Adult ADHD Treatment

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Adults

Many associate attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with children, but many of these children grow up to become adults who struggle with this condition for a lifetime. ADHD is a brain disorder that is one of the most common mental disorders among the human population. This disorder is marked by excessive movement, hyperactivity, poor impulse control and a general lack of focus. Some children are never diagnosed so they carry this condition into adulthood without ever being aware of their condition. An estimated 2.5 percent of adults have ADHD. This disorder is also more common in males than females.

Symptoms of ADHD include:

• Impulse Control Issues
• Emotional Problems
• Focus issues
• Hyperfocus
• Disorganization
• Memory Issues
• Time Management Problems
• Poor Self-Image
• Lack Of Motivation
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Relationship Issues
• Substance Abuse
• Health Issues

Best Types of Therapy for ADHD

ADHD Treatment Options for Adults can be medical, therapeutic, and experiential depending on the needs of the patient. The medical course of action involves utilizing the medications available to treat the disorder. Not all medications are effective, but that is why it is up to the patient and their doctor to find the right balance of medication type and dosage to curtail the impulses that cannot be controlled. As medication can be helpful, the addition of a trained therapist working with the patient increases the efficacy of any medication. Psychologists can help the patients discuss their progress, address any concerns, and process through the emotions of battling this disorder. The need for psychosocial and psycho-educational treatments is a practical way to steer the patient toward positive outcomes. Getting proper support is the first step for a human being to make major changes to their lives for the better.

Outpatient Therapy for ADHD

Outpatient therapy is the first option to be considered when dealing with the symptoms of ADHD. Utilizing a personalized treatment plan, patients can schedule their treatments with clinical professionals and therapists. In this way, they can carry on with their lives as much as possible without a full inpatient immersion. Giving patients tools and techniques to manage their own behavior is very important. Creating a point system that reinforces corrective behaviors is one of the many ways to train patients to take charge of their impulses. Through psychotherapy, patients can explore upsetting emotions and look closer into self-defeating behaviors so they can start to alleviate psychological triggers that may increase their symptoms. Utilizing behavioral therapies to challenge thought patterns and coping mechanisms, therapists can help patients modify their behaviors. Sometimes it is necessary to teach ADHD sufferers new social skills and new behavior models. Societal pressure can also be a trigger for ADHD, so teaching patients new social skills can help alleviate that trigger. These are important in maintaining social relationships, which are helpful in producing a healthy psychology for the ADHD sufferer. Another kind of training involves meditation and relaxation, which are effective at treating hyperactivity. A routine of mindfulness can help the tremors of angst they feel on a daily basis. These are routines that need to be repeated over and over so the pattern is created permanently.

Holistic Residential Therapy for ADHD

Checking into a holistic residential treatment center is usually the last resort for someone suffering from ADHD. Having access to professional trained staff in a resort like setting with spa services and calming scenery might be necessary for extreme anxiety and compulsion control. A new setting distinct and different from the previous environmental blueprint can have a transformative effect. This unplugging from your life is sometimes necessary in setting a new path. Having in-house psychologists and trained staff close by to render services to patients in a friendly environment is crucial for adjusting to new ways of thinking which are necessary to transform your psychology. Therapists can better make sure that the game plan and medication, if applicable, are being kept on track. This is difficult to monitor when someone is trying to traverse their hectic life outside a residential treatment location. Some residential treatment centers enable patients to leave for work and come back to the sanctuary devoted to treating their disorder, which minimizes interference with their working life as much as possible. Sometimes, the working life must be put on hiatus in serious cases so patients can get the most out of the treatment program.

Medications that Work for ADHD Treatment Options for Adults

There are a number of FDA-approved medications for ADHD that can help adults with everyday life. These psychotropic medications can offer alleviation to the patient who struggles with a lack of impulse control. This course of action gives the patients the tools to manage the many symptoms that rule their lives. There are fast acting stimulants that improve the symptoms of ADHD by 70 to 80 percent.  Stimulants work by increasing attention and decreasing restlessness in patients that are overactive, cannot concentrate, or demonstrate impulsiveness. Non-stimulants have also been approved for treating ADHD, which don’t work as fast as their counterparts, but offer results that last up to 24 hours. They are also useful when other stimulants don’t work or cause side effects that outweigh the benefit. Both of these medication types work differently on an individual basis, so doctors may have to try different medications or doses until they fine tune a proper course of action.

Stimulant ADHD Medications include:

• Amphetamines (Dyanavel XR, Evekeo)
• Dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Dexedrine, Zenzedi, Dextrostrat, ProCentra)
• Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin, Focalin XR)
• Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
• Methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, , Metadate CD, Ritalin, Quillivant XR)

Non-stimulant ADHD Medications include:

• Atomoxetine (Strattera)
• Clonidine hydrochloride (Kapvay)
• Guanfacine (Intuniv)

Other ADHD Medications include:

• Amitriptyline (Elavil)
• Desipramine (Norpramin)
• Imipramine (Tofranil)
• Notriptyline (Aventyl)
• Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
• Escitalopram (Lexapro)
• Sertraline (Zoloft)
• Venlafaxine (Effexor)

Side Effects of ADHD Medication:

• Appetite loss
• Sleep issues
• Headaches
• Jitters

New Technologies for ADHD

Living in the technological age means new treatments utilizing technology are being created to help patients create compensatory skills. Rather than curing the disorder, technology is used to enhance the brain’s function. The technologies focus on improving working memory, increasing self-regulation, and targeting the brain’s prefrontal cortex to increase executive functions. Brain therapy involves exercising brain functions by using software much like physical therapy helps to heal muscle injuries. A variety of the new technologies are still in the early stages of development. These pieces of software use the attention-getting nature of technology to train the brain in skills that translate to real world living. The ability to engage someone with a game is the perfect Trojan horse for brain development and brain control. Some of this technology uses heart monitors to measure emotional control in a bio-responsive game. These kinds of technologies will be game changers in the future and continue to grow in popularity once they are fully developed.

ADHD Treatment Options for Adults

If you or a loved one are battling the symptoms of ADHD and are interested in residential or outpatient treatment options, please a Treatment Specialist today at (866) 644-7911 to be directed to professional resources and services. Help is only a phone call away. It is never too late to get holistic help for ADHD, and there is no reason to do it alone.