Treating Adults With ADHD
If you have ADHD even the most basic tasks can be difficult. It can be difficult to get up 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.
Medications
Stimulants are the most popular medications for treating adults with ADHD. These drugs help boost and regulate levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that are crucial to the brain's ability for concentration and manage impulses, plan ahead and keep on track with tasks. They can also ease symptoms that interfere in everyday functioning, such as disorganization and difficulty maintaining relationships.
There are a variety of stimulant medications. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are two most commonly used stimulant medications. These drugs are both available as liquids, pills or patches and can be taken on their own or in conjunction with psychotherapy. Medications for treating adults with ADHD are typically prescribed as extended-release, long-acting tablets, which are taken once a day. These drugs are thought to be more effective than shorter- and intermediate-acting varieties, which require people to take their medication three or four times a day, and may cause frequent "crash" periods.
When taking a stimulant it is essential to inform your doctor about any side effects you are experiencing. Common side effects include a bloated stomach and an increase in appetite, and changes in blood pressure and heart rate. The stimulants can also make tics more noticeable and can cause minor growth delays in teenagers and children.
Certain people have a problem with impulsivity that cannot be controlled by medications for treating adult ADHD, so a doctor may prescribe antidepressants in order to treat these symptoms. Antidepressants have not been specifically approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, but studies show they can be helpful in a variety of cases.
It's also important to understand that, despite the fact that medications can help you plan, organize, and carry out daily tasks, they are not a cure for ADHD. People who suffer from ADHD have to work hard to establish and maintain healthy relationships, adopt good sleeping habits and incorporate a balanced diet and exercise into their lives.
People with ADHD frequently have issues with their relationships due to their unpredictable behavior, ineffective time management and poor ability to organize their lives. Classes that teach the art of conflict resolution or communication or therapy that focuses on relationships issues, can be beneficial. Couples can also benefit from counseling, as it helps them break out of patterns of blame and blame that maintain marital problems or prevent families from working well together.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can help you manage symptoms and gain control of your life if you suffer from ADHD as an adult. Typically your therapist will offer emotional support and help you develop skills to improve your time management, organizational skills, problem-solving ability and impulsive behavior. Psychotherapy can also assist you in dealing with family and relationship issues that are often encountered when you suffer from ADHD.
Talk therapy can be done via phone or in person. In some cases, it's used in combination with medications to treat mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. It can also be beneficial in addressing other issues such as dealing with chronic pain or an illness that is serious.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one type of psychotherapy. It involves identifying negative thoughts and changing them to improve behavior. Typically, this involves examining the past and examining any difficulties or struggles. Your therapist will show you how to unravel these issues so that you can identify and reframe the negative thoughts patterns that could be a contributing factor to them.
Dialectical behavior therapy is a different alternative. DBT teaches a variety skills that can help you manage your emotions and behavior. It can help you develop mindfulness, which helps your mind relax and concentrate on the present moment. It can also teach you to control your emotions so that they are less likely to trigger impulsive behavior.
Other forms of psychotherapy include interpersonal therapy as well as the use of hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy and interpersonal therapy can help you understand and express your emotions in a healthy manner. These methods can help you increase confidence and self-esteem and also make it easier to cope with frustration and anger.
Therapy for families and marriage can also help you solve the issues that ADHD causes in your relationships. It can help you communicate better with your partner or spouse and identify effective ways to handle money problems, resentment about neglected responsibilities, and disagreements over how best to handle impulsive decision-making.
Counseling
The first step in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD is to make sure that a patient has an exhaustive physical examination. A doctor will examine for underlying conditions which can influence ADHD. These include anxiety disorders, depression and mood swings. Mood disorders often co-exist with ADHD and can cause more symptoms. clinical treatment for adhd suffering from ADHD must also be examined for alcohol and drug addiction.
Talk therapy can help people with ADHD learn how to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships. Adults with ADHD can seek counseling in many ways, such as individual and group therapy sessions, online platforms, and phone-based therapy. The goal of counseling is to help individuals develop the necessary abilities, like managing stress and anger, regulating emotions and improving communication and problem-solving.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common type of talk therapy that teaches coping techniques to deal with ADHD. It involves working with a therapist to identify and alter negative thought patterns that contribute to problems such as insufficient time management and impulsive behaviors. CBT can be used alone or in conjunction with medication.
Family counseling is often a component of the treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Children and spouses can be irritated by the difficulties of living with someone who has ADHD, particularly when it leads to relationship problems. Couples therapy can help partners learn how to communicate more effectively, resolve conflicts and support their goals in the face of the difficulties that ADHD can cause.
Other types of talk therapy are also available, including dialectical behavior therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). MBCT employs mindfulness-based training to increase a patient's self awareness and manage impulsive behavior. It also teaches strategies for reducing stress, focusing and improving executive functioning.
Some ADHD patients notice that dietary changes and exercise may alleviate their symptoms. Exercise can improve concentration, improve mood, and decrease hyperactivity. A diet high in healthy food choices can provide essential nutrients and assist with the impulsive behavior. In addition, sleep hygiene is essential for a healthy night's rest. A regular bedtime and following a consistent wake-up routine can reduce anxiety, improve concentration and overall health.
Coaching
Contrary to psychotherapy, which is able to assist people in overcoming emotional issues coaching for adults suffering from ADHD is focused on practical solutions. 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 help reduce impulsivity and improve focus.
Another challenge for adults with ADHD is maintaining motivation to finish tasks and goals and a coach can help by providing encouragement and discipline. They can utilize strategies such as the Pomodoro Technique to help maintain focus and productivity. They can also assist in establishing healthy eating and exercise habits that can increase energy levels.
Relations can be challenging for adults with ADHD and coaching can help with this by teaching them to develop effective communication skills. They can also assist adults with ADHD build and maintain positive relationship by focusing more on their strengths rather than their difficulties. Coaching can also help adults with ADHD to better understand 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 as their career and social performance. A coach can help teach strategies to reduce stress that improve attention and coping abilities including mindfulness and meditation. This can improve sleep, which is often disrupted by racing thought and sleepless nights.
A coach can assist people establish healthier eating habits. This is a common issue for people with ADHD. They can provide tips on how to buy groceries and cook meals, as well as how to keep healthful snacks in the pantry. This will help you avoid overindulging in foods that contain high levels of sugar, fat or salt, which can cause ADHD symptoms.
Coaching is a crucial part of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and can be paired with psychotherapy and medication to help them manage their symptoms. To find a coach who is a good fit for you, it is important to investigate their credentials thoroughly. A licensed mental health professional could assist in recommending someone. Alternatively, someone who suffers from ADHD can seek out their own coach on forums on the internet or by word of mouth.