Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults who suffer from adhd are treated through therapy, medication, and family support. Clinical trials are being conducted to test new treatments for ADHD.
Stimulant medications are the most effective treatment for adults with ADHD. They need to be monitored regularly. This includes regular appointments with a physician and frequent reviews of symptoms.
Medicines
Many medications can be used to reduce symptoms of ADHD among adults. These medications are called 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 a medication that's right for you and will determine the most appropriate dosage and time to take it. It could take a while to determine the proper dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.
The first medication doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. These drugs increase the amount of dopamine that is present in your brain and norepinephrine which aids in controlling your impulses and focus. The medications are available in short-, mediumand long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medicines last between 8 and 10 hours, while long-acting medicines last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have less adverse effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting drugs, however they still cause an increase in appetite and sleepiness.
Nonstimulant drugs, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unpleasant side effects. These medications do not alter the levels of dopamine or norepinephrine however, they can increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine, which improves your focus. The capsules are taken one or twice a day.
Many people with ADHD may also suffer from other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression. These are known as comorbid disorders and they can influence how you respond to treatment for ADHD. It is important to address any comorbidities prior to starting treatment for ADHD. People with a history substance abuse disorders are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until someone has quit using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves discussing and discussing issues that cause distress or anxiety to a person. The therapist listens and provides guidance based on her education, training, experience as well as professional qualifications and therapeutic philosophical philosophies. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks or months) and can address more immediate issues, or long-term. The duration and frequency of therapy is decided by the patient and therapist together.
The use of psychotherapy and drugs together is an extremely effective treatment for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their organizational skills, time management and prioritizing. It can also teach techniques to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms and improve concentration, which results in more productive and effective academic and work performance.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to be affected by co-existing disorders, including mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing condition. The treatment of co-existing conditions might require different kinds of medication and doses than those prescribed to treat ADHD.
For instance, a person with ADHD could also be suffering from hypertension. To select a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without destabilizing the hypertension of the patient it is crucial to understand how different medications affect people over time and the interactions between the medications.
It's important to find an therapy provider with whom you have a an excellent relationship and who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. It's important to schedule your first few sessions at times when you will not be distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have many life challenges, including work and relationship problems. A person with ADHD may also experience anger, frustration and blame that has built up over time. Numerous psychosocial therapies have been proven to aid them and their families learn new skills, attitudes and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy can also include cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy that assists individuals change their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, training and practice of skills, and methods of teaching to improve self-esteem and organizational skills. This can be done individually or in a group setting. Certain studies have demonstrated that the use of metacognitive therapy can reduce symptoms and improve performance for adults suffering from ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also require counseling to address specific life challenges. These challenges may include family conflicts, aggressive or impulsive behaviors, or difficulty in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help develop skills to help deal with these situations and increase communication and problem-solving abilities. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, especially in long-term marriages or other relationships.
Family therapy and supportive groups therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that can be used to treat ADHD. These can help families deal with the stress of having a child who has ADHD and teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can help parents understand the disorder and develop parenting methods that encourage positive results in their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medications regularly with their doctors and inform them of any other medications, including over the prescription drugs. Certain medications can cause adverse reactions or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis is made it is important that the patient be monitored to ensure that they are receiving the benefits of the medication and is not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended to visit patients for initial clinical monitoring within 30days after starting treatment and every month following that. This allows for the proper titration of psychostimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, to a well-tolerated, effective dose. This permits accurate recording of the patient's response and helps to avoid having sensitive patients remain on insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses onto unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medications or have side effects that are intolerable may benefit from nonstimulant medications. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring disorders like mood disorder or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. In addition, they may experience chronic sleep disorders or medical issues like hearing and vision problems. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD it is crucial to detect these conditions and assess them. These conditions can have a significant impact on functional impairments for adults.
ADHD can also be controlled through marital therapy. Spouses report feeling overburdened with the responsibilities of caring for their spouses who suffer from ADHD, and can be angry or resentful as a consequence. Reduced resentment can be achieved by enhancing the awareness of their illness, and helping them to realize that the symptoms are not caused by a lack in love or willfulness. Couples who go through this kind of therapy usually experience improved family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is typically suggested. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy assists patients in learning to improve their abilities to manage their time, focus and control impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their home, work, and social situations in more productive ways. Psychotherapy assists patients in understanding how their condition impacts various aspects of their lives and relationships. adult treatment for adhd can help decrease the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are often experienced by adults with ADHD, who may be thought of as inept or unintelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders may be akin to ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. The presence of any other psychiatric problems should be evaluated according to the need, to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are connected to them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated using an amalgamation of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been proven that a combination of psychotherapy and medication yields better results than either treatment alone. adults adhd treatment should attempt to track and measure the effects of functional improvements, such as better performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.