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 medications are the most effective medications for adults with ADHD. However, they must be closely monitored. This includes regular clinical appointments, and frequent reviews of side effects and symptoms.
Medicines
A variety of medications can be utilized to treat symptoms of ADHD among adults. These medications are called psychostimulants. They work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will select the best medication for you and will decide the most effective dose and time to take it. It may take a while to find the right medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.
Stimulants are usually the first prescription medication doctors recommend for adults suffering from ADHD. These medications increase the amount of dopamine in your brain and norepinephrine which allows you to manage your thoughts and keep your focus. They come in short-, intermediateand long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants can last for 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours. Long-acting drugs last up to 16. Long-acting stimulants have fewer adverse effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting medicines, but they still cause insomnia and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medications do not alter your norepinephrine or dopamine, but they increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine. They also improve your focus. These medications are in capsules and can be taken once or twice a day.
Some people with ADHD suffer from co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. These conditions are known as comorbidities and may influence how you respond to ADHD treatment. It is essential to treat any comorbid conditions before starting treatment for ADHD. People who have a history of substance abuse disorders are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves discussing and discussing issues that cause distress or anxiety to a person. The therapist offers guidance based upon his or her training, experience, credentials and the philosophy of therapy. Psychotherapy can be short-term, (a few weeks or even months) and can address more immediate issues, or longer-term. The patient and therapist decide on the length and frequency of treatment.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication is a highly effective way to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can assist people improve their time management, organizational skills and prioritizing. It can also teach methods to manage emotions like anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and increase focus, which leads to more effective and efficient work and academic performance.
Adults suffering from ADHD have a higher likelihood of having co-existing disorders. This is particularly relevant for mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. It is important that any co-existing disorders be treated prior to starting treatment for ADHD. Treatment of co-existing disorders could require different types and doses of medication than those used to treat ADHD.
A person who suffers from ADHD may also be suffering from hypertension. To pick a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms without causing destabilization of the hypertension of the patient it is crucial to know how different medications affect people over time as well as the interactions between the medications.
It's important to find an therapist with whom you have a good relationship, and who is experienced in treating adults suffering from ADHD. It's important to schedule your first few sessions at a time when you aren't distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD face many challenges in their lives, such as issues at work and in relationships. The person who has ADHD might be prone to anger, frustration and blame that have built up over time. Psychosocial therapies can aid patients and their families develop new abilities, attitudes and ways of relating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that assists people in changing their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, and methods of teaching to improve self-esteem and organizational skills. This can be accomplished individually or in a group setting. Metacognitive therapy has proven to significantly reduce symptoms among adults suffering from ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson and colleagues., 2002).
treat adult adhd with ADHD may also require counseling to help them overcome specific life challenges. These challenges may include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, and difficulty coping with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help develop strategies to help deal with these situations and enhance communication and problem-solving abilities. It can also enhance relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Other forms of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy as well as 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 can aid parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting methods that encourage positive outcomes in their children.
It is important for people with ADHD to discuss their medication with their health care providers regularly, and to inform them of all other medications they're taking, including any over-the-counter medications. Certain medications may interact with certain medications or trigger adverse effects that are exacerbated by other medicines.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis, it is crucial to monitor the patient's progress to ensure that the patient 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 beginning treatment, and then every month following that. This will allow for the proper titration of psychostimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, to a well-tolerated and effective dose. This permits accurate recording of the patient's reaction and assists in avoiding keeping sensitive patients taking insufficient doses (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses to unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medications or suffer from side effects that are intolerable may benefit from nonstimulant medications. Most often, this is the use of atomoxetine, or other related alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have comorbid disorders like mood disorder or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. In addition, they may experience chronic sleep disturbances or medical issues such as hearing and vision disorders. It is important to screen and assess these conditions as part of the initial evaluation for ADHD because they can have a significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
Marital therapy is also useful in the management of ADHD. spouses feel overwhelmed by the caretaking duties of their spouses suffering from ADHD, and can become resentful or angry in response. Reducing 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 an absence of willfulness or love. Couples who go through this kind of therapy typically experience better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is usually suggested. It should include a cognitive and behavioral component. Behavioral therapy helps patients learn to improve their organizational skills and focus and control their impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their social, work, and home situations more efficiently. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their disorder affects different areas of their lives and relationships. This can help alleviate the shame and low self-esteem that are often experienced by people with ADHD, who may be viewed as lazy or less intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by various psychiatric disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. The presence of other mental health issues should be analyzed, as appropriate, to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are linked to them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is utilized results are more favorable than treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies will try to measure and assess improvements in functional performance, for example, better functioning at school or at work, as well as interpersonal relations.