Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment of adhd in adults includes therapy, medication and family support. Individuals can also take part in clinical trials to try new methods of treating ADHD.
Adults with ADHD are most likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. They must be monitored regularly. This includes regular appointments with a physician and frequent review of symptoms.
Medicines
There are a variety of medications that can help to 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 recommend a medication that's right for you and will decide the most appropriate dosage and time to take it. It could take a while 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. They increase the amount of dopamine in your brain and norepinephrine which aids in controlling your thoughts and keep your focus. The medications are available in short-, medium-- and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants last around 6 hours, intermediate-acting medicines last between 8 and 10 hours, while long-acting medicines last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause adverse effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medications, but they can still cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant medications, like Atomoxetine (Strattera), can be used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unwanted side negative effects. These medicines do not affect your norepinephrine or dopamine levels however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain, and improve your ability to concentrate. These medications are in capsules and can be taken twice or once a day.
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 important to address any comorbidities. People with a history substance abuse disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. For this reason, it's generally advised to wait until the person has stopped using substances before considering treatment with stimulants for ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process of talking and discussing issues that may be disturbing or troubling to someone. their website listens and offers guidance based on his or her training, education as well as experience professional credentials and therapeutic philosophical philosophies. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with issues that are more immediate 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 therapy are determined by the therapist and patient together.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication together is an extremely effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their ability to manage their time, organize and prioritizing; it can also teach strategies for managing emotions like anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and improve focus, leading to more efficient and successful academic and work performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be affected by co-existing disorders, including mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing disorders. The treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types of medications and dosages than those used to treat ADHD.
A person with ADHD may also be suffering from hypertension. To choose a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing destabilization of the hypertension of the patient, it is important to know how different medications affect individuals over time as well as the interactions between the medications.
It's important to find an therapist with whom you have good relations, and who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to schedule your first few sessions at a time when you will not be distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD have many difficulties in their lives, such as problems at work and in relationships. They may also feel anger, blame and frustration that have developed in their lives due to their symptoms. Psychosocial therapies can aid patients and their families to develop new attitudes, skills and ways of relating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people change their habits and thoughts. It involves setting goals, training and the practice of skills, and strategies for teaching that help improve organization and self-esteem. This can be done individually or in a group. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms in adults suffering from ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson et al. 2002).
Certain people with ADHD may also require counseling to help them overcome certain life issues. These could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behaviors, or difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can teach skills to help manage these situations and improve the ability to communicate and solve problems. It can also help improve relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Family therapy and supportive group therapy are two other types of psychotherapy that could be used to treat ADHD. These therapies can help families cope and improve their skills to manage conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child suffering from ADHD. It can also help parents recognize the symptoms and develop parenting strategies that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
It is important for people with ADHD to discuss their medication with their healthcare providers regularly, and to reveal all other medications they are taking, including over-the-counter drugs. Certain medications may interact with certain medications or cause adverse reactions that are made worse by other medicines.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis is made it is important to monitor the patient to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of the medication and not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended that patients be examined for initial clinical monitoring within 30 days of beginning treatment and then every month following that. This permits a thorough titration of psychostimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, to a safe, effective dose. This allows accurate registration of the patient's reaction and helps to avoid keeping a the patient with a sensitive response on doses that are not sufficient.
Adults who aren't responding well to stimulant medications or suffer from unwanted side effects that are difficult to tolerate may benefit from nonstimulant medications. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults with ADHD are often affected by comorbid conditions, like depression or drug abuse. 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 important to detect such conditions and evaluate the severity of them. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments for adults.
Marital therapy is also useful in the management of ADHD. Spouses often report that they feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities to care for their spouses with ADHD and may become resentful and angry due to this. 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 an absence of affection or willfulness. Couples who undergo this type of therapy usually experience improved family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For those who suffer from ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate a cognitive-behavioral component. Behavioral therapy helps patients learn to improve their abilities to manage their time and focus, as well as control impulsive behavior. It teaches patients to manage their home, work and social settings in more productive ways. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition impacts various 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 unintelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by a variety of psychiatric disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. If necessary, the presence of other psychiatric disorders must 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 established that a combination of psychotherapy and medication produces superior results over either treatment by itself. Future controlled medication studies will try to monitor and evaluate the effects of functional improvement, like improved functioning in school, the workplace, and interpersonal relations.