Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment of adhd in adults focuses on medication, therapy and family support. Clinical trials are available to test new treatments for ADHD.
The stimulant medications are the most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. However, they must be closely monitored. This includes monthly appointments with a doctor, and frequent reviews of side effects and symptoms.
Medications
There are many drugs that can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are known as psychostimulants and they work by changing the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) which transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will select the appropriate medication for you and will decide on the most appropriate dosage and schedule. It may 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. These medicines increase the amounts of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which increase your ability to concentrate and control impulses. They come in short-, intermediate-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medications last between 8 and 10 hours, and long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer side effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting medications, but they can still cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD in cases where stimulants don't work or cause unwanted side effects. These medicines don't affect the levels of norepinephrine or dopamine however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain and increase your ability to focus. These medications are in capsule form and are taken once or twice a day.
Some people with ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. These disorders are referred to as comorbidities and can influence how you respond to ADHD treatment. It's important to treat any comorbid disorders prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. Patients with a history of substance abuse disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. This is why it's often advisable to wait until the person has stopped using substances before considering treatment with stimulants for ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interactive process of discussing and talking about issues that could be troubling or troubling to a person. The therapist provides guidance in accordance with their qualifications, experience, training, and the philosophy of therapy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues or more long-term (months or years) in which a patient is working to address more complicated and longstanding issues. The duration and frequency of therapy is determined by the therapist and patient together.
Psychotherapy and medication together are an extremely effective way to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can assist people improve their time management, organizational skills, and prioritizing. It can also teach methods to manage emotions such as anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms, increase concentration and improve academic and work performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be affected by co-existing disorders, including mood disorders like depression and anxiety. It is essential that any co-existing disorders be addressed prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. The treatment of co-existing conditions could require different types of medication and doses than the medications that are used to treat ADHD.
For example, a person with ADHD may also have hypertension. Selecting a medication that addresses the ADHD symptoms, but does not affect the patient's tentatively controlled hypertension requires knowledge of how different medications affect people over time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between different medications.
It's important that you choose a therapist with expertise in treating adults with ADHD and with whom you are comfortable. It is important to schedule your first few sessions at times when you aren't distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD face many challenges in their lives, including difficulties at work and with relationships. A person with ADHD may also experience anger, frustration and guilt that has developed over time. Psychosocial treatments can aid patients and their families to develop new skills, attitudes and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy can also include cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals change their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, training and practice of skills, and strategies for teaching that help improve self-esteem and organization. It can be done in a private or in a group setting. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms among adults with ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson and colleagues. 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also need counseling to address specific life challenges. These challenges may include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, and difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help teach strategies to manage these situations, improve communication and improve problem-solving skills. It can also help improve relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term relationships.
treating add in adults of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These can help families cope with the stress of having a child suffering from ADHD, as well as teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can also assist parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting styles that promote positive outcomes for their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD must discuss their medication regularly with their doctors and inform them of any other medications, including over-the drug products. Certain medications may interact with certain medications or trigger adverse reactions that are made worse by other medicines.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis, it is crucial to monitor the patient to ensure that he/she reaps the benefits of the medication and doesn't suffer from side negative effects. It is recommended that patients be referred for a first clinical examination within 30 days of initiating treatment and monthly thereafter. This will allow for the proper titration of psychostimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamines to a well-tolerated and effective dose. This permits accurate recording of the patients' response and helps avoid keeping sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
For adults who are unable to respond adequately to stimulant medication or have intolerable side effects the use of nonstimulant medications could be recommended. Most often, this is the use of atomoxetine, or other related alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults suffering from ADHD often have comorbid disorders like mood disorder or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. Moreover, treating add in adults may have chronic sleep disturbances or medical issues like hearing and vision disorders. As treating adhd in adults of the initial assessment for ADHD it is essential to identify for these conditions and then evaluate their severity. These conditions could have a significant impact on functional impairments in adults.
ADHD can also be treated through marital therapy. Spouses often report that they feel overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses who have ADHD and may become resentful and angry as a result. Reduced resentment can be achieved by enhancing the understanding of his/her condition, and assisting them understand that the symptoms are not due to a lack in love or willfulness. Couples who go through this kind of therapy generally experience a better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD is generally recommended. It should include a cognitive and behavioral component. Behavioral therapy assists patients in improving their organizational skills, focus, and control impulsive behaviors. It helps patients manage their work, home and social interactions more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition impacts various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help alleviate the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that is often seen in people with ADHD, who may be viewed as inept or unintelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders may be akin to ADHD symptoms. For instance anxiety disorders are seen at a higher rate in adults ADHD patients and depression is seen at increased levels in adults with the disorder. The presence of other mental health issues should be analyzed, as appropriate, to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are linked to them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is typically recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is utilized results are more favorable than either treatment alone. Future controlled medication studies should aim to measure and track functional improvements such as improved functioning at school, workplace, and interpersonal relationships.