Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults suffering from adhd are treated with medication, therapy and support from the family. Clinical trials are available to test the effectiveness of new treatments for ADHD.
Adults with ADHD are the most likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. They need to be monitored regularly. This includes monthly appointments with a doctor, and frequent reviews of side effects and symptoms.
Medications
Many medications can be used to alleviate symptoms of ADHD among adults. These are known as psychostimulants. They work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will select a medication that's right for you and determine the most effective dose and time to take it. It may take a while to find the right dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.
The first medication that doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. These medications increase the amount of dopamine found in your brain and norepinephrine which aids in controlling your thoughts and keep your focus. These medicines are available in short-, mediumand long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last around 6 hours, intermediate-acting medicines last 8-10 hours, and long-acting medicines last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer adverse effects than shorterand intermediate-acting drugs, however they can still cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unwanted adverse side negative effects. These medicines don't affect your norepinephrine or dopamine levels however they increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain, and improve your ability to concentrate. These capsules are consumed once or two times a day.
Some adults with ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, like anxiety and depression. These are called comorbid conditions and they can impact how you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbidities. For instance, those who have a history of substance use disorder may be more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before using stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interactive process of talking and discussing issues that may be disturbing or troubling to someone. The therapist listens and offers guidance based on her education, training as well as experience as well as professional qualifications and therapeutic philosophical philosophies. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with more immediate challenges or more long-term (months or years) in which a patient is working on more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of treatment is determined by the therapist and patient together.
The use of psychotherapy and drugs together is an extremely effective treatment for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their organizational skills, time management and prioritizing; it can also teach methods to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms, increase concentration and improve academic and work performance.
Adults with ADHD have a higher likelihood of co-existing illnesses. This is especially applicable to mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is essential to treat any co-existing disorders. Treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types and doses of medication than the ones used to treat ADHD.
A person who suffers from ADHD may also be suffering from hypertension. To choose a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing destabilization of the patient's hypertension it is crucial to understand how different medications affect people in the course of time, as well as the interactions between the medications.
It's crucial to locate a therapist who has experience treating adults with ADHD and with whom you feel comfortable. It is important to schedule your initial sessions at times when you will not be distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD typically face a variety of issues in their lives, including relationships and work issues. They also may 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 skills, attitudes and ways of communicating.
Psychotherapy can include cognitive behavior therapy, a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals modify their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, training and practice of skills, and strategies for teaching that help improve organization and self-esteem. It can be done in a private or in a group. Certain studies have demonstrated that treatment for metacognitive disorders can reduce symptoms and improve functioning in adults with ADHD (Stevenson and colleagues 2002).
Some people with ADHD might also require counseling to help them overcome specific life issues. adhd untreated in adults could include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, or difficulty dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help develop strategies to manage these situations, improve communication and increase problem-solving capabilities. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, especially in long-term marriages or other partnerships.
Family therapy and supportive group therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that can be utilized to treat ADHD. These therapies can help families cope and develop skills to lessen conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child who has ADHD. It can help parents understand the condition and develop parenting strategies that encourage positive outcomes in their children.
It is important for adults with ADHD to discuss their medications with their health care providers regularly, and to inform them of all other medications they're taking, including over-the-counter drugs. Certain medications can interact with specific medications or cause adverse reactions that are made worse by other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis is established, it is crucial that the patient is monitored to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of medication and not experiencing side effects. It is recommended that a patient be examined for a first clinical examination within 30 days of beginning treatment, and every month thereafter. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines, methylphenidate) this allows for a complete titration to an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This permits accurate recording of the patient's reaction and helps to avoid keeping a patients who are sensitive to doses that are too low.
For adults who are not responding effectively to stimulant medications or experience uncontrollable side effects the use of nonstimulant medication may be indicated. This usually involves the use the methylphenidate based atomoxetine alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD often have comorbid disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. Moreover, they may have chronic sleep disturbances or medical issues like vision and hearing disorders. It is important to screen and analyze these conditions as part of the initial assessment for ADHD because they can have a significant impact on functional impairment in adults.
Marital therapy can be helpful in managing ADHD. Spouses report feeling overburdened with the caretaking duties of their spouses suffering from ADHD and can become resentful or angry in response. Increasing the patient's awareness of the symptoms of his/her condition and helping to understand that these are not willful actions or a lack of affection can help to reduce resentment and marital difficulties. Couples who go through this type of therapy usually experience improved family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is typically suggested. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy helps patients improve their organization skills, focus, and control impulsive behaviors. It helps patients learn to manage their social, work and home environments more effectively. Psychotherapy also helps patients understand how their condition affects different areas of their lives and relationships. This can help reduce the shame and low-esteem that are often felt by people with ADHD. They may be viewed by others as being lazy or less intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders mimic ADHD symptoms. For example anxiety disorders are found at a high rate in adult ADHD patients, and depression is found at higher levels in those suffering from the disorder. The presence of any other psychiatric problems should be assessed, as appropriate, to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are connected to them.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated with the combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been shown that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is employed the results are superior than treatment on its own. Future controlled studies must attempt to track and measure the improvement in functional aspects such as improved functioning at school, workplace, and interpersonal relationships.