Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment of adhd in adults focuses on medication, therapy and support from family members. People can also participate in clinical trials that test new methods of treating ADHD.
The stimulant medications are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. However, they must be monitored regularly. That includes monthly clinical appointments, and frequent reviews of side effects and symptoms.
Medicines
There are a variety of medications that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are referred to as psychostimulants. they affect the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will select the right medication for you and will decide the best dose and schedule to take it. It could take a while to determine the proper dosage and medication to control your symptoms.
The first drug that doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. These medications increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in your brain, which increase your ability to focus and manage impulses. They come in short-, intermediateand long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last around 6 hours, intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours, and long-acting medicines last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely cause adverse reactions than intermediate or shorter-acting medications. However, they can cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera), are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause undesirable adverse effects. These medications do not alter your dopamine or norepinephrine levels however, they can increase the brain's supply of norepinephrine. They also improve your focus. The capsules are taken one or twice a day.
Some people with ADHD have co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety or depression. These conditions are known as comorbidities and may affect your response to ADHD treatment. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbid issues. For instance, people who have an addiction history to drugs or disorder are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until someone has quit using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves discussing and talking about topics that cause anxiety or are disturbing for a person. The therapist listens and provides guidance based on his or his or her training, education as well as experience, professional credentials and therapeutic theories. adhd in adults treatment can be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with issues that are more immediate or longer-term (months or years) in which a person is working to address more complex and long-standing issues. The therapist and patient decide on the length and frequency of therapy.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication together is a highly effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help individuals improve their time management, organizational skills and prioritizing. It can also teach strategies to manage emotions such as anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms and increase focus, leading to more productive and effective work and academic performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing conditions, particularly mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is essential to treat any co-existing disorders. The treatment of co-existing conditions may require different types of medications and dosages compared to those used to treat ADHD.
A person with ADHD may also be suffering from hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms but doesn't affect the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires understanding how different medications affect individuals over time and an understanding of the interactions between different medications.
adhd treatments adults is important to choose a therapist with whom you have a good relationship, and who has experience treating adults with ADHD. It's important to schedule your initial sessions at times when you will not be distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD often face many issues in their lives, including work and relationship problems. They may also experience anger, blame and frustration that have accumulated in their lives due to their symptoms. Psychosocial treatments can aid patients and their families to develop new abilities, attitudes and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy that assists individuals change their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, as well as methods of teaching to improve organization and self-esteem. This can be accomplished individually or in a group. Metacognitive therapy has proven to significantly reduce symptoms among adults suffering from ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson, et al. 2002).
Some people with ADHD may also require counseling to help them overcome certain life issues. These could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulties managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can help teach skills to manage these situations, improve communication, and enhance problem-solving abilities. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, especially in long-term marriages or other relationships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy as well as supportive group therapy. These can help families cope with the anxiety of having a child who has ADHD and develop skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can help 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 medication with their healthcare providers regularly, and to inform them of any other medications they're taking, including prescription drugs. Some medications can cause adverse effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis is made it is important to monitor the patient to ensure that they are receiving the benefits of the medication and not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended that patients be examined for initial clinical monitoring within 30 days of initiating treatment and then every month thereafter. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines) this enables the gradual titration of an effective dose that is well-tolerated. This permits accurate recording of the patient's response and prevents the patient from being a the patient with a sensitive response on doses that are not sufficient.
Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medication or suffer from side effects that are intolerable may benefit from nonstimulant medications. This usually involves the use atomoxetine or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults who suffer from ADHD typically suffer from comorbid disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. Additionally, they may suffer from chronic sleep disorders or medical issues like hearing and vision disorders. It is important to screen and analyze these conditions in the initial assessment for ADHD since these can have significant impact on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be treated through marital therapy. Couples complain of being overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses with ADHD and may be angry or resentful in response. Reduced resentment can be achieved by enhancing the understanding of his/her condition, and helping them to realize that the symptoms aren't the result of a lack in love or willfulness. Couples who go through this type of therapy tend to have better functioning families.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD is usually advised. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy helps patients learn to improve their ability to organize their lives, focus and control an impulsive behaviour. It teaches patients to manage their home, work, and social situations in more productive ways. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition affects different aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help alleviate the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that is commonly seen in people with ADHD, who may be viewed as lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by a variety of mental disorders. For example anxiety disorders are seen at high rates in adults ADHD patients, and depression is found at higher levels in people suffering from the disorder. The presence of other mental health problems should be assessed according to the need, to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are related to 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 produces superior results over either treatment alone. Future controlled studies will aim to measure and assess improvements in functional performance, for example, improvement in school performance as well as in the workplace and interpersonal relationships.