Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adults with adhd focuses on medication, therapy and support from family members. Clinical trials are being conducted to test new treatments for ADHD.
The stimulant medications are the most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. They require monitoring regularly. This includes regular appointments with a physician and regular review of symptoms.
Medications
There are a variety of medications that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are referred to as psychostimulants. they alter the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will recommend the best medication for you and will decide the most appropriate dosage and time to take it. It may take a while to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that is able to control your symptoms.
Stimulants are usually the first prescribed medication by doctors for adults suffering from ADHD. These medicines increase the amounts of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in your brain, which enhances your ability to concentrate and manage impulses. They come in short-, intermediate-- and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours, and long-acting medicines last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause negative effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medications, but they still cause insomnia and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant medicines, such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unpleasant adverse effects. These medicines don't affect the levels of norepinephrine or dopamine however they increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain, and improve your ability to focus. These medications are in capsules and are taken either twice or three times a day.
Certain adults who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety. These are known as comorbid disorders and they can influence how you react to treatment for ADHD. Before beginning treatment for ADHD, it's important to address any comorbid issues. For instance, people who have an history of using substances disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until a person has quit using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process of talking and discussing things that can be troubling or troubling for a person. The therapist listens and offers guidance based on their education, training as well as experience professional credentials and therapeutic philosophies. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with more immediate challenges, or long-term (months or years) in which a person is working on more complex and long-standing issues. The therapist and the patient determine the length and frequency of treatment.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication together is an extremely effective treatment 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, such as anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms, improve focus, and result in better work and academic performance.
Adults with ADHD are more likely of having co-existing disorders. This is especially true for mood disorders like anxiety and depression. It is essential that any co-existing disorders be addressed prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different forms and dosages of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a patient with ADHD may also have hypertension. Selecting a medication that addresses the ADHD symptoms but does not affect the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires understanding how different medications affect people over check here time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between different medications.
It's crucial to locate a therapist who has had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you are at ease. It is important to schedule your first few sessions at a time when you aren't distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD face a variety of challenges in their lives, including problems at work and in relationships. People with ADHD can be prone to anger, frustration and blame that have been accumulated over time. A variety of psychosocial treatments have been proven to aid them and their families develop new attitudes, skills and ways of connecting.
Psychotherapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals change their behavior and thinking. It includes goal-setting, skill training and practice, and teaching strategies to improve self-esteem and organization. It can be conducted in individual or group sessions. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms among adults suffering from 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. This could include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behavior, or difficulty managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can teach skills to help deal with these situations and enhance communication and problem-solving skills. It can also help improve interpersonal relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term partnerships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These therapies can assist families in coping and improve their skills to manage conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child who has ADHD. It can also help parents understand the disorder and develop parenting techniques that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
It is essential for adults with ADHD to discuss their medications with their health care providers regularly, and to disclose any other medications they're taking, including any over-the-counter medications. Certain medications can trigger adverse effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis is made it is essential that the patient be monitored to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of the medication and not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended to see patients for initial medical monitoring within 30 days of beginning treatment and every month after that. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this enables the gradual titration of an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's reaction and assists in avoiding keeping sensitive patients on doses that are not sufficient (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses on unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
For adults who do not respond well to stimulant medication or suffer from uncontrollable side effects, the use of nonstimulant medication could be recommended. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine or other methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are frequently affected by comorbid disorders like depression or drug abuse. Moreover, they may have chronic sleep disorders or medical issues such as hearing and vision problems. It is essential to identify and evaluate such conditions as part of the initial assessment for ADHD because they could have a significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
Marital therapy can also be beneficial in the management of ADHD. Many spouses report that they feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses with ADHD and may become resentful and angry in the process. Making the patient aware of the symptoms of his/her condition and helping them realize that these are not willful actions or a lack of affection can help to reduce marital tensions and resentment. Couples who undergo this type of therapy are more likely to have better functioning families.
Behavioral Therapy
For those who suffer from ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate a cognitive-behavioral component. Behavioral therapy can help patients improve their organizational skills, focus and control their impulsive behaviors. It helps patients manage their home, work, and social situations more effectively. Psychotherapy assists patients in understanding how their condition affects various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help decrease the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are often experienced by adults with ADHD who are considered lazy or less intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders can mimic ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety. The presence of any other psychiatric issues should be analyzed according to the need, to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are connected to them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated with the combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been proven that the combination of psychotherapy with medication yields superior results over either treatment on its own. Future controlled studies will aim to monitor and evaluate functional improvements, such as improved functioning in school or at work, as well as interpersonal relationships.