Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults suffering from adhd are treated with medication, therapy and support from family members. Clinical trials are being conducted to test new treatments for ADHD.
The stimulant medications are the most effective medications for adults with ADHD. They need to be monitored regularly. This includes regular appointments with a physician and regular review of symptoms.
Medicines
There are a variety of medications that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are known as psychostimulants and they alter the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) which transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will recommend a medication that's right for you and determine the most appropriate dosage and time to take it. It may take some time to find the right dosage and medication that control your symptoms.
Stimulants are usually the first prescription medication doctors recommend to adults suffering from ADHD. They increase the amount of dopamine that is present in your brain and norepinephrine which helps you to control your impulses and focus. They come in short-, intermediate- and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last around 6 hours, intermediate-acting medicines last between 8 and 10 hours, while long-acting medications last for up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause adverse effects than intermediate or shorter-acting medicines. However, they can induce sleepiness and a change in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine, (Strattera), are used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants don't perform or cause undesirable side effects. These medicines don't affect your dopamine or norepinephrine, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine that's available to your brain and increase your ability to concentrate. The capsules are taken one or two times a day.
Certain adults who suffer from ADHD suffer from co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety. These are called comorbid conditions and can affect how you respond to treatment for ADHD. It is essential to treat any comorbid conditions before starting treatment for ADHD. Patients with a history of substance abuse disorder are more likely to use psychostimulants. This is why it's generally advised to wait until a person has stopped using substances before considering treatment with stimulants for ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process that involves discussing and talking about topics that are troubling or disturbing for a person. The therapist listens to the person and provides advice based on his or her training, education and experience, professional credentials and therapeutic philosophies. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks or months), addressing more immediate issues, or long-term. The patient and therapist decide on the duration and frequency of treatment.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication together is an extremely effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their abilities to organize their lives, manage their time and prioritizing. It can also teach strategies to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms and increase focus, which leads to more productive and effective work and academic performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing disorders, including mood disorders like anxiety and depression. It is crucial that any co-existing disorders be treated before beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different forms and dosages of medication than the ones used to treat ADHD.
A person with ADHD may also suffer from hypertension. To choose a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without destabilizing the hypertension of the patient it is crucial to understand how various medications affect people over time and the interactions between the medications.
It is important to choose a therapist with whom you have good relations, and who has experience in treating adults with ADHD. It is also crucial to schedule your first few sessions when you're not distracted by your family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD often face many problems in their lives, such as relationships and work problems. People with ADHD can also experience frustration, anger and guilt that has developed over time. Psychosocial therapies can help patients and their families to develop new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type psychotherapy that assists people in changing their habits and thoughts. It includes goal-setting, skills training and practice, as well as teaching strategies to improve organization and self-esteem. This can be accomplished individually or in a group setting. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms in adults suffering from ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson and colleagues. 2002).
Some people with ADHD may also require counseling to help them overcome particular issues in their lives. These may include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulties 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 long-term marriages or other relationships.
Family therapy and support groups therapy are also types of psychotherapy that can be used to treat ADHD. These can help families cope with the anxiety of having a child suffering from ADHD, as well as develop skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It also helps parents recognize the symptoms and develop parenting styles that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD must discuss their medication regularly with their doctors and disclose any other medications, such as over-the counter drugs. Some medications can interact with certain medications or cause side effects that are worsened by other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis, it is crucial to monitor the patient's progress to ensure that he/she reaps the benefits of the medication and doesn't suffer from side negative effects. It is recommended that a patient be seen for an initial medical check-up within 30 days of starting treatment and then every month following that. This allows for the proper adjustment of psychostimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamines to a well-tolerated, effective dose. This allows for a precise registration of the patient's reaction and assists in avoiding having sensitive patients remain on insufficient doses (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses to unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
For adults who are not responding effectively to stimulant medications or suffer from uncontrollable side effects, the use of nonstimulant medication may be indicated. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine or other methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults with ADHD typically suffer from comorbid disorders such as mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. They may also suffer from medical conditions like hearing or vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. treating adults with adhd is important to screen and assess these conditions in the initial assessment for ADHD since these can have significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. Spouses report feeling overburdened with the responsibilities of caring for their spouses who suffer from ADHD, and can become resentful or angry as a consequence. Reducing resentment can be achieved by enhancing the patient's awareness of their condition, and helping them understand that the symptoms are not due to a lack in love or willfulness. Couples who undergo this type of therapy typically experience better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is typically 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 social, work and home life more efficiently. Psychotherapy assists patients in understanding how their condition impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This helps reduce the shame and low-esteem that are often felt by people with ADHD. They may be viewed by others as lazy or unintelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by a variety of psychiatric disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. If it is necessary the presence of any other psychiatric disorders must be analyzed to determine if ADHD symptoms are a result of them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is typically recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been shown that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is used the results are superior than either treatment alone. Future controlled medication studies will attempt to track and evaluate the effects of functional improvement, like better functioning at school or at work, as well as interpersonal relationships.