Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults with adhd are treated through medication, therapy, and family support. Clinical trials are being conducted to test new treatments for ADHD.
Stimulant medications are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. However, they must be constantly monitored. This includes monthly appointments with a doctor as well as frequent reviews of symptoms and side effects.
Medications
There are a variety of medications that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are known as psychostimulants. They function by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will choose a medication that's right for you and will determine the best dose and schedule to take it. It could take a while to find the right dosage and medication to control your symptoms.
The first medication that doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. These medicines increase the amounts of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which improve your ability to concentrate and control impulses. They come in short-, intermediate- and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last around 6 hours, intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours, while long-acting medicines last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely cause side effects than intermediate or shorter-acting medicines. However, they may cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unpleasant adverse side effects. These medicines do not affect your dopamine or norepinephrine levels however, they can increase the brain's supply of norepinephrine, which improves your concentration. The capsules are taken one or twice a day.
Some people with ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. These conditions are referred to as comorbidities, and they can influence how you respond to ADHD treatment. It is essential to treat any comorbid disorders prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. People who have a history of addiction to drugs are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interaction process of discussing and talking about issues that may be disturbing or troubling to a person. The therapist listens and provides guidance based on his or her education, training as well as experience, professional credentials and therapeutic theories. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or even months) and can address more immediate issues, or longer-term. The duration and frequency of the treatment are determined by the therapist and patient together.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication together is an extremely effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can assist people improve their time management, organizational skills and prioritizing. It can also teach techniques to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms, improve concentration and improve work and academic performance.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to be affected by co-existing issues, especially mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. It is essential that any co-existing disorders be addressed prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different types and dosages of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
A person who suffers from ADHD may also be suffering from hypertension. To select a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing destabilization of the hypertension of the patient it is crucial to know how different medications affect individuals over time and the interactions between medications.
It is essential to choose a therapist with had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you feel comfortable. It is important to schedule your first few sessions at a time that you won't be distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD face many challenges in their lives, including difficulties in their relationships and at work. People with ADHD can also experience frustration, anger and blame that have developed over time. Numerous psychosocial therapies have been proven effective in helping their families and patients learn new behaviors, skills, and ways of connecting.
Psychotherapy can include cognitive behavior therapy, a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals change their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, training and practice of skills, as well as teaching strategies for improving self-esteem and organizational skills. It can be done in a private or in a group setting. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms in adults suffering from ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson et al., 2002).
Some people suffering from ADHD may also require therapy to help them overcome specific issues in their lives. This could include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behavior, or difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help develop strategies to manage these situations, improve communication, and improve problem-solving skills. It can also enhance relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Family therapy and support groups therapy are also types of psychotherapy that can be utilized to treat ADHD. These can help families cope with the anxiety of having a child who has ADHD, as well as develop skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can also help parents recognize the symptoms and develop parenting strategies that promote positive outcomes for their children.
Adults with ADHD should discuss their medications regularly with their doctors and also disclose any other medications, including over-the drug products. Certain medications can cause side effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough assessment and diagnosis, it is essential to monitor the patient's condition to ensure that the patient receives the benefits of the medication and doesn't experience side negative effects. It is recommended to visit the patient for the initial clinical assessment within 30 days of beginning treatment, and then every month thereafter. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines) this allows for thorough titration to an effective and well-tolerated dose. This allows accurate registration of the patient's response and helps to avoid keeping a sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
Adults who aren't responding well to stimulant medication or have side effects that are intolerable may benefit from nonstimulant medications. Most often, this is the use of atomoxetine or other alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually affected by comorbid disorders, like depression or substance abuse. They might also be suffering from medical problems like hearing and vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD, it is important to identify for these conditions and then evaluate them. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments for adults.
Marital therapy is also useful in the management of ADHD. Couples complain of being overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses who suffer from ADHD, and can be angry or resentful in response. Increasing the patient's awareness of the signs of their condition and helping them understand that these aren't willful acts or a lack of affection can reduce marital conflict and resentment. Couples who undergo this type of therapy tend to have better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD is typically recommended. It should include a cognitive and behavioral component. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their abilities to manage their time and focus and control their impulsive behavior. treatments for adhd helps patients manage their work, social and home life more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients to understand how their disorder impacts different areas of their life and relationships. This can reduce the shame and low-esteem that are often seen among people suffering from ADHD. They might be viewed by others as being lazy or less intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders can mimic ADHD symptoms. For instance anxiety disorders are found at high rates in adults ADHD patients and depression is observed in greater numbers among people suffering from the disorder. The presence of other psychiatric problems should be assessed according to the need, to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are linked to them.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated using an amalgamation of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been established that a combination of psychotherapy and medication yields better results than either treatment by itself. Future controlled studies must attempt to track and measure the effects of functional improvements, such as better performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.