Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults with adhd are treated with therapy, medication and support from family members. Clinical trials are available to test the effectiveness of new treatments for ADHD.
Stimulant medication is the most effective medications for adults with ADHD. They must be monitored regularly. This includes monthly appointments with a doctor, and frequent reviews of side effects and symptoms.
Medications
There are many medications that can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in 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 the most appropriate medication for your needs and will determine the most effective dosage and timetable. It could take some time to find the right dosage and medication that control your symptoms.
Stimulants are usually the first prescription medication doctors recommend to adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs increase the amount of dopamine in your brain and norepinephrine, which helps you to control your thoughts and keep your focus. These medications are available in short-, medium- and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants last for about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medicines last between 8 and 10 hours, and long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause negative effects than shorterand intermediate-acting drugs, however they can still cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant medicines, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) can be used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause undesirable adverse side effects. These medications don't alter your dopamine or norepinephrine however they increase the amount of norepinephrine that's available to your brain, and improve your ability to focus. These capsules are consumed once or twice daily.
Some people with ADHD suffer from co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. These conditions are known as comorbidities and may affect your response to ADHD treatment. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbid issues. For instance, those who have a history of substance use disorder are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until someone has stopped using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process that involves discussing and discussing issues that cause distress or anxiety to the person. The therapist provides guidance in accordance with their qualifications, experience, training and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with more immediate challenges or more long-term (months or years) where a person is working to address more complicated and longstanding issues. The therapist and the patient determine the length and frequency of therapy.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication together is a highly effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their abilities to organize their lives, manage their time and prioritizing. It can also teach techniques for managing emotions like anger and frustration. treating adult adhd can reduce symptoms, improve concentration and improve work and academic performance.
Adults with ADHD have a higher risk of having co-existing disorders. This is especially applicable to mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Before starting treatment for ADHD, it is important to treat any co-existing disorders. The treatment of co-existing conditions may require different types of medications and dosages compared to the medications that are used to treat ADHD.
A person with ADHD may also suffer from hypertension. Selecting a medication that addresses the ADHD symptoms but does not destabilize the patient's tentatively controlled hypertension requires knowledge of how different medications affect people over time and an understanding of the interactions between medications.
It is essential to find a therapist who has had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you feel comfortable. It's important to schedule your initial sessions at a time when you will not be distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have many issues in their lives, including relationships and work problems. The person who has ADHD might also experience anger, frustration and guilt that has been accumulated over time. Numerous psychosocial therapies have been proven effective in helping them and their families learn new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating.
Psychotherapy can include cognitive behavior therapy, a form of psychotherapy that assists individuals change their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, and methods of teaching to improve self-esteem and organization. It can be done in a private or in a group setting. Some studies have shown that metacognitive treatment can significantly reduce symptoms and improve performance in adults with ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors 2002).
Some people with ADHD may also require counseling to help them overcome certain issues in their lives. These may include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behaviors, or difficulty dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help teach skills to manage these situations, improve communication and improve problem-solving skills. It can also enhance relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term partnerships.
Family therapy and support groups therapy are also types of psychotherapy that can be used to treat ADHD. These therapies can help families cope and learn skills to reduce conflict and improve communication when dealing with children who have ADHD. It can also help parents learn about the disorder and develop parenting techniques that promote positive outcomes for their children.
It is essential for people suffering from ADHD to discuss their medication with their health care providers regularly, and to disclose all other medications they are taking, including over-the-counter drugs. Some medications can cause adverse effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis, it is essential to monitor the patient's progress to ensure that the patient receives the benefits of the medication and doesn't suffer from side adverse effects. It is recommended to see the patient for the initial medical monitoring within 30 days of beginning treatment, and then every month thereafter. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this allows for the gradual titration of an effective dose that is well-tolerated. This permits accurate recording of the patients' response and helps avoid keeping the patient with a sensitive response on doses that are not sufficient.
Adults who aren't responding well to stimulant medications or have side effects that are intolerable could benefit from non-stimulant medications. Most often, this is the use of atomoxetine or other related methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring disorders such as mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. Moreover, they may have chronic sleep disorders or medical issues like hearing and vision disorders. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD it is crucial to identify for these conditions and then evaluate the severity of them. These conditions could have a significant impact on functional impairments in adults.
ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. Many spouses report that they feel overburdened by the responsibilities to care for their spouses with ADHD and may become resentful and angry in the process. Reducing resentment can be achieved by increasing the patient's understanding of the illness, and helping them to understand that the symptoms aren't the result of a lack in love or willfulness. Couples who undergo this type of therapy tend to be more functional as a family.
Behavioral Therapy
For adults with ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate an element of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their abilities to manage their time and focus, as well as control impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their work, social and home life more efficiently. Psychotherapy also helps patients understand how their disorder affects different areas of their lives and relationships. This can help decrease the self-doubt and shame that are often experienced by those with ADHD who are considered lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by a variety of psychiatric disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. If it is necessary the presence of other psychiatric disorders should be analyzed to determine whether ADHD symptoms are a result of them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is typically recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that the combination of psychotherapy with medication yields superior results over either treatment alone. Future controlled studies must attempt to measure and track functional improvements such as improved performance at work, school and interpersonal relationships.