Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adhd in adults focuses on medication, therapy and family support. Clinical trials are available to test new treatments for ADHD.
The stimulant medications are the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD. They need to be monitored regularly. This means monthly appointments with a doctor and frequent examinations of symptoms.
Medicines
There are many drugs that can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are known as psychostimulants, and they work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will choose the appropriate medication for you and will determine the most effective dosage and timetable. It may take a while to determine the appropriate medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.
The first medication that doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. They increase the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which increase your ability to concentrate and manage impulses. They come in short-, intermediateand long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants last around 6 hours, intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours, while long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause adverse effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medications. However, they can cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera), are used to treat adult ADHD if stimulants do not perform or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medicines do not affect your norepinephrine or dopamine, but they increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine and improve your ability to concentrate. These medications are available in capsules and are taken once or twice a day.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD may also suffer from other psychiatric disorders, like anxiety and depression. These conditions are referred to as comorbidities and may affect how you respond to ADHD treatment. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbid issues. For instance, people who have an addiction history to drugs or disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until someone has quit using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process that involves discussing and discussing issues that cause anxiety or are disturbing to a person. The therapist offers guidance based upon his or her training, experience, credentials, 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 attempting to resolve more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of treatment is decided by the therapist and patient together.
Psychotherapy and medication are a highly effective way to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy helps people improve their organizational skills, time management and prioritizing. It can also teach methods to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms and increase focus, which leads to more productive and effective work and academic performance.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to have co-existing conditions, particularly mood disorders like depression and anxiety. It is important that any co-existing disorders be treated prior to starting treatment for ADHD. Treatment of co-existing disorders could require different types and doses of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a patient who suffers from ADHD could also be suffering from hypertension. To pick a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms without destabilizing the patient's hypertension it is essential to understand how different medications affect individuals over time and the interactions between the medications.
It's crucial to find a therapist who has had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you are comfortable. It's important to schedule your first few sessions at a time when you will not be distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD often face many issues in their lives, including relationships and work problems. They also may experience anger, blame, and frustration that have accumulated in their lives because of their symptoms. Psychosocial therapies can aid patients and their families to develop new attitudes, skills and ways of relating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that helps people alter their behavior and thinking. It involves setting goals, training and the practice of skills, and teaching strategies for improving self-esteem and organization. This can be done individually or in a group setting. Some studies have shown that treatment for metacognitive disorders can reduce symptoms and improve functioning in adults with ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors, 2002).
Some people suffering from ADHD might also require counseling to help them overcome specific issues in their lives. These may include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulties coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help teach skills to manage these situations, improve communication and improve problem-solving skills. adhd adults treatment can also help improve interpersonal relationships, especially in long-term marriages or other partnerships.
Family therapy and support groups therapy are two other types of psychotherapy that can be used to treat ADHD. These can help families deal with the stress of having a child with ADHD and teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can aid parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting strategies that encourage positive results in their children.
It is crucial for people with ADHD to discuss their medications with their health care professionals regularly, and to disclose all other medications they are taking, including prescription drugs. Certain medications can trigger adverse reactions or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis is made it is essential to monitor the patient to ensure that he or she is receiving the benefits of the medication and not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended to visit patients for initial medical monitoring within 30 days of beginning treatment and every month after that. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines, methylphenidate) this allows for thorough titration to an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response and assists in avoiding the patient from being kept taking insufficient doses (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses to excessively high levels (rapid metabolizers).
Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medications or have adverse effects that are unpalatable may benefit from nonstimulant medications. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine or other methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have comorbid disorders like mood disorder or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. Additionally, they may suffer from persistent sleep disturbances or medical issues such as vision and hearing disorders. It is important to screen and assess these conditions as part of the initial assessment for ADHD because they could have a significant impact on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. Many spouses report that they are overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses with ADHD and may become resentful and angry as a result. Making the patient aware of the symptoms of his/her condition and helping them understand that these aren't impulsive acts or a lack of affection can help to reduce marital conflict and resentment. Couples who go through this type of therapy typically experience better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For people who suffer from ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate a cognitive-behavioral component. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their ability to organize their lives, focus and control an impulsive behaviour. It helps patients manage their home, work and social interactions in more productive ways. Psychotherapy can also help patients understand how their condition affects different areas of their lives and relationships. This can help reduce the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that is commonly seen in those with ADHD who are thought of as inept or unintelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by a variety of psychiatric disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. If necessary the presence of any other psychiatric disorders should 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 can produce better results than either treatment on its own. Future controlled studies will aim to monitor and evaluate improvements in functional performance, for example, improvement in school performance or at work, as well as interpersonal relations.