Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment of adhd in adults includes therapy, medication and family support. People can also participate in clinical trials to try new methods of treating ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are the most likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. However, they must be closely monitored. That includes monthly clinical appointments and regular reviews of side effects and symptoms.
treating adhd in adults
There are many drugs that can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are called psychostimulants and they work by changing the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that pass messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will select the best medication for you and determine the most effective dose and time to take it. It may take some time to determine the appropriate dosage and medication to control your symptoms.
The first medication doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. These drugs increase the amount of dopamine found in your brain, and also norepinephrine which allows you to manage your thoughts and focus. They come in short-, intermediate- and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants can last up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours. Long-acting drugs can last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have less negative effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting medications, but they still cause an increase in appetite and sleepiness.
Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera), are used to treat adults with ADHD if stimulants do not work or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medications do not alter your dopamine or norepinephrine levels however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine. They also improve your concentration. These medications are available in capsules and can be taken twice or once every day.
Some adults with ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety. These are called comorbid conditions and they can impact the way you respond to treatment for ADHD. It's important to treat any comorbid conditions before starting treatment for ADHD. People who have a history of substance abuse disorder are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before using stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interaction process of discussing and talking about issues that could be troubling or troubling to a person. The therapist offers guidance in accordance with their training, experience, credentials, and the philosophy of therapy. Psychotherapy could 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 person is working to address more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of therapy is decided by the patient and therapist together.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication is a highly effective way to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their organizational skills, time management and prioritizing; it can also teach strategies for managing emotions such as anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms and increase focus, which leads to more effective and efficient academic and work.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely of co-existing conditions. This is particularly relevant for mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. It is important that any co-existing condition be treated prior to starting treatment for ADHD. The treatment of co-existing conditions could require different types of medications and dosages than the medications prescribed to treat ADHD.
A person suffering from ADHD may also suffer from hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms, but does not alter the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires knowledge of how various medications affect people over time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between various medications.
It's crucial to find a therapist who has had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you feel comfortable. It's also important to arrange your first few sessions during times when you aren't distracted by your family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD often face many problems in their lives, such as work and relationship problems. People with ADHD can also experience anger, frustration and blame that have built up over time. Psychosocial therapies can aid patients and their families develop new abilities, attitudes and ways of communicating.
Psychotherapy can also include cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy that aids individuals to change their thinking and behavior. It includes goal-setting, skill training and practice, as well as methods to help improve organization and self-esteem. It may be done in individual or group sessions. Metacognitive therapy has proven to significantly reduce symptoms among adults with ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson and colleagues. 2002).
Certain people with ADHD may also require therapy to help them overcome particular life issues. These may include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behavior, or difficulties managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can help teach how to handle these situations, improve communication, and increase problem-solving capabilities. It can also enhance relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Family therapy and supportive group therapy are two other types of psychotherapy that can be used to treat ADHD. These can assist families to cope with the stress of having a child with ADHD, as well as teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can also assist parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting techniques that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medications regularly with their doctors and also disclose any other medications, including over-the drug products. Certain medications can cause adverse reactions or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis is established, it is important that the patient be monitored to ensure that he or she is receiving 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 initiating treatment and monthly following that. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this allows for the gradual titration of an effective dose that is well-tolerated. This allows for accurate registration of the patients' response and helps to avoid keeping a sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
For adults who do not respond adequately to stimulant medication or have intolerable side effects the use of nonstimulant medications may be indicated. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine or other alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually affected by comorbid disorders, like depression or substance abuse. They might also be suffering from medical problems like hearing and vision problems or chronic sleep 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.
ADHD can also be controlled through marital therapy. Spouses often report that they feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities to care for their spouses who have ADHD and may become resentful and angry due to this. Increasing the patient's awareness of the signs of their condition and helping to understand that these are not willful actions or lack of affection can reduce resentment and marital difficulties. Couples who undergo this type of therapy are more likely to have better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD is typically advised. It should include a cognitive and behavioral component. Behavioral therapy helps patients improve their organization skills, focus and control their impulsive behaviors. It helps patients learn to manage their work, social, and home situations more effectively. Psychotherapy assists patients in understanding how their disorder impacts various aspects of their lives and relationships. This helps reduce the stigma and feelings of shame that are often felt by people suffering from ADHD. They may be perceived by others as being lazy or unintelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders mimic ADHD symptoms. For instance, anxiety disorders occur at a higher rate in adults ADHD patients and depression is observed at increased levels in those suffering from the disorder. If necessary, the presence of other mental disorders should be evaluated to determine if 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 shown that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is employed the results are superior than the results of either treatment alone. Future controlled studies will aim to measure and assess the effects of functional improvement, like improvement in school performance as well as in the workplace and interpersonal relations.