Treating Adults With ADHD
If you have ADHD every day tasks can be an enormous challenge. You may find it difficult to get up each day, stick to 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.
Medicines
Stimulants are the most common medications for treating adults with ADHD. These drugs help boost and balance levels of specific brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which are key to the brain's ability to focus and control impulses, plan ahead, and follow through on tasks. They can also ease symptoms that affect daily functioning, such as disorganization or difficulty maintaining relationships.
There are many different types of stimulant medication. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are two most popular stimulant drugs. These drugs are available as patches, liquids or pills. They can also be combined with psychotherapy. Medications for treating adults with ADHD are typically prescribed as extended-release, long-acting tablets, which are taken once a day. These medications are believed to be more effective than shorter- and intermediate-acting varieties, which require people to take their medication three or four times a day. They can cause frequent "crash" periods.
When you are 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 heart rate and blood pressure. Stimulants may also cause tics to become more obvious and cause minor growth delays in children and teenagers.
Antidepressants can be prescribed by a physician to control symptoms of impulsivity in certain people who aren't treated with medication for adult ADHD. Antidepressants are not specifically approved by the FDA to treat ADHD however, studies have shown they can be helpful in many cases.
It is also important to keep in mind that, despite the fact that medications may improve the ability to plan, organize, and carry out daily tasks, they're not an effective treatment for ADHD. People suffering from ADHD have to work hard to establish and maintain healthy relationships, adhere to good sleep habits and include a balanced diet and exercise into their lives.
People suffering from ADHD have difficulty in their relationships due to their unpredictable behavior as well as poor time management and a lack of organizational skills. Therapy that focuses on issues with relationships or classes that teach the art of conflict resolution and communication can be beneficial. A lot of couples benefit from counseling, as it can help them break patterns of blame and blame that cause marital conflict or hinder families from working well together.
Psychotherapy
If you're an adult with ADHD and you're a child of ADHD, you might find that psychotherapy will assist you in controlling your life and reduce your symptoms. 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 capabilities. Psychotherapy can also assist you in dealing with relationship and family issues that often arise when dealing with ADHD.
Generally speaking, talk therapy can be done in person or over the phone. 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 coping with chronic pain or an illness that is serious.
One form of psychotherapy is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It is a process of identifying and changing negative thoughts that lead to bad behavior. Typically, this involves looking back at past struggles and difficulties. Your therapist will teach you how to break these experiences into pieces so that you can discern the negative patterns of thinking that could have influenced these issues.
Another alternative is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). DBT provides a range of skills that can help you manage your emotions and behavior. It can teach you to practice mindfulness, which allows you to focus on the present moment and quiet your mind. It also teaches you to regulate your emotions so that they are less likely to trigger impulse-driven behavior.
Other forms of psychotherapy include interpersonal therapy and hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy and interpersonal therapy can help you understand and express your emotions in healthy ways. These techniques can help you increase your confidence and self-esteem, and also aiding you in dealing with frustration and anger.
Additionally, family and marriage therapy can address problems that ADHD can cause in your relationships with family members. It can assist you and your partner or spouse communicate better and find effective ways to manage money issues, resentment over forgotten responsibilities and disagreements over how to deal with impulsive decisions.
Counseling
The first step in treatment of adults with ADHD is to ensure that the patient undergoes an extensive physical exam. A doctor will search for any underlying medical conditions that may cause ADHD such as depression, anxiety disorders mood swings, and other psychiatric disorders. Mood disorders can often co-exist alongside ADHD and cause more symptoms. Adults who suffer from ADHD should also be evaluated for alcohol and drug addiction.
Talk therapy is a great tool to help those suffering from ADHD manage their symptoms and improve their relationships. Adults with ADHD can receive counseling in various formats, including sessions for groups and individuals as well as online platforms and phone-based therapy. Counseling is designed to help people develop fundamental skills, such as managing stress and anger as well as regulating their emotions and improving their communication.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of talk therapy which provides coping strategies for ADHD. It involves working with an therapy therapist to discover negative thinking processes which lead to problems like poor time management or an impulsive behavior. CBT can be utilized in conjunction with medications or alone.
Family counseling is a common part of the treatment of adults with ADHD. Parents and spouses may be irritated by the difficulties of living with someone who has ADHD particularly when it causes relationships problems. Couples therapy can help couples improve their communication and resolve conflicts, while also supporting each other's goals when ADHD is present.
Other types of talk therapy are also available, such as dialectical behavior therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). MBCT utilizes mindfulness training to increase the patient's self-awareness and control impulsive behavior. It also teaches strategies for reducing stress, focusing and improving executive functioning.
Certain patients suffering from ADHD discover that changes to their diet and incorporating more exercise can lessen their symptoms. Exercise can improve concentration, boost mood and reduce hyperactivity. A diet rich in healthy foods can help to control impulses and provide essential nutrients. The hygiene of your sleep is essential for a good sleep. Regular bedtimes, and a consistent routine in the morning can reduce the amount of hyperactivity and increase focus, and improve your health.
Coaching
Contrary to psychotherapy, which is able to assist people in overcoming emotional issues, coaching for adults with ADHD is focused on practical solutions. A professional coach will teach 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 issue for people with ADHD is maintaining motivation to complete goals and tasks, and a coach can aid by providing encouragement and the structure. They can use strategies like the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working in short bursts and taking breaks, to help individuals keep their focus and work. They can also offer support in the development of healthy eating and exercise habits that can boost energy levels.
Coaching can help natural add treatment with ADHD develop effective communication skills. They can also assist adults with ADHD develop and maintain a positive relationship by focusing more on their strengths and not so much issues. Coaching can also help adults with ADHD gain a better understanding of their own behaviors, tendencies, and how they impact other people.
Many adults with ADHD struggle to manage their emotions, which can affect their self-esteem, as well as their professional and social performance. A coach can teach strategies for stress reduction that can improve the ability to focus and cope such as mindfulness or meditation. This can also help individuals improve their sleep, which is often disrupted by anxiety-inducing thoughts and slumbering nights.
A coach can help people develop healthier eating habits. This is a typical issue for people with ADHD. They can give guidance on how to shop for groceries and prepare meals, and how to store healthy snacks on hand. This can help to avoid eating foods high in salt, sugar or fats that could trigger ADHD symptoms.
Adults with ADHD may benefit from coaching, which is a component of their treatment. It can be combined with medication and psychotherapy to treat symptoms. In order to find a coach that is a good match, it is important to thoroughly research their credentials. A licensed mental health professional can recommend someone or someone with ADHD could find their coach via online forums or word-of mouth.