Treating Adults With ADHD
If you suffer from ADHD, even the simplest tasks can be a challenge. It can be difficult 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
Stimulants are the most common medications for treating adults with ADHD. These drugs help boost and balance levels of specific neurotransmitters, brain chemicals that are crucial to the brain's ability to focus, control impulses, plan ahead and complete tasks. Stimulants can also help reduce symptoms that hinder daily functioning, such as problems with organization and maintaining relationships.
There are a myriad of different types of stimulant medicines. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the two most commonly used stimulant medications. These drugs are available as liquids, patches or pills. They can also be used in conjunction with psychotherapy. Adults with ADHD are typically prescribed long-acting tablets that release the medication slowly. These tablets are taken only once a day. These medications are believed to be more effective than short- and intermediate-acting versions that require patients to take their medication three or four times per day, and may cause frequent "crash" periods.
It is essential to inform your doctor in the event that you experience any side effects while taking stimulants. The side effects could include nausea, a decrease in appetite, and changes in blood pressure and heart rate. Stimulants may also make tics more apparent and cause minor growth delays for teenagers and children.
Certain people have a problem with impulsivity, which isn't controlled by medications to treat adult ADHD, so a doctor might prescribe antidepressants to manage these symptoms. FDA has not approved antidepressants to treat ADHD. However, studies have shown that they are effective in a number of instances.
It is important to remember, too, that while medication can improve your ability to plan and organize your daily tasks, they don't solve ADHD. People who suffer from ADHD need to continue to work to establish and maintain healthy relationships, adopt good sleeping habits, and include a balanced diet and exercise into their lives.
People with ADHD frequently have issues with their relationships with others due to their unpredictable behavior, ineffective time management, and poor ability to organize their lives. Classes that teach communication or conflict resolution or therapy that focuses on relationships issues, can be beneficial. Many couples also benefit from counseling because it helps them break out of patterns of blame and blame that maintain marital problems or prevent families from working together effectively.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can help you manage symptoms and take control of your life if you suffer from ADHD as an adult. The therapist you choose to work with will typically provide emotional support, and will help you develop time management skills, organizational capabilities and problem-solving abilities. Psychotherapy can also help you cope with relationship and family issues that are often encountered when dealing with ADHD.
Generally speaking, talk therapy can be done in person or via phone. In some instances, talk therapy is used alongside medications to treat mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. It can also be beneficial in the treatment of other issues like coping with chronic pain or a serious illness.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one form of psychotherapy. It involves finding negative thoughts and changing them to improve behavior. This usually involves looking at past struggles and challenges. Your therapist will show you how to break these issues down so that you can discern the negative patterns of thinking that could have influenced these issues.
Another alternative is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). DBT can teach you a variety of skills that will help you manage your emotions and behavior. It can help you develop mindfulness, which allows your mind to be calm and focused on the present. It will also help you manage your emotions, so they don't trigger impulse-driven behaviors.
Other types of psychotherapy are interpersonal therapy and hypnotherapy. Interpersonal therapy can help you develop the ability to recognize and express your feelings in healthy ways and hypnotherapy may help you relax and feel calm during stressful situations. These methods can help you increase confidence and self-esteem as well as make it easier to cope with frustration and anger.
Therapy for families and marriage can help you solve the issues that ADHD can cause in your relationships. It can aid you and your spouse or partner communicate better and find productive ways to manage money issues as well as resentment at the lack of responsibilities and conflicts over how to handle impulsive choices.
Counseling
The first step in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD is to ensure that the patient undergoes an extensive physical examination. A doctor will look for underlying conditions that can cause ADHD such as depression, anxiety disorders mood swings, and other psychiatric illnesses. Mood disorders are often associated with ADHD and can exacerbate symptoms. Adults with ADHD should also be screened for alcohol and drug addiction.
Talk therapy can be utilized to help people with ADHD manage their symptoms and improve their relationships. Counseling for adults with ADHD is available in a variety of formats, such as group and individual therapy sessions as well as online counseling platforms and telephone-based therapy. The purpose of counseling is to help individuals develop essential skills, such as managing stress and anger controlling emotions, as well as improving communication and problem-solving.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of talk therapy which provides coping strategies for ADHD. It involves working with a therapist in order to identify and modify negative thought processes that lead to issues like insufficient time management and impulsive behavior. CBT can be utilized in conjunction with medications or alone.
Family counseling is a standard part of the treatment of adults with ADHD. Spouses and children can be frustrated by the challenges of living with someone who has ADHD, particularly when it causes relationships problems. Couples therapy can help partners learn how to communicate better as well as resolve conflicts and help each other's goals in face of the challenges that ADHD can bring about.
There are other forms of talk therapy, including mindfulness-based cognitive treatment (MBCT) and dialectical behavior therapy. MBCT utilizes meditation to improve a person's self-awareness and manage impulsive behavior. It also teaches strategies to reduce stress, focusing and improving executive functioning.
Certain patients suffering from ADHD discover that making changes to their diet and incorporating more exercise can reduce their symptoms. Exercise can help improve concentration, improve mood, and decrease hyperactivity. A diet high in healthy foods can provide vital nutrients and aid in the impulsive behavior. In addition, good sleep hygiene is critical for a good night's rest. Making sure you have a regular bedtime, and following a consistent wake up routine can help reduce anxiety, improve concentration and 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 will show you how to minimize distractions, design a perfect workspace and prioritize tasks. They can also instruct relaxation techniques that help reduce impulsivity and improve focus.
Another challenge for adults with ADHD is maintaining motivation to finish tasks and goals and a coach can assist by providing motivation and structure. They can employ strategies such as the Pomodoro Technique to help maintain focus and productivity. They can also help people develop healthy eating and exercise habits to boost energy levels.
Coaching can help adults with ADHD improve their communication skills. They can also help them build and maintain positive relationships by focusing on strengths rather than issues. Coaching can also help treatment for adhd in adults with ADHD gain a better understanding of their own behaviors, tendencies and how they affect others.
Many adults suffering from ADHD have difficulty controlling their emotions. This can affect their self-esteem as well as their career and social performance. A coach can teach stress-reduction techniques that improve concentration and coping skills like mindfulness or meditation. This can also help individuals improve their sleep which is often disturbed by a flurry of thoughts and sleepless nights.
A coach can help individuals to develop healthier eating habits. This is a common problem for people suffering from ADHD. They can offer advice on how best to shop for groceries, prepare meals and keep healthy snacks in the pantry. This will help avoid eating foods high in sugar, salt or fats that could trigger ADHD symptoms.
Coaching is an important component of treatment for adults with ADHD and can be combined with medication and psychotherapy to help them manage their symptoms. It is crucial to research the credentials of a coach prior to selecting one. A licensed mental health professional can recommend someone to you, or an individual who suffers from ADHD may find their own coach through online forums or word-of mouth.