working effectively.
treating adhd in adults can help you reduce symptoms and take control of your life if you have ADHD as an adult. Your therapist will usually offer emotional support, and will help you develop your time management skills, organizational skills and problem-solving capabilities. Psychotherapy can help you tackle family and relationships issues that are commonly related to ADHD.
Talk therapy can generally be done via phone or in person. In some cases the use of talk therapy is in conjunction with medication to treat mental conditions like anxiety and depression. It can also be helpful in treating other problems like coping with chronic pain or a serious illness.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one form of psychotherapy. It involves identifying negative thoughts and changing them to improve behavior. This usually involves looking at the past challenges and struggles. Your therapist will demonstrate how to break these issues down so that you can discern the negative patterns of thinking that may have led to these issues.
Another alternative is dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). DBT can teach you a variety of skills that can assist you in managing your mood and behavior. It can teach you mindfulness which allows your mind to be calm and focused on the present. It can also help you control your emotions, so that they don't trigger impulse-driven behaviors.
Other forms of psychotherapy include interpersonal therapy and the use of hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy and interpersonal therapy can help you identify and communicate your feelings in a healthy manner. These methods can help you increase confidence and self-esteem as well as aiding you in dealing with frustration and anger.
Lastly, marriage and family therapy can address issues that ADHD creates in your relationships with your loved ones. It will help you better communicate with your partner or spouse and discover productive ways to deal with financial issues, anger over neglected responsibilities, and disagreements about how to manage the impulsive decisions.
Counseling
The first step in treatment of adults suffering from ADHD is to ensure that a patient has an exhaustive physical examination. A doctor will examine for underlying illnesses that may cause ADHD. These include anxiety disorders, depression and mood swings. Mood disorders are often present alongside ADHD and cause more symptoms. Adults with ADHD should also be screened for alcohol and drug addiction.
Talk therapy can be utilized to help those suffering from ADHD manage their symptoms and improve relationships. Counseling for adults with ADHD is available in a variety of formats, including individual and group sessions for therapy online, counseling platforms for online and telephone-based therapy. The goal of counseling is to help individuals build essential skills, including managing anger and stress as well as regulating emotions, and enhancing communication and problem-solving.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a popular type of talk therapy that teaches strategies for coping to manage ADHD. It involves working with a therapist to identify and alter negative thinking patterns that lead to problems such as insufficient time management and impulsive behaviours. CBT can be utilized on its own or in combination with medication.
Family counseling is a typical aspect of treatment for adults with ADHD. Spouses and children can be frustrated by the challenges of living with someone suffering from ADHD particularly when it leads to relationships problems. Couples therapy can teach partners how to communicate more effectively, solve conflicts and support their goals in the face of the difficulties that ADHD can bring about.
Other forms of talk therapy are also available, like mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). MBCT utilizes meditation to improve a person's self-awareness and control impulsive behaviors. It also teaches strategies to reduce stress, focusing and enhancing executive functioning.
Certain ADHD patients notice that dietary changes and increased exercise can alleviate their symptoms. Exercise can improve mood, improve concentration and reduce hyperactivity. A diet high in healthy foods can supply vital nutrients and aid in the impulsive behavior. In addition, good sleep hygiene is crucial to a good night's sleep. Having a regular bedtime and following a regular wake-up routine can help reduce hyperactivity, improve focus and improve overall health.
Coaching
Coaching for adults with ADHD is focused on practical solutions, not unlike psychotherapy which can assist with emotional issues. A professional coach will teach you how to reduce distractions, create an optimal workspace and prioritize tasks. They can also instruct relaxation techniques that help reduce impulsivity, and improve concentration.
A coach can provide structure and motivation to help those suffering from ADHD keep their motivation. They can employ strategies such as the Pomodoro Technique to help maintain focus and efficiency. They can also offer support in developing healthy dietary and exercise routines that increase energy levels.
Coaching can help adults with ADHD develop effective communication skills. They can also assist them to develop and maintain positive relationships by focusing on strengths instead of issues. Coaching can also help adults with ADHD to better understand their own tendencies, behaviors, and how they impact other people.
Many people with ADHD struggle to control their emotions, which can impact their self-esteem as well as their professional and social performance. A coach can help teach stress-reduction techniques that improve the ability to focus and cope, such as meditation or mindfulness. This can also help individuals improve their sleep, which is often disrupted by racing thoughts and restless nights.
A coach can help people to develop healthier eating habits. This is a common problem for those with ADHD. They can provide advice on how to shop for groceries and prepare meals, as well as how to keep healthy snacks on hand. This will help you avoid eating foods high in sugar, salt or fats that could trigger ADHD symptoms.
Adults with ADHD can benefit from coaching, which is a part of their treatment. It can be paired with psychotherapy and medication to treat symptoms. It is important to investigate the credentials of a coach prior to selecting one. A licensed mental health practitioner can recommend someone, or an individual who suffers from ADHD could find their coach through online forums or word-of mouth.