Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adults with adhd includes therapy, medication and family support. Clinical trials are available to test new treatments for ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are the most likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. They must be monitored regularly. This includes regular clinical appointments as well as frequent reviews of symptoms and side effects.
Medicines
There are a variety of medications that can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications are called psychostimulants, and they work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will select the appropriate medication for you, and determine the best dosage and schedule. It may take some time to find the right dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.
Stimulants are typically the first prescription medication doctors recommend for adults suffering from ADHD. These medicines increase the amounts of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which improve your ability to focus and control impulses. They come in short-, intermediate-and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants can last up to up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours. Long-acting drugs can last up to 16. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause negative effects than shorterand intermediate-acting medications, but they still cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera), are used to treat adult ADHD in cases where stimulants don't work or cause undesirable side effects. These medications don't affect your dopamine or norepinephrine levels however they do increase the brain's supply of norepinephrine. They also improve your concentration. These medications are available in capsule form and are taken once or twice every day.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, including anxiety and depression. These are referred to as comorbid conditions and they can impact the way you respond to treatment for ADHD. It is essential to treat any comorbid conditions before starting treatment for ADHD. For instance, those who have a history of substance use disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until someone has quit using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interaction process of discussing and talking about issues that may be disturbing or troubling for a person. The therapist provides guidance based upon his or her qualifications, experience, training 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 duration and frequency of therapy.
The use of psychotherapy and medications together is an extremely effective treatment option for adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their time management, organizational skills, and prioritizing. It can also teach methods to manage emotions like anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms and improve focus, which leads to more effective and efficient academic and work performance.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to be affected by co-existing conditions, particularly mood disorders like depression and anxiety. It is important that any co-existing condition be treated prior to starting treatment for ADHD. The treatment of co-existing disorders could require different types of medication and doses than those 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 destabilize the patient's hypertension that is controlled requires knowledge of how various medications affect people over time and an understanding of the interactions between medications.
It's important to find the right professional with whom you share a an excellent relationship and who is experienced in treating adults suffering from ADHD. It is also crucial 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 face many challenges in their lives, such as problems at work and in relationships. They also may experience anger, blame, and frustration that have accumulated in their lives because of their symptoms. Several psychosocial treatments have been proven effective in helping their families and patients learn new attitudes, skills and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals change their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, skill training and practice, as well as methods of teaching to improve self-esteem and organization. This can be accomplished individually or in a group setting. Metacognitive therapy has been proven to significantly reduce symptoms in adults with ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson, et al., 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also require counseling to address specific life difficulties. These may include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behaviors, or difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help develop skills to help manage these situations and improve communication and problem-solving abilities. It can also improve relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term partnerships.
Family therapy and supportive groups therapy are also types of psychotherapy that could be utilized to treat ADHD. These can assist families to cope with the anxiety of having a child who has ADHD and develop skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can help parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting methods that promote positive outcomes for their children.
Adults with ADHD must discuss their medication regularly with their doctor and disclose any other medications, including over the prescription drugs. Some medications can cause adverse effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis is made, it is crucial that the patient is monitored to ensure that he or she is receiving the benefits of the medication and not experiencing side effects. It is recommended that a patient be referred for an initial medical check-up within 30 days of beginning treatment and monthly following that. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this allows for the gradual titration of an effective and well-tolerated dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's reaction and assists in avoiding the patient from being kept on doses that are not sufficient (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses on unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
For adults who are not responding adequately to stimulant medication or experience uncontrollable side effects the use of nonstimulant medication might be suggested. Most often, this is the use of atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually affected by comorbid disorders like depression or drug abuse. They may also have medical issues like hearing and vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. It is essential to identify and assess these conditions as part click here of the initial evaluation for ADHD because they can have a significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. Couples often say that they are overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses who have ADHD and may become resentful and angry as a result. increasing the awareness of the patient about the symptoms of his/her condition and helping them realize that these are not willful actions or lack of love can reduce resentment and marital difficulties. Couples who undergo this type of therapy typically experience better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD is typically recommended. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their organizational skills and focus and control their the impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their home, work and social interactions more effectively. Psychotherapy also helps patients understand how their disorder affects various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help reduce the self-doubt and shame that is commonly seen in those with ADHD who are thought of as lazy or less intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by various mental disorders. For instance anxiety disorders are found at high rates in adults ADHD patients and depression is observed in greater numbers among people suffering from the disorder. If needed, the presence of other mental disorders should be analyzed to determine if ADHD symptoms are caused by them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated with the combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been demonstrated that when a combination of medication and psychotherapy is used the results are superior than either treatment alone. Future controlled studies must attempt to measure and track the improvement in functional aspects such as improved performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.