Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment of adhd in adults focuses on medication, therapy and support from family members. Clinical trials are available to test the effectiveness of new treatments for ADHD.
Stimulant medication is the most effective medications for adults with ADHD. However, they must be closely monitored. This means monthly appointments with a doctor and regular reviews of symptoms.
Medicines
Numerous medications can be used to reduce the symptoms of ADHD among adults. These are called psychostimulants and they alter the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will choose the best medication for you and determine the most appropriate dosage and time to take it. It could take some time to determine the appropriate medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.
The first drug that doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. They increase the amount of dopamine found in your brain, and also norepinephrine which aids in controlling your impulses and keep your focus. These medications are available in short-, medium- and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants can last for 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medicines last for 8-10 hours. Long-acting stimulants last from 8 to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have less side effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting drugs, however they can still cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant medications, like Atomoxetine (Strattera), can be used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause undesirable side negative effects. These medicines do not affect your dopamine or norepinephrine however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine that's available to your brain and increase your ability to concentrate. These capsules are consumed once or two times a day.
Certain adults who suffer from ADHD suffer from co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety. These disorders are referred to as comorbidities and may affect how you respond to ADHD treatment. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbid issues. For instance, those who have an addiction history to drugs or disorder may be more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until a person has quit using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a method of therapy that involves talking and discussing topics that cause anxiety or are disturbing for a person. The therapist listens to the person and provides guidance based on his or his or her training, education, experience professional credentials and therapeutic philosophical philosophies. Psychotherapy could be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with more immediate challenges or longer-term (months or years) where a person is attempting to resolve more complex and long-standing issues. The therapist and the patient determine the duration and frequency of therapy.
The use of psychotherapy and drugs together is an extremely effective treatment for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their time management, organizational skills and prioritizing. It can also teach techniques to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and improve concentration, which results in more productive and effective academic and work performance.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to be affected by co-existing disorders, including mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Before starting treatment for ADHD, it is important to treat any co-existing conditions. The treatment of co-existing conditions could require different types of medications and dosages than those that are used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a person who suffers from ADHD could also be suffering from hypertension. To choose a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing instability to the patient's hypertension, it is important to understand how various medications affect individuals over time and the interactions between medications.
It's important that you choose a therapist with experience treating adults with ADHD and with whom you feel comfortable. It is also crucial to schedule your initial sessions in a time when you aren't distracted by your family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD face a variety of challenges in their lives, including problems in their relationships and at work. They may also experience anger, blame and frustration that have accumulated in their lives due to their symptoms. Psychosocial treatments can help patients and their families to develop new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating.
Psychotherapy can include cognitive behavior therapy, a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals modify their thinking and behavior. It includes goal-setting, skills training and practice, as well as methods to help improve self-esteem and organization. It may be done in group or individual sessions. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms among adults with ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson et al. 2002).
Some people with ADHD may also require therapy to help them overcome particular life challenges. These may include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulties managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can help develop how to handle these situations, improve communication, and enhance problem-solving abilities. It can also help improve relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term partnerships.
Family therapy and supportive groups therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that could be utilized to treat ADHD. These therapies can help families cope and improve their skills to manage conflict and improve communication when dealing with children who have ADHD. It can also help parents recognize the symptoms and develop parenting styles that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
It is essential for people suffering from ADHD to discuss their medication with their health care professionals regularly, and to inform them of all other medications they're taking, including any over-the-counter medications. Some medications can cause adverse effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough assessment and diagnosis, it is crucial to monitor the patient to ensure that he/she reaps the benefits of the medication and does not experience any adverse side effects. It is recommended that patients be referred for initial clinical monitoring within 30 days of initiating treatment, and every month thereafter. In treating adult add of psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines) this enables complete titration to an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's reaction and helps to avoid the patient from being kept on doses that are not sufficient (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses on excessively high levels (rapid metabolizers).
Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medication or who have adverse effects that are unpalatable could benefit from non-stimulant medications. This typically involves the use of the methylphenidate based atomoxetine alternatives.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are frequently affected by comorbid conditions, like depression or drug abuse. Moreover, they may have chronic sleep disturbances or medical issues such as hearing and vision problems. It is important to screen and evaluate such conditions in the initial evaluation for ADHD since these can have significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be treated through marital therapy. spouses feel overwhelmed by the caretaking duties of their spouses suffering from ADHD and can become resentful or angry due to this. Reducing resentment can be achieved by increasing the patient's understanding of the condition, and assisting them understand that the symptoms are not due to an absence of love or willfulness. Couples who go through this kind of therapy generally experience a better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is usually suggested. It should include a cognitive and behavioral component. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their abilities to manage their time, focus and control the impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their work, home, and social situations in more productive ways. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their disorder impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help alleviate the shame and low self-esteem that is often seen in adults with ADHD who are considered lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by various mental disorders. For example anxiety disorders are found at a high rate in adult ADHD patients and depression is seen at higher levels in people suffering from the disorder. The presence of any other psychiatric problems should be assessed, as appropriate, to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are linked to them.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated with a combination of pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy. It has been established that the combination of psychotherapy and medication can produce better results than either therapy by itself. treating adults with adhd should attempt to track and measure functional improvements such as improved performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.