Treating Adults With ADHD
If you have ADHD even the most simple tasks can be a challenge. It might be difficult to rise in the morning, meet deadlines and maintain healthy relationships at work and home.
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
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with stimulants. These drugs balance and boost the levels of neurotransmitters that are present in the brain, which are crucial for the brain's ability to regulate impulses, plan and follow through with tasks, and concentrate. Stimulants can also help reduce symptoms that interfere with everyday functioning, such as problems with organization and maintaining relationships.
There are a myriad of types of stimulant medication. The two most common are amphetamine and methylphenidate. These drugs are available as patches, liquids or pills. They can also be used in conjunction with psychotherapy. Adults suffering from ADHD are typically prescribed long-acting tablets, which release the medication slowly. These tablets are taken only once per daily. They are believed to be more effective than intermediate- or short-acting drugs which require patients to take their medication up to four times a day.
When taking a stimulant it is crucial to inform your doctor about any adverse effects you're experiencing. Common side effects include upset stomach, decreased appetite and changes in heart rate and blood pressure. The stimulants can also cause tics to become more obvious and cause minor growth delays for teenagers and children.
There are people who have issues with impulsivity that cannot be controlled by medication for treating adult ADHD and a doctor might prescribe antidepressants to manage these symptoms. Antidepressants are not specifically approved by the FDA for treating ADHD, but studies show they can be helpful in a variety of cases.
It is important to remember that even though medications can help improve your ability to plan and organize daily tasks, they don't solve ADHD. People who suffer from ADHD must still be diligent in establishing and maintaining healthy relationships, following healthy sleeping habits as well as regularly exercising and including a balanced diet into their lives.
add in adults treatment suffering from ADHD typically have difficulty in their relationships due to their unpredictable behavior, poor time management, and poor ability to organize their lives. Therapy that focuses on issues with relationships or classes that teach the art of conflict resolution and communication can be beneficial. Many couples also benefit from counseling, since it helps them break out of patterns of blaming each other which cause marital tensions or hinder families from working well together.
Psychotherapy
If you're an adult suffering from ADHD and you're a child of ADHD, you might find that psychotherapy will help you get control of your life and reduce the symptoms. The therapist you choose to work with will typically provide emotional support, and help you develop time management skills, organizational capabilities and problem-solving capabilities. Psychotherapy can help you deal with family and relationships problems that are typically associated with ADHD.
Generally, 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 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.
One form of psychotherapy is cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). This involves changing negative thoughts that can lead to poor behavior. This typically involves looking back at past struggles and challenges. Your therapist will instruct you how to dissect these experiences so that you can identify and reframe the negative thinking patterns that may contribute to them.
Another alternative is dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). DBT teaches a variety techniques that help you manage your mood and behavior. It can help you practice mindfulness, which enables you to focus on the present moment and quiet your mind. It can also teach you to manage your emotions to ensure that they are less likely to trigger impulsive behavior.
Other forms of psychotherapy include interpersonal therapy and hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy and interpersonal therapy can help you understand and express your emotions in a healthy manner. These techniques can boost confidence and self-esteem, and make it easier for you to handle anger and frustration.
Family therapy and marriage can help you deal with the problems that ADHD causes in your relationships. It can help you communicate better with your spouse or partner and find effective ways to handle money problems, resentment about unfinished responsibilities, or disagreements regarding how to deal with an impulsive way of making decisions.
Counseling
The first step in the treatment of adults with ADHD is to ensure that the patient undergoes an extensive physical exam. A doctor will examine for underlying conditions which can affect ADHD. These include anxiety, depression and mood swings. Mood disorders often co-exist with ADHD and can cause more symptoms. Adults suffering from ADHD should also be evaluated 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, such as individual and group sessions for therapy online, counseling platforms for online and telephone-based therapy. Counseling is designed to help people develop essential skills such as managing stress and anger, regulating their emotions, and improving their communication.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of talk therapy that provides coping strategies for ADHD. It involves working with a psychotherapist to pinpoint negative thought processes that can lead to issues such as poor time management and an impulsive behavior. CBT can be used by itself or in combination with medication.
Family counseling is a common aspect of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Children and spouses can be frustrated by the challenges of living with someone with ADHD particularly when it leads to issues with relationships. Couples therapy can teach partners how to communicate more effectively as well as resolve conflicts and help each other's goals in face of the difficulties that ADHD can create.
Other types of talk therapy are also available, including dialectical behavior therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). MBCT utilizes mindfulness training to improve the self-awareness of a patient and manage impulsive behavior. It also teaches strategies for reducing stress, focusing and improving executive functioning.
Some patients with ADHD find that making dietary changes and getting more exercise help to reduce their symptoms. Exercise can boost mood, improve concentration, and decrease hyperactivity. A diet that is rich in healthy foods can help to curb impulses and provide essential nutrients. Sleep hygiene is also important to ensure a restful sleep. Making sure you have a regular bedtime, and a consistent wake-up routine can reduce anxiety, improve focus and promote better overall health.
Coaching
Coaching for adults suffering from ADHD is focused on practical solutions, unlike psychotherapy that can assist with emotional issues. A professional coach will show you how to minimize distractions, set up a productive workspace and prioritize tasks. They can also instruct relaxation techniques that can reduce impulsivity and improve focus.
Another issue that adults with ADHD is sustaining motivation to accomplish goals and tasks A coach can assist by providing motivation and structure. They may use strategies such as the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working in short bursts, with breaks to help people keep their focus and work. They can also assist people to develop healthy eating and exercise habits to boost their energy levels.
It can be difficult to establish relationships for people with ADHD, and coaching can help with this by teaching them to improve their communication skills. They can also assist them to create and maintain positive relationships by focusing on their strengths rather than issues. In addition coaching can help people with ADHD to understand their own habits and behavior and how they affect others.
Many adults with ADHD have difficulty controlling their emotions. This can impact their self-esteem, aswell as their career and social performance. A coach can instruct strategies to reduce stress that improve attention and coping abilities, such as mindfulness and meditation. This can improve sleep, which can be interrupted by racing thoughts and sleepless nights.
A coach can also assist individuals develop healthy eating habits, which can be problematic for those who suffer from ADHD. They can offer guidance on how to purchase groceries and prepare meals, and how to store healthy snacks on hand. This can help avoid over-indulging in foods that are high in fat, sugar, or salt, which could trigger ADHD symptoms.
Coaching is an essential element of treatment for adults with ADHD and can be paired with psychotherapy and medication to aid in managing their symptoms. To locate a coach who is a good fit for you, it is important to research their credentials thoroughly. A licensed mental health professional may be helpful in recommending someone, or a person who suffers from ADHD can seek out their own coach through online forums or through word of mouth.