Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adhd in adults is based on therapy, medication and support from family members. People can also participate in clinical trials that test new ways of treating ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to benefit from stimulant medications. They need to be monitored regularly. This includes monthly appointments with a doctor and regular reviews of side effects and symptoms.
Medications
There are many drugs that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications are called psychostimulants. They work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will choose the most appropriate medication for your needs and will determine the most effective dosage and timetable. It may take some time to determine the proper dosage and medication to control your symptoms.
Stimulants are usually the first prescription medication doctors recommend to adults suffering from ADHD. These medicines increase the amounts of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which enhances your ability to concentrate and manage impulses. The medications are available in short-, medium-- and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants can last for up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours. Long-acting drugs can last up to 16. Long-acting stimulants have fewer negative effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting medicines, but they still can cause an increase in appetite and sleepiness.
Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera), are used to treat adults with ADHD in cases where stimulants don't work or cause undesirable side effects. These medicines don't affect your dopamine or norepinephrine however they increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain and increase your ability to concentrate. These medicines come in capsules and can be taken twice or once every day.
Some adults with ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, like anxiety and depression. These are called comorbid conditions and they can influence how you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbidities. For instance, those who have an history of using substances disorder are more likely to use psychostimulants. It is best to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interaction process of discussing and talking about things that can be troubling or troubling to someone. The therapist listens to the person and provides advice based on her education, training and experience as well as professional qualifications and therapeutic philosophical philosophies. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues or more long-term (months or years) in which a person is working on more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of treatment is determined by the therapist and patient together.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication is an extremely effective way to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people 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, increase focus, and result in better academic and work performance.
Adults suffering from ADHD have a higher risk of having co-existing disorders. This is particularly true for mood disorders like depression and anxiety. It is crucial that any co-existing condition be addressed prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different forms and dosages of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a patient who suffers from ADHD could also be suffering from hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms, but does not alter the patient's hypertension that is controlled requires understanding how different medications affect individuals over time and an understanding of the interactions between various medications.
It is essential to find a therapist who has had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you are at ease. It is crucial to schedule your initial sessions at times when you will not be distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD often face many life challenges, including relationships and work issues. The person who has ADHD might also experience anger, frustration and blame that has built up over time. Numerous psychosocial therapies have been proven effective in helping them and their families develop new attitudes, skills and ways of connecting.
Psychotherapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy that aids individuals to change their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, training and practice of skills, as well as methods of teaching to improve self-esteem and organizational skills. It may be done in individual or group sessions. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms in adults with ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson and colleagues., 2002).
Some people with ADHD may also require therapy to help them overcome specific life challenges. These could include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behavior, or difficulty dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help you develop the techniques to deal with these situations and increase communication and problem-solving skills. It can also improve relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term partnerships.
untreated adhd in adults of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy as well as supportive group therapy. These therapies can assist families in coping and improve their skills to manage conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child who has ADHD. It also helps parents learn about the disorder and develop parenting strategies that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their physicians and inform them of any other medications, including over-the prescription drugs. Some medications can interact with specific medications or cause adverse effects that are exacerbated by other medicines.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis is made it is crucial to monitor the patient to ensure that they are receiving the benefits of the medication and is not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended that a patient be examined for an initial medical check-up within 30 days of beginning treatment and monthly thereafter. This permits an accurate 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 helps to avoid having sensitive patients remain on insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses to excessively high levels (rapid metabolizers).
Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medication or suffer from unwanted side effects that are difficult to tolerate may benefit from nonstimulant medications. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine or other related methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. They may also suffer from medical problems like hearing and vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. It is important to screen and analyze these conditions in the initial evaluation for ADHD since these can have significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
Marital therapy is also useful in the management of ADHD. spouses feel overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses with ADHD, and can become angry or resentful as a consequence. Making the patient aware of the symptoms of his/her condition and helping them understand that these aren't impulsive actions or lack of affection can reduce marital tensions and resentment. Couples who undergo this type of therapy tend to have better functioning families.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD is generally recommended. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy can help patients improve their organizational skills, focus and manage impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their work, social and home life more effectively. Psychotherapy assists patients in understanding how their condition impacts different areas of their life and relationships. treatment for add can help alleviate the shame and low self-esteem that is often seen in adults with ADHD who are viewed as inept or unintelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by many mental disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety. If it is necessary, the presence of other mental disorders should be evaluated to determine whether ADHD symptoms are a result of them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that the combination of psychotherapy and medication can produce better results than either treatment by itself. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to measure and track functional improvements such as improved performance at work, school and interpersonal relationships.