Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment of adhd in adults focuses on medication, therapy and support from family members. Clinical trials are available to test new treatments for ADHD.
Stimulant medications are the most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. But they need to be monitored regularly. This includes monthly appointments with a doctor and regular reviews of side effects and symptoms.
Medicines
Numerous medications can be used to reduce symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are referred to as psychostimulants, and they work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will recommend the best medication for you and will decide the best dose and schedule to take it. It could take a while to determine the proper dosage and medication to control your symptoms.
The first drug that doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. These medications increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in your brain, which improve your ability to focus and manage impulses. The medications are available in short-, mediumand long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last for about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medications last between 8 and 10 hours, and long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer negative effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medicines, but they can still cause an increase in appetite and sleepiness.
Nonstimulant medicines, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unwanted side effects. These medicines do not affect your norepinephrine or dopamine however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine, which improves your focus. The capsules are taken one or twice a day.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD also have other psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. These are referred to as comorbid conditions and they can influence the way you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbid issues. Patients with a history of substance abuse disorder are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until someone has quit using drugs before using stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interaction process of discussing and talking about things that can be troubling or troubling for a person. The therapist listens to the person and provides guidance based on their education, training, experience professional credentials and therapeutic theories. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues or more long-term (months or years) in which a person is working to address more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of therapy is determined by the therapist and patient together.
The use of psychotherapy and medications together is a highly effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their organizational skills, time management and prioritizing. It can also teach methods for managing emotions like anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and increase concentration, which results in more efficient and successful work and academic performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a higher risk of co-existing conditions. This is particularly applicable to mood disorders like depression and anxiety. It is important that any co-existing conditions be treated before beginning treatment for ADHD. The treatment of co-existing disorders might require different kinds of medication and doses than the ones prescribed to treat ADHD.
A person who suffers from ADHD may also suffer from hypertension. Selecting a medication that addresses the ADHD symptoms but doesn't alter the patient's tentatively controlled hypertension requires knowledge of how various medications affect people over time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between medications.
It's important to find a therapist with whom you have a good relationship, and who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. It's important to schedule your first few sessions at a time that you aren't distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD face a variety of challenges in their lives, including issues at work and in relationships. They may also feel frustration, blame and anger that have accumulated in their lives due to their symptoms. Psychosocial therapies can aid patients and their families to develop new attitudes, skills and ways of relating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type psychotherapy that helps people change their habits and thoughts. It involves setting goals, training and the practice of skills, as well as teaching strategies for improving organization and self-esteem. It may be done in individual or group sessions. Some studies have shown that metacognitive treatment can significantly reduce symptoms and improve functioning for adults suffering from ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors, 2002).
Some people suffering from ADHD might also require counseling to help them overcome particular issues in their lives. These difficulties could include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, or difficulty in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help develop skills to manage these situations, improve communication, and increase problem-solving capabilities. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, especially in long-term marriages or other partnerships.
Family therapy and supportive groups therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that can be utilized to treat ADHD. These therapies can assist families in coping and learn skills to reduce conflict and improve communication when dealing with children who have ADHD. It can assist parents understand the condition and develop parenting methods that promote positive outcomes for their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD must discuss their medication regularly with their physicians and inform them of any other medications, such as over-the drug products. Some medications can cause adverse reactions or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis is established, it is crucial to monitor the patient to ensure that he or she is receiving the benefits of the medication and is not experiencing side effects. It is recommended to see the patient for the initial medical monitoring within 30 days of beginning treatment and every month after that. This allows for an accurate titration of psychostimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, to a well-tolerated, effective dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patients' response and helps avoid keeping patients who are sensitive to doses that are too low.
Adults who are not responding well to stimulant medications or suffer from unwanted side effects that are difficult to tolerate might benefit from non-stimulant drugs. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine, or other related alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults with ADHD are often affected by comorbid conditions, like depression or substance abuse. They may also have medical issues like hearing and vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD it is essential to screen these conditions and assess their severity. These conditions could have a significant impact on functional impairments in adults.
Marital therapy can also be beneficial in managing ADHD. Couples often say that they are overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses with ADHD and can become resentful and angry due to this. Reduced resentment can be achieved by increasing more info the patient's understanding of the condition, and assisting them understand that the symptoms aren't caused by a lack in willfulness or love. Couples who go through this type of therapy tend to have better functioning families.
Behavioral Therapy
For adults with ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include a cognitive-behavioral component. Behavioral therapy helps patients improve their focus, organization skills and manage impulsive behavior. It helps patients learn to manage their social, work and home life more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients to understand how their condition affects different aspects of their lives and relationships. This helps reduce the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are often seen among adults with ADHD. They may be perceived by others as lazy or less intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by various mental disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders and depression. The presence of other mental health problems should be assessed according to the need, to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are related to them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is usually recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been shown that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is employed results are more favorable than either treatment alone. Future controlled medication studies should aim to measure and track the effects of functional improvements, such as better performance at work, school and interpersonal relationships.