Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adhd in adults includes therapy, medication and family support. People can also participate in clinical trials to try new methods of treating ADHD.
Adults with ADHD are the most likely to benefit from stimulant medication. They require monitoring regularly. This means monthly appointments with a doctor and regular reviews of symptoms.
Medicines
Many medications can be used to alleviate symptoms of ADHD among 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 choose the appropriate medication for you and will decide on the most appropriate dosage and schedule. It may take a while to determine the appropriate medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.
Stimulants are usually the first medication doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD. These medicines increase the amounts of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which increase your ability to focus and manage impulses. They come in short-, intermediateand long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants can last for 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medicines last for 8-10 hours. Long-acting drugs can last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer negative effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medicines, but they can still cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant medications, like Atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause undesirable adverse side consequences. These medicines do not affect the levels of norepinephrine or dopamine, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine that's available to your brain, and improve your ability to concentrate. These medications are available in capsules and are taken either twice or three times every day.
Some people with ADHD suffer from co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. These are known as comorbid disorders and they can impact how you respond to treatment for ADHD. It's important to treat any comorbidities prior to starting treatment for ADHD. For instance, people who have a history of substance use disorder may be more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves discussing and discussing issues that are troubling or disturbing to a person. The therapist listens to the person and provides advice based on her education, training and experience professional credentials and therapeutic philosophies. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues, or long-term (months or years) where a person is working on more complex and long-standing issues. The patient and therapist decide on the length and frequency of treatment.
The use of psychotherapy and medications together is an extremely effective treatment option for adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their ability to manage their time, organize and prioritizing; it can also teach techniques for managing emotions like anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and increase focus, leading to more effective and efficient academic and work.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have co-existing disorders, including mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing disorders. The treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types of medication and doses than those prescribed to treat ADHD.
A person with ADHD can also have hypertension. To pick a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms without causing destabilization of the patient's hypertension it is essential to know how different medications affect people over time and the interactions between the medications.
It is essential to find a professional with whom you share a a good relationship, and who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to schedule your initial sessions at a time that you won't be distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD often face many problems in their lives, such as work and relationship problems. People with ADHD can also experience anger, frustration and blame that has developed over time. Several psychosocial treatments have been proven to help them and their families develop new attitudes, skills and ways of relating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type psychotherapy that helps people alter their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, skill training and practice, and teaching strategies to improve self-esteem and organization. It can be done in a private or in a group setting. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms in adults with ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson, et al., 2002).
Some people with ADHD might also require counseling to help them overcome certain life issues. These challenges may include family conflicts, aggressive or impulsive behaviors, or difficulty in dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help teach skills to manage these situations, improve communication and increase problem-solving capabilities. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, especially in marriages or other long-term partnerships.
Family therapy and supportive groups therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that can be utilized to treat ADHD. These therapies can help families cope and develop skills to lessen conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child suffering from ADHD. It can assist parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting strategies that encourage positive outcomes in their children.
It is important for people with ADHD to discuss their medications with their health care providers regularly, and to disclose any other medications they're taking, including over-the-counter drugs. Some medications can interact with certain medications or trigger side effects that are worsened by other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis, it is crucial to monitor the patient's condition to ensure that he/she receives the benefits of the medication and doesn't experience side negative effects. It is recommended that patients be examined for a first clinical examination within 30 days of beginning treatment and then every month following that. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this enables the gradual titration of an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This permits accurate recording of the patients' response and helps to avoid keeping 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 medications may be indicated. treating add is usually the case with the methylphenidate based atomoxetine alternatives.
Adults with ADHD are often affected by comorbid disorders like depression or drug abuse. They might also be suffering from medical issues like hearing and vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial evaluation for ADHD it is crucial to detect these conditions and assess their severity. These conditions could have a significant impact on functional impairments in adults.
Marital therapy can also be beneficial in managing ADHD. Many spouses report that they are overwhelmed by the responsibilities to care for their spouses with ADHD and can become resentful and angry in the process. increasing the awareness of the patient about the symptoms of his/her illness and helping to understand that these are not willful actions or a lack of affection can help reduce marital conflict and resentment. Couples who go through this kind of therapy usually experience improved family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD is typically suggested. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their organizational skills, focus and control the impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their work, home, and social situations more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their disorder impacts various 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 perceived by others as lazy or inexperienced.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by many mental disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. The presence of other psychiatric problems should be evaluated in order to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are linked to them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is typically recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been established that the combination of psychotherapy with medication can produce better results than either treatment on its own. Future controlled studies must attempt to track and measure the improvement in functional aspects such as improved performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.