Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adhd in adults focuses on medication, therapy and support from family members. People can also participate in clinical trials to try new ways of treating ADHD.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. They require monitoring regularly. That includes monthly clinical appointments and regular reviews of symptoms and side effects.
Medicines
There are many medications that can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are referred to as psychostimulants. They work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will choose the right medication for you and will decide the most effective dose and time to take it. It could take some time to determine the proper dosage and medication that will 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 focus and manage impulses. These medications are available in short-, mediumand long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants can last up to 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 side effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medicines. However, they can induce sleepiness and a change in appetite.
Nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine, (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD in cases where stimulants don't work or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medications do not alter the levels of dopamine or norepinephrine however they do increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine and improve your concentration. These medications are in capsules and can be taken once or twice a day.
Certain adults who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring disorders, such as depression or anxiety. These conditions are known as comorbidities, and they can affect how you respond to ADHD treatment. It is important to address any comorbid conditions before starting treatment for ADHD. People with a history substance abuse disorder are more likely to use psychostimulants. This is why it is generally recommended to wait until a person has removed themselves from using substances before evaluating treatment with stimulants for ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves discussing and discussing issues that are troubling or disturbing to a person. The therapist provides guidance on the basis of his or her qualifications, experience, training and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with more immediate challenges or longer-term (months or years) in which a patient is working to address more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of treatment are determined by the therapist and patient together.
The use of psychotherapy and drugs together is a highly effective treatment for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy helps people improve their ability to manage their time, organize and prioritizing. It can also teach techniques for managing emotions such as anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and improve focus, leading to more efficient and successful academic and work.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely of having co-existing disorders. This is particularly true for mood disorders like depression and anxiety. It is important that any co-existing condition be addressed prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different types and doses of medication than those used to treat ADHD.
For example, a person with ADHD could also be suffering from hypertension. To pick a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms without destabilizing the hypertension of the patient it is essential to know how different medications affect people over time as well as the interactions between the medications.
It's important to find a therapist with whom you have a good relationship, and who is experienced in treating adults with ADHD. It is crucial to schedule your first few sessions at times when you will not be distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD have many difficulties in their lives, including difficulties at work and in relationships. People with ADHD can be prone to anger, frustration and blame that have built up over time. Numerous psychosocial therapies have been proven effective in helping them and their families learn new attitudes, skills and ways of connecting.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of 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 self-esteem and organizational skills. It can be carried out in groups or individually. Metacognitive therapy has been proven to significantly reduce symptoms in adults suffering from ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson, et al. 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD require counseling to address specific life challenges. treat adult add could include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behavior, or difficulty dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help develop how to handle these situations, improve communication and improve problem-solving skills. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term partnerships.
Family therapy and support groups therapy are two other types of psychotherapy that can be used to treat ADHD. These can help families cope with the stress of having a child with ADHD, as well as develop skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It also helps parents understand the disorder and develop parenting styles that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
Adults with ADHD must discuss their medication regularly with their physicians and also disclose any other medications, such as over-the counter drugs. Certain medications can interact with certain medications or cause adverse effects that are exacerbated by other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis, it is essential to monitor the patient's progress to ensure that he/she reaps the benefits of the medication and doesn't experience any adverse side effects. It is recommended to see a patient for the initial clinical assessment within 30 days of beginning treatment and then every month after that. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines) this allows for the gradual titration of an effective and well-tolerated dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response and assists in avoiding having sensitive patients remain taking insufficient doses (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses on unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
For adults who are unable to respond effectively to stimulant medications or experience uncontrollable side effects the use of nonstimulant medications might be suggested. Most often, this is the use of atomoxetine or other related alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults with ADHD typically suffer from comorbid disorders like mood disorder 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 crucial to identify for these conditions and then evaluate them. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments for adults.
ADHD can also be controlled through marital therapy. Spouses often report that they feel overburdened 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 patient's understanding of the condition, and assisting them understand that the symptoms are not caused by a lack in willfulness or love. Couples who go through this kind of therapy tend to have better functioning families.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is usually recommended. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy can help patients improve their focus, organization skills, and control impulsive behaviors. It helps patients learn to manage their work, social and home environments more efficiently. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition affects various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help decrease the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that is often seen in adults with ADHD, who may be considered lazy or less intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders may be akin to ADHD symptoms. For example anxiety disorders are seen at a higher rate in adult ADHD patients and depression is observed in greater numbers among adults with the disorder. The presence of other mental health issues should be analyzed, as appropriate, to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are related to them.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated with a combination of pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy. It has been shown that when a combination of medication and psychotherapy is employed the results are superior than either treatment alone. Future controlled studies will aim to track and evaluate improvements in functional performance, for example, better functioning at school as well as in the workplace and interpersonal relations.