Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults who suffer from adhd are treated with medication, therapy and support from the family. People can also participate in clinical trials that test new ways of treating ADHD.
Stimulant medication is the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD. But they need to be monitored regularly. That includes monthly clinical appointments, and frequent reviews of symptoms and side effects.
Medicines
A variety of medications can be utilized to treat symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are known as psychostimulants and they affect the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that pass messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will choose the appropriate medication for you and will determine the most effective dosage and schedule. It could take some time to determine the proper dosage and medication to control your symptoms.
Stimulants are often the first medication doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD. These medicines increase the amounts of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in your brain, which enhances your ability to focus and manage impulses. They are available in short-, intermediate-and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants last for about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours, and long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have less side effects than shorterand intermediate-acting medications, but they can still cause an increase in appetite and sleepiness.
Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine, (Strattera), are used to treat adult ADHD in cases where stimulants don't perform or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medications do not alter your dopamine or norepinephrine levels, but they increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine and improve your focus. These medications are in capsule form and are taken either twice or three times every day.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. These conditions are referred to as comorbidities and can affect your response to ADHD treatment. It is important to address any comorbid disorders prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. For instance, people who have a history of substance use disorder are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It is recommended to wait until someone has quit using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interaction process of talking and discussing things that can be troubling or troubling for a person. The therapist provides guidance based upon his or her training, experience, credentials, and the therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy could be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with more immediate challenges or longer-term (months or years) in which a patient is attempting to resolve more complicated and longstanding issues. The duration and frequency of treatment is determined by the therapist and patient together.
The use of psychotherapy and medications together is an extremely effective treatment for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their time management, organizational skills, and prioritizing. adults adhd treatment can also teach methods to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms, improve concentration and improve work and academic performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be affected by co-existing issues, especially mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Before beginning treatment for ADHD, it is important to treat any co-existing conditions. Treatment of co-existing disorders could require different forms and dosages of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
For example, a person who suffers from ADHD may also have hypertension. Selecting a medication that addresses the ADHD symptoms but doesn't alter the patient's hypertension that is controlled requires knowledge of how different medications affect individuals over time and an understanding of the interactions between medications.
It's important that you locate a therapist who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD and with whom you are comfortable. It is crucial to schedule your initial sessions at a time that you will not be distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD often have many issues in their lives, including work and relationship problems. They may also feel anger, blame and frustration that have accumulated in their lives due to their symptoms. Psychosocial therapies can help patients and their families to develop new skills, attitudes and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy can also include cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals change their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, as well as methods of teaching to improve self-esteem and organization. This can be accomplished individually or in a group setting. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms in adults with ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson et al. 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also need counseling to deal with specific life difficulties. These difficulties could include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, or difficulty in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can teach techniques to deal with these situations and enhance the ability to communicate and solve problems. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, particularly in marriages or other long-term partnerships.
Family therapy and supportive groups therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that could be used to treat ADHD. These can help families deal with the anxiety of having a child suffering from ADHD, as well as develop skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can help parents understand the disorder and develop parenting strategies that promote positive outcomes for their children.
Adults with ADHD should discuss their medications regularly with their physicians and inform them of any other medications, including over the counter drugs. Certain medications can cause adverse effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis is made it is essential that the patient is monitored to ensure that they are receiving the benefits of the medication and is not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended that a patient be examined for an initial medical check-up within 30 days of starting treatment, and every month afterward. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this allows for a complete titration to an effective and well-tolerated dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response. It also helps to avoid having sensitive patients remain taking insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses on unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
For adults who are unable to respond well to stimulant medication or experience uncontrollable side effects the use of non-stimulant drugs may be indicated. This is usually the case with the methylphenidate based atomoxetine alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD are frequently affected by comorbid disorders such as depression or substance abuse. They may also have medical problems like hearing and vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. It is essential to identify and analyze these conditions in the initial assessment for ADHD because they can have a significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be treated through marital therapy. adults adhd treatment complain of being overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses suffering from ADHD and may be angry or resentful in response. The way to reduce resentment is by increasing the patient's awareness of their condition, and assisting them understand that the symptoms aren't the result of a lack in love or willfulness. Couples who undergo this type of therapy are more likely to have better functioning families.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD is typically suggested. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy assists patients in learning to improve their organizational skills and focus, as well as control the impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their work, social and home life more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This can reduce the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are commonly seen in people with ADHD. They may be viewed by others as being lazy or unintelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by many mental disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. If necessary the presence of other psychiatric disorders must be analyzed to determine whether ADHD symptoms are a result of them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that the combination of psychotherapy and medication yields better results than either therapy alone. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to track and measure the improvement in functional aspects such as improved performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.