Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults who suffer from adhd are treated through therapy, medication and support from the family. adults adhd treatment can also take part in clinical trials to test new methods of treating ADHD.
Adults with ADHD are most likely to benefit from stimulant medications. But they need to be monitored regularly. This includes monthly clinical appointments and regular examinations of symptoms.
Medicines
There are many medications that can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications are called psychostimulants, and they work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate medication for your needs, and determine the best dosage and timetable. It could take some time to determine the appropriate medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.
The first drug that doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. These medications increase the amount of dopamine found in your brain and norepinephrine, which helps you to control your impulses and focus. They come in short-, intermediateand long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants can last for up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours. Long-acting stimulants last from 8 to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have less side effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting medicines, but they still can cause an increase in appetite and sleepiness.
Nonstimulant medications, like Atomoxetine (Strattera), can be used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause undesirable side consequences. These medications don't alter the levels of norepinephrine or dopamine, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain and improve your ability to focus. These medications are in capsules and can be taken once or twice each day.
adult add treatments with ADHD also have other psychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety. These conditions are referred to as comorbidities and may affect your response to ADHD treatment. It is essential to treat any comorbidities prior to starting treatment for ADHD. People who have a history of addiction to drugs are more likely to use psychostimulants. This is why it's often advisable to wait until a person has quit using substances before considering treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a method of therapy that involves discussing and talking about topics that cause anxiety or are disturbing to a person. The therapist gives advice on the basis of his or her qualifications, experience, training and the philosophy of therapy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues or more long-term (months or years) in which a patient is attempting to resolve more complicated and longstanding issues. The duration and frequency of therapy are determined by the patient and therapist together.
The use of psychotherapy and medications together is an extremely effective treatment option for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their organizational skills, time management and prioritizing; it can also teach strategies to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms, increase concentration and improve academic and work performance.
Adults with ADHD are more likely of co-existing conditions. This is especially true for mood disorders like depression and anxiety. It is crucial that any co-existing conditions be treated before beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types and dosages of medication than those used to treat ADHD.
For example, a person who suffers from ADHD might also be suffering from hypertension. Selecting a medication that addresses the ADHD symptoms, but does not affect the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires understanding how different medications affect people over time and an understanding of the interactions between various medications.
It is essential to find the right professional with whom you share a good relations, and who has experience treating adults with ADHD. It's important to schedule your initial sessions at a time that you aren't distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD often face many life challenges, including relationships and work problems. People with ADHD can also experience anger, frustration and guilt that has been accumulated over time. Psychosocial treatments can aid patients and their families to develop new skills, attitudes and ways of relating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people change their habits and thoughts. It includes goal-setting, skill 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 among adults with ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson et al., 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also need counseling to address specific life issues. These issues could include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, and difficulty coping with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help develop how to handle these situations, improve communication, and enhance problem-solving abilities. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, especially in long-term marriages or other partnerships.
Family therapy and support groups therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that could be used to treat ADHD. These can help families deal with the stress of having a child suffering from ADHD, as well as develop skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It also helps parents recognize the symptoms and develop parenting styles that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
It is essential for people with ADHD to discuss their medications with their health care providers regularly, and to reveal all other medications they're taking, including over-the-counter drugs. Some medications can interact with certain medications or cause adverse reactions that are made worse by other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis is established, it is important to monitor the patient to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of the medication and is not experiencing side effects. It is recommended to consult a patient for the initial clinical assessment within 30 days of starting treatment and every month thereafter. This allows for the proper adjustment of psychostimulants like amphetamines and methylphenidate to a well-tolerated, effective dose. This allows accurate registration of the patients' response and prevents the patient from being a the patient with a sensitive response on doses that are not sufficient.
For adults who are not responding 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 related alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are frequently affected by comorbid conditions, like depression or drug abuse. They might also be suffering from medical conditions like hearing or vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. It is important to screen and assess these conditions as part of the initial evaluation for ADHD because they can have a significant impact on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be treated through marital therapy. Spouses report feeling overburdened with the responsibilities of caring for their spouses who suffer from ADHD and can be angry or resentful due to this. Reducing resentment can be achieved by enhancing the awareness of their condition, and helping them to realize that the symptoms are not caused by a lack in love or willfulness. Couples who go through this type of therapy are more likely to have better functioning families.
Behavioral Therapy
For people who suffer from ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include the cognitive-behavioral aspect. Behavioral therapy helps patients improve their organization skills, focus and control their impulsive behaviors. It helps patients learn to manage their work, social and home life more efficiently. Psychotherapy helps patients to understand how their condition impacts different areas of their life and relationships. This can help alleviate the self-doubt and shame that are often experienced by people with ADHD, who may be viewed as inept or unintelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders can be akin to ADHD symptoms. For instance anxiety disorders are seen at a high rate in adults ADHD patients, and depression is found at higher levels in those suffering from the disorder. The presence of other mental health problems should be assessed according to the need, to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are connected to them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is usually recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that the combination of psychotherapy and medication can produce superior results over either treatment alone. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to track and measure functional improvements such as improved functioning at school, workplace, and interpersonal relationships.