Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults who suffer from adhd are treated through medication, therapy and support from the family. Individuals can also take part in clinical trials that test new approaches to treating ADHD.
Stimulant medication is the most effective medications for adults with ADHD. However, they must be closely monitored. That includes monthly clinical appointments and regular reviews of symptoms and side effects.
Medications
Numerous medications can be used to treat symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are known as psychostimulants and they work by changing the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that transmit messages between nerve cells. adhd treatments adults will choose the most appropriate medication for your needs and will determine the most effective dosage and schedule. It may take a while to determine the appropriate medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.
Stimulants are usually the first prescription medication doctors recommend to adults suffering from ADHD. These medicines increase the amounts of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which enhances your ability to concentrate and control impulses. These medications are available in short-, medium-- and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants can last up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medicines last for 8-10 hours. Long-acting stimulants last from 8 to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause adverse reactions than intermediate or shorter-acting medicines. However, they can still cause sleepiness and change in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera), are used to treat adults with ADHD if stimulants do not perform or cause undesirable adverse effects. These medications do not alter your norepinephrine or dopamine, but they increase the brain's supply of norepinephrine, which improves your concentration. The capsules are taken one or twice daily.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. These are called comorbid conditions and they can influence how you react to treatment for ADHD. It's important to treat any comorbid conditions before starting treatment for ADHD. Patients with a history of substance abuse disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. This is why it's often advisable to wait until the person has quit using substances before considering treatment with stimulants for ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process that involves discussing and talking about topics that cause anxiety or are disturbing to a person. The therapist provides guidance on the basis of his or her education, experience, credentials and the therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy could be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with issues that are more immediate or longer-term (months or years) in which a person is working on more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of the treatment is decided by the therapist and the patient together.
Psychotherapy and medication together are a highly effective way to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help individuals improve their time management, organizational skills and prioritizing. It can also teach strategies to manage emotions such as anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms and increase focus, leading to more productive and effective academic and work performance.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing disorders, including mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing conditions. Treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types and dosages of medication than those used to treat ADHD.
A person suffering from ADHD can also have hypertension. To choose a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without destabilizing the hypertension of the patient it is essential to understand how various medications affect people over time as well as the interactions between the medications.
It is essential to choose a therapist with expertise in treating adults with ADHD and with whom you feel at ease. It's also important to schedule your first few sessions when you're not distracted by your family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD have many difficulties in their lives, such as problems in their relationships and at work. The person who has ADHD might also experience anger, frustration and guilt that has built up over time. Psychosocial treatments can aid patients and their families develop new skills, attitudes and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy can include cognitive behavior therapy, which is a type of psychotherapy that aids individuals to modify their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, and methods of teaching to improve self-esteem and organization. It may be done in group or individual sessions. Certain studies have demonstrated that metacognitive treatment can significantly reduce symptoms and improve performance in adults with ADHD (Stevenson and colleagues 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD require counseling to address specific challenges. These issues could include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behavior, and difficulties in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can teach skills to help deal with these situations and increase communication and problem-solving skills. It can also improve relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Family therapy and supportive groups therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that could be used to treat ADHD. These can assist families to cope with the stress of having a child suffering from ADHD and help improve communication and reduce conflicts. It also helps parents learn about the disorder and develop parenting strategies that promote positive outcomes for their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medications regularly with their physicians and also disclose any other medications, such as 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 important to monitor the patient to ensure that they are receiving the benefits of medication and not experiencing side effects. It is recommended to consult patients for initial clinical monitoring within 30days of starting treatment and then every month thereafter. This allows for a thorough adjustment of psychostimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamines to a safe, effective dose. This allows for a precise registration of the patient's response. It also assists in avoiding keeping sensitive patients on insufficient doses (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses onto excessively high levels (rapid metabolizers).
For adults who do not respond adequately to stimulant medication or have intolerable side effects the use of nonstimulant medication could be recommended. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine or other methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically suffer from comorbid disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. 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 detect for these conditions and then evaluate them. These conditions could have a significant impact on functional impairments in adults.
ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. Many spouses report that they are overwhelmed by the responsibilities to care for their spouses with ADHD and can become angry and angry in the process. Reducing resentment can be achieved by enhancing the understanding of his/her condition, and assisting them understand that the symptoms aren't the result of a lack in willfulness or love. Couples who go through this type of therapy typically experience better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD is typically advised. It should include a cognitive and behavioral component. Behavioral therapy can help patients improve their organizational skills, focus and manage impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their work, social and home life more efficiently. Psychotherapy can also help patients understand how their condition impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help reduce the shame and low-esteem that are often felt by people suffering from ADHD. They may be viewed by others as lazy or inexperienced.
Many psychiatric disorders may mimic ADHD symptoms. For instance, anxiety disorders occur at high rates in adults ADHD patients and depression is observed at increased levels in people suffering from the disorder. If necessary the presence of any other psychiatric disorders should be analyzed to determine if ADHD symptoms are a result of them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with an amalgamation of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been proven that when a combination of medication and psychotherapy is utilized the results are superior than either treatment alone. Future controlled studies will aim to measure and assess improvements in functional performance, for example, improved functioning in school or at work, as well as interpersonal relations.