Treating Adults With ADHD
If you have ADHD, even the simplest tasks can be a challenge. You may struggle to get up in the morning, meet deadlines, and maintain a 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.
The effects of medication
Adults with ADHD are treated most commonly by stimulants. These drugs help boost and balance levels of specific neurotransmitters in the brain that are crucial to the brain's ability to focus, control impulses, plan ahead and follow through on tasks. Stimulants can also help reduce symptoms that hinder daily functioning, including problems with organization and maintaining relationships.
There are a myriad of different types of stimulant medications. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the two most common stimulant medications. These medications can be taken in the form of patches, liquids or pills. They can also be combined with psychotherapy. Adults suffering from ADHD are typically prescribed long-acting tablets that release the medication slowly. These tablets are taken only once a day. They are believed to be more effective than the short- and intermediate-acting ones that require patients to take their medication three or four times per day, and may cause frequent "crash" periods.
When taking a stimulant, it is important to tell your doctor about any side effects you're experiencing. These can include nausea, decreased appetite, changes in blood pressure and heart rate. The stimulants can also make tics more noticeable and can cause minor growth delays for teenagers and children.
There are people who have issues with impulsivity, which isn't controlled by medications for treating adult ADHD, so a doctor might prescribe antidepressants to manage these symptoms. treat adhd in adults has not endorsed antidepressants for treating ADHD. However studies have proven that they can be effective in a variety of cases.
It's also important to remember that, despite the fact that medications may improve the ability to plan and plan out everyday tasks, they are not a cure for ADHD. People who suffer from ADHD need to continue to work to build and maintain healthy relationships, practice good sleep habits and incorporate a balanced diet and exercise into their lives.
People suffering from ADHD frequently have issues with their interpersonal relationships because of their unpredictable behavior, poor time management and poor organization skills. Therapy that focuses on issues with relationships or classes that teach conflict resolution and communication skills can be beneficial. A lot of couples benefit from counseling, as it can help them overcome patterns of blame and blame which cause marital tensions or hinder families from working well together.
Psychotherapy
If you're an adult suffering from ADHD, you may find that psychotherapy can assist you in controlling your life and lessen the symptoms. Typically, your therapist will provide emotional support and help build skills to improve your time management, organizational skills, problem-solving ability and the impulsive behavior. Psychotherapy can also assist you in dealing with family and relationship issues that often arise when dealing with ADHD.
Talk therapy is usually carried out over the phone or in person. In certain instances the use of talk therapy is alongside medications to treat mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. It may also be helpful in the treatment of other issues, such as coping with chronic pain or an illness that is serious.
One type of psychotherapy is cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). It involves the identification of negative thoughts and changing them to improve behavior. Typically, this involves looking back at past struggles and difficulties. Your therapist will show you how to dissect these issues to recognize and modify the negative patterns of thinking that can contribute to them.
Dialectical behavior therapy is another option. DBT provides a range of techniques that help you manage your mood and behavior. It can teach you mindfulness, which helps your mind relax and concentrate on the present. It will also help you manage your emotions, so that they don't trigger impulse-driven behaviors.
Other types of psychotherapy include the hypnotherapy and interpersonal therapy. Hypnotherapy and interpersonal therapy can help you recognize and let your emotions out in healthy ways. These techniques can boost your self-esteem and confidence, and allow you to manage anger and frustration.
Additionally, family and marriage therapy can address issues that ADHD creates in your relationships with your loved ones. It can help you and your spouse or partner communicate better and find productive ways to manage money issues and resentment about responsibilities that have been forgotten and conflicts about how to deal with impulsive decisions.
Counseling
The first step in the treatment of adults with ADHD is to make sure that a patient has an exhaustive physical exam. A doctor will look for underlying conditions which can affect ADHD. These include depression, anxiety disorders and mood swings. Mood disorders can often co-exist with ADHD and exacerbate symptoms. Adults suffering from ADHD should also be screened for alcohol and drugs addiction.
Talk therapy is a great tool to help people with ADHD manage their symptoms and improve their relationships. Adults suffering from ADHD are able to receive counseling in various forms, including individual and group therapy sessions, online platforms, and phone-based therapy. Counseling is designed to help people improve their important skills like managing stress and anger as well as regulating their emotions and improving their communication.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of talk therapy that teaches coping skills for ADHD. It involves working with an therapist to identify negative thought patterns that lead to problems like poor time management and an impulsive behavior. CBT can be utilized on its own or in combination with medication.
Family counseling is a standard part of the treatment of people suffering from ADHD. Parents and spouses may be frustrated by the challenges of living with someone suffering from ADHD, particularly when it causes issues with relationships. Couples therapy can help couples learn to communicate better, resolve conflicts and support one another's goals when ADHD is present.
Other types of therapy for talk are also available, like mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). MBCT uses mindfulness training to increase the patient's self-awareness and control impulsive behavior. It also teaches strategies for reducing stress, focusing and enhancing executive functioning.
Some people with ADHD find that making modifications to their diet and doing more exercise can help reduce the symptoms. Exercise can improve concentration, improve mood and reduce hyperactivity. A diet that is rich in nutritious foods can assist to reduce impulsive behavior and provide essential nutrients. Sleep hygiene is also important to ensure a restful sleep. Regular bedtimes and a consistent morning routine can reduce the amount of hyperactivity and increase concentration, and promote better health.
Coaching
Unlike psychotherapy, which can aid people in dealing with emotional issues, coaching for adults with ADHD is focused on practical solutions. A professional coach can teach strategies for minimizing distractions, designing a perfect workspace, and prioritizing tasks. They can also instruct relaxation techniques that can reduce impulsivity and increase concentration.
Another issue for people with ADHD is maintaining motivation to complete goals and tasks and a coach can assist by providing motivation and discipline. They can employ strategies such as the Pomodoro Technique to help maintain focus and productivity. They can also assist people to develop healthy eating habits and exercise routines to boost their energy levels.
Coaching can help people with ADHD develop effective communication skills. They can also help adults who suffer from ADHD maintain a positive relationship by focusing more on their strengths and not so much issues. Coaching can also assist adults with ADHD better understand their own behaviors, tendencies and how they affect others.
Many people with ADHD have trouble 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 the ability to focus and cope such as mindfulness or meditation. This can improve sleep, which is often disturbed by racing thoughts and a sleepless night.
A coach can also help individuals to develop healthier eating habits, which can be a problem for those who suffer from ADHD. They can offer advice on how to shop for groceries and prepare meals, as well as how to keep healthful snacks in the pantry. This will help you avoid eating foods high in sugar, salt or fats that could trigger ADHD symptoms.
Coaching is an important part of treatment for adults with ADHD and can be paired with medication and psychotherapy to assist them in managing their symptoms. To find a coach that is a good fit for you, it is essential to research their credentials thoroughly. A licensed mental health professional may be helpful in recommending someone. Alternatively, a person with ADHD may find their own coach via online forums or word of mouth.