Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adults with adhd includes therapy, medication and support from family members. People can also participate in clinical trials that test new methods of treating ADHD.
Adults with ADHD are the most likely to benefit from stimulant medications. But they need to be closely monitored. This includes regular appointments with a physician and frequent review of symptoms.
Medicines
There are a variety of medications that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are referred to as psychostimulants. They work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will recommend the best medication for you and will decide the best dose and schedule to take it. It could take some time to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.
The first medication that doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. These medications increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which improve your ability to concentrate and manage impulses. The medications are available in short-, medium-- and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants can last for 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medicines last for 8-10 hours. Long-acting stimulants last from 8 to 16. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause side effects than intermediate or shorter-acting medicines. However, they can still cause sleepiness and change in appetite.
treatment for adhd in adults like atomoxetine, (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants don't perform or cause unwanted side effects. These medications don't alter your dopamine or norepinephrine however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain and increase your ability to concentrate. These medicines come in capsules and can be taken once or twice a day.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, including anxiety and depression. These disorders are referred to as comorbidities and may influence how you respond to ADHD treatment. It's important to treat any comorbidities prior to starting treatment for ADHD. For instance, those who have an history of using substances disorder may be more likely to use psychostimulants. For this reason, it's often advisable to wait until a person has stopped using substances before considering treatment with stimulants for ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interaction method of discussing and discussing issues that may be disturbing or troubling to someone. The therapist offers guidance based upon his or her education, experience, credentials and the philosophy of therapy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a couple of weeks or months) or addressing more immediate issues, or long-term. The duration and frequency of treatment is determined by the therapist and the patient together.
The use of psychotherapy and medications together is an extremely effective treatment option for adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their ability to manage their time, organize and prioritizing. It can also teach techniques for managing emotions like anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms, improve focus, and result in better academic and work performance.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing conditions, particularly mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. It is important that any co-existing condition be treated before beginning treatment for ADHD. The treatment of co-existing disorders could require different types of medication and doses than the ones used to treat ADHD.
For example, a person who suffers from ADHD could also be suffering from hypertension. To select a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing destabilization of the patient's hypertension it is crucial to understand how various medications affect individuals over time and the interactions between the medications.
It's important to find a professional with whom you share a an excellent relationship and who has experience treating adults with ADHD. It's also important to schedule your first few sessions during times when you aren't distracted by your family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD have many difficulties in their lives, including problems at work and in relationships. People with ADHD can be prone to anger, frustration and blame that have built up over time. Several psychosocial treatments have been proven to aid them and their families develop new skills, attitudes and ways of connecting.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that assists people in changing their thinking and behavior. It includes goal-setting, skills training and practice, as well as teaching strategies to improve self-esteem and organization. It can be carried out in groups or individually. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms in adults with ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson and colleagues., 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also require counseling to address specific challenges. This could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulties managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can help develop techniques to deal with these situations and increase the ability to communicate and solve problems. It can also help improve interpersonal relationships, especially in marriages or other long-term relationships.
Family therapy and supportive group therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that could be utilized to treat ADHD. These can help families deal with the anxiety of having a child suffering from ADHD and teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can also assist parents to learn about the disorder and develop parenting techniques that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
Adults with ADHD must discuss their medication regularly with their doctor and inform them of any other medications, including over-the drug products. Some medications can interact with specific medications or cause side effects that are worsened by other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis is established, it is essential to monitor the patient to ensure that he or she is receiving the benefits of the medication and is not experiencing side effects. It is recommended to consult patients for initial clinical assessment within 30 days of starting treatment and every month after that. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines, methylphenidate) this enables the gradual titration of an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This allows accurate registration of the patient's reaction and prevents the patient from being a sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
For adults who are not responding well to stimulant medication or suffer from uncontrollable side effects, the use of nonstimulant medication may be indicated. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults with ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring disorders like mood disorder or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. They may also have medical issues like hearing and vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial evaluation for ADHD it is crucial to detect these conditions and assess the severity of them. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments in adults.
ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. Couples often say that they feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses with ADHD and may become resentful and angry in the process. Making the patient aware of the symptoms of his/her illness and helping them understand that these aren't impulsive actions or a lack of love can reduce marital tensions and resentment. Couples who go through this kind of therapy tend to have better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For people who suffer from ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include a cognitive-behavioral component. Behavioral therapy helps patients improve their organizational skills, focus and manage impulsive behavior. It helps patients learn to manage their social, work and home environments more efficiently. Psychotherapy helps patients to understand how their condition affects different aspects of their lives and relationships. This helps reduce the shame and low-esteem that are often felt by adults with ADHD. They might be viewed by others as being lazy or less intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by many psychiatric disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. 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 shown that when a combination of medication and psychotherapy is utilized the results are superior than the results of either treatment alone. Future controlled studies will aim to monitor and evaluate the effects of functional improvement, like improved functioning in school as well as in the workplace and interpersonal relations.