Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adults with adhd focuses on medication, therapy and family support. Individuals can also take part in clinical trials that test new methods of treating ADHD.
Stimulant medications are the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD. But they need to be closely monitored. This includes monthly clinical appointments and frequent examinations of symptoms.
Medicines
A variety of medications can be utilized to alleviate symptoms of ADHD among adults. These are referred to as psychostimulants. They function by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will choose the best medication for you and determine the best dose and schedule to take it. It may take a while to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that is able to control your symptoms.
Stimulants are usually the first prescribed medication by doctors for adults suffering from ADHD. These medications increase the amount of dopamine in your brain and norepinephrine, which aids in controlling your impulses and focus. These medicines are available in short-, medium-and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last around 6 hours, intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours, and long-acting medicines last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause side effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting drugs, however they still cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD in cases where stimulants don't work or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medications do not alter your norepinephrine or dopamine, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine, which improves your ability to concentrate. These capsules are consumed once or twice a day.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD also have other psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression. These conditions are referred to as comorbidities and may affect your response to ADHD treatment. It's important to treat any comorbid disorders prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. People who have a history of substance abuse disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It is recommended to wait until someone has stopped using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves discussing and discussing issues that cause anxiety or are disturbing for a person. treat adult adhd 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 couple of weeks or months) and can address more immediate issues, or longer-term. The therapist and patient determine the duration and frequency of treatment.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication is an extremely effective method to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help individuals improve their time management, organizational skills, and prioritizing. It can also teach methods to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms and increase focus, which leads to more efficient and successful academic and work performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing disorders, including mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. It is important that any co-existing condition be treated prior to starting treatment for ADHD. The treatment of co-existing conditions might require different kinds of medication and doses than those prescribed to treat ADHD.
A person suffering from ADHD may also suffer from hypertension. To pick a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms without causing instability to the patient's hypertension it is essential to know how different medications affect individuals over time and the interactions between the medications.
It's crucial to choose a therapist with expertise in treating adults with ADHD and with whom you feel comfortable. It's also important to arrange your initial sessions in a time when you aren't distracted by family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD face a variety of challenges in their lives, such as problems in their relationships and at work. A person with ADHD may also experience anger, frustration and blame that has been accumulated over time. Psychosocial treatments can aid patients and their families to develop new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating.
Psychotherapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy that aids individuals to change their behavior and thinking. It involves setting goals, training and the practice of skills, as well as teaching strategies for improving self-esteem and organization. It may be done in group or individual sessions. Some studies have shown that metacognitive treatment can significantly reduce symptoms and improve functioning in adults with ADHD (Stevenson and colleagues, 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD require counseling to deal with specific life issues. These could include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behavior, or difficulty managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can help teach how to handle these situations, improve communication, and improve problem-solving skills. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term partnerships.
Family therapy and supportive group therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that could be utilized to treat ADHD. These can assist families to cope with the anxiety of having a child with ADHD, as well as help improve communication and reduce conflict. It can assist parents understand the disorder, and develop parenting techniques that promote positive outcomes for their children.
It is crucial for people suffering from ADHD to discuss their medications with their health care providers regularly, and to disclose all other medications they are taking, including any over-the-counter medications. Certain medications may interact with certain medications or cause side effects that are worsened by other medicines.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis, it is essential to monitor the patient to ensure that the patient receives the benefits of the medication and does not experience any adverse side effects. It is recommended to see the patient for the initial medical monitoring within 30 days of beginning treatment and every month after that. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this allows for a complete titration to an effective and well-tolerated dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response and helps avoid keeping the patient with a sensitive response on doses that are not sufficient.
Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medication or have side effects that are intolerable might benefit from non-stimulant drugs. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD often have comorbid disorders like mood disorder or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. They might also be suffering from medical problems like hearing and vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD it is essential to identify these conditions and assess their severity. These conditions can have a significant impact on functional impairments in adults.
Marital therapy can also be beneficial in managing ADHD. Many spouses report that they feel overburdened by the responsibilities to care for their spouses with ADHD and may become resentful and angry in the process. increasing the awareness of the patient about the symptoms of his/her condition and helping to understand that these aren't impulsive actions or lack of love can reduce marital tensions and resentment. Couples who go through this kind of therapy tend to have better functioning families.
Behavioral Therapy
For people who suffer from ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include an element of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy helps patients learn to improve their abilities to manage their time, focus and control impulsive behavior. It teaches patients to manage their work, home, and social situations in more productive ways. Psychotherapy assists patients in understanding how their condition impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help alleviate the self-doubt and shame that is often seen in adults with ADHD who are thought of as lazy or less intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders may mimic ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. If needed the presence of other mental disorders should be analyzed to determine if ADHD symptoms are caused by them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated using a combination of pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy. It has been established that a combination of psychotherapy and medication can produce superior results over either treatment by itself. Future controlled medication studies will attempt to monitor and evaluate functional improvements, such as better functioning at school as well as in the workplace and interpersonal relations.