Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adults with adhd is based on therapy, medication and support from family members. Clinical trials are available to test the effectiveness of new treatments for ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are the most likely to benefit from stimulant medication. They require monitoring regularly. This includes regular appointments with a physician and regular examinations of symptoms.
Medications
There are a variety of medications that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in 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 appropriate medication for you and will decide on the most appropriate dosage and schedule. It could take some time to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that control your symptoms.
Stimulants are typically the first prescription medication doctors recommend for adults with ADHD. treatment for adults with add increase the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which enhances your ability to focus and manage impulses. These medications are available in short-, medium-- and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants last for about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medicines last between 8 and 10 hours, while long-acting medications last for up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer side effects than shorterand 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 unpleasant adverse side consequences. These medicines don't affect your dopamine or norepinephrine, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain, and improve your ability to concentrate. These capsules are taken once or twice a day.
Some adults with ADHD suffer from co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. These disorders are referred to as comorbidities, and they can affect your response to ADHD treatment. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbidities. For instance, people who have a history of substance use disorder are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a method of therapy that involves talking and discussing topics that cause anxiety or are disturbing to the person. The therapist gives advice on the basis of his or her training, experience, credentials and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy could be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with more immediate challenges or more long-term (months or years) where a person is working to address more complicated and longstanding issues. The patient and therapist determine the length and frequency of therapy.
Psychotherapy and medication together are an extremely effective way to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy helps people improve their organizational skills, time management and prioritizing. It can also teach strategies for managing emotions like anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms, improve focus and lead to better work and academic performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a higher risk of co-existing conditions. This is especially relevant for mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is essential to treat any co-existing condition. The treatment of co-existing disorders could require different types of medications and dosages compared to the ones used to treat ADHD.
A person with ADHD may also suffer from hypertension. To select a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing instability to the patient's hypertension, it is important to understand how various medications affect people over time as well as the interactions between medications.
It's important to find a professional with whom you share a good relations, and who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. It's also important to arrange your first few sessions when you aren't distracted by your family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD face many challenges in their lives, including difficulties in their relationships and at work. People with ADHD can also experience anger, frustration and blame that have been accumulated over time. Numerous psychosocial therapies have been proven to aid them and their families learn new skills, attitudes and ways of relating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type psychotherapy that helps people alter their thinking and behavior. It involves setting goals, training and the practice of skills, as well as strategies for teaching that help improve organization and self-esteem. This can be accomplished individually or in a group. Metacognitive therapy has proven to significantly reduce symptoms in adults suffering from ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson and colleagues., 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also need counseling to address specific issues. This could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulties dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help teach strategies to manage these situations, improve communication, and improve problem-solving skills. It can also enhance relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term partnerships.
Other forms of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These therapies can assist families in coping and learn skills to reduce conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child suffering from ADHD. It also helps parents understand the disorder and develop parenting strategies that promote positive outcomes for their children.
It is crucial for adults with ADHD to discuss their medications with their health care professionals regularly, and to disclose all other medications they are taking, including any over-the-counter medications. Certain medications can cause side effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis, it is important to monitor the patient to ensure that he/she receives the benefits of the medication and does not experience any adverse side effects. It is recommended to visit patients for initial medical monitoring within 30 days of starting treatment and every month after that. This will allow for an accurate titration of psychostimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, to a well-tolerated and effective dose. This permits accurate recording 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 do not respond adequately to stimulant medication or have intolerable side effects the use of nonstimulant medications may be indicated. This is usually the case with the methylphenidate based atomoxetine alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually affected by comorbid conditions, like depression or drug abuse. They may also suffer from medical conditions like hearing or vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD it is crucial to detect for these conditions and then evaluate their severity. These conditions could have a significant impact on functional impairments in adults.
ADHD can also be treated through marital therapy. Spouses report feeling overburdened with the caretaking duties of their spouses with ADHD, and can be angry or resentful as a consequence. The way to reduce resentment is by enhancing the patient's understanding of his/her illness, and helping 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 generally recommended. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy assists patients in improving their organizational skills, focus, and control impulsive behaviors. It helps patients manage their home, work and social settings in more productive ways. Psychotherapy also helps patients understand how their condition affects various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help reduce the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are commonly seen in adults with ADHD. They might be viewed by others as lazy or inexperienced.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by various psychiatric disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders and depression. If it is necessary, the presence of other mental disorders should be assessed to determine if ADHD symptoms are caused by them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that a combination of psychotherapy and medication can produce superior results over either treatment by itself. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to measure and track the effects of functional improvements, such as better performance at work, school and interpersonal relationships.