Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adhd in adults includes therapy, medication and family support. Patients can also take part in clinical trials to test new approaches to treating ADHD.
The stimulant medications are the most effective medications for adults with ADHD. But they need to be constantly monitored. That includes monthly clinical appointments and regular reviews of side effects and symptoms.
Medications
There are many drugs that can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications are called psychostimulants. They function by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will choose the best medication for you and determine the best dose and schedule to take it. It may take a while to determine the appropriate medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.
Stimulants are typically the first prescription medication doctors recommend to adults suffering from ADHD. They increase the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in your brain, which improve your ability to concentrate and control impulses. These medications are available in short-, mediumand long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last for 6 hours. Intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours. Long-acting stimulants last from 8 to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer adverse effects than shorterand intermediate-acting drugs, however they still can cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine (Strattera) can be used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause undesirable adverse side consequences. These medications do not alter your dopamine or norepinephrine levels however they do increase the brain's supply of norepinephrine, which improves your focus. These medications are in capsules and are taken either twice or three times each day.
Some adults with ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, including anxiety and depression. These conditions are known as comorbidities and may affect your response to ADHD treatment. It is essential to treat any comorbidities prior to starting treatment for ADHD. For instance, those who have an history of using substances disorder may be more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until a person has quit using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a method of therapy that involves discussing and discussing issues that cause distress or anxiety for a person. The therapist listens and provides guidance based on his or her education, training as well as experience professional credentials and therapeutic philosophical philosophies. Psychotherapy could be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with more immediate challenges, or long-term (months or years) where a person is working on more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of therapy are determined by the therapist and the patient together.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication is an extremely effective method to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help individuals 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 and increase concentration, which results in more effective and efficient academic and work.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to have co-existing issues, especially mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is essential to treat any co-existing condition. The treatment of co-existing conditions could require different types of medications and dosages compared to the ones 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 tentatively controlled hypertension requires understanding how different medications affect people over time and an understanding of the interactions between medications.
It is essential to find a therapist who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD and with whom you feel at ease. It's also important to arrange your initial sessions in a time when you won't be distracted by your family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD face many challenges in their lives, including issues at work and in relationships. They may also experience frustration, blame and anger that have developed in their lives because of their symptoms. A variety of psychosocial treatments have been proven effective in helping their families and patients learn new skills, attitudes and ways of connecting.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that assists people in changing their habits and thoughts. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, and teaching strategies for improving organization and self-esteem. This can be accomplished individually or in a group setting. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms among adults suffering from ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson et al. 2002).
adult adhd treatments with ADHD might also require counseling to help them overcome specific issues in their lives. These challenges may include family conflicts, aggressive or impulsive behavior, and difficulties in dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help develop skills to manage these situations, improve communication and enhance problem-solving abilities. It can also help improve interpersonal relationships, especially in marriages or other long-term partnerships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy as well as 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 suffering from ADHD. It also helps parents recognize the symptoms and develop parenting styles that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
It is important for adults with ADHD to discuss their medications with their health care providers regularly, and to disclose all other medications they're taking, including any over-the-counter medications. Some medications can cause adverse reactions or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough assessment and diagnosis, it is important to monitor the patient's condition to ensure that the patient receives the benefits of the medication and does not suffer from side negative effects. It is recommended that a patient be referred for a first clinical examination within 30 days of beginning treatment, and every month afterward. This allows for the proper adjustment of psychostimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, to a well-tolerated, effective dose. This allows accurate registration of the patients' response and helps to avoid keeping a sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
For adults who do not respond effectively to stimulant medications or have intolerable side effects the use of nonstimulant medication could be recommended. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine, or other alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are often affected by comorbid conditions, like depression or substance abuse. In addition, they may experience chronic sleep disorders or medical problems such as hearing and vision problems. It is crucial to identify and assess these conditions in the initial evaluation for ADHD because they could have a significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
Marital therapy can be helpful in the treatment of ADHD. Many spouses report that they feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities to care for their spouses with ADHD and can become resentful and angry as a result. Reduced resentment can be achieved by enhancing the patient's understanding of his/her illness, and helping them understand that the symptoms are not due to a lack in willfulness or love. Couples who go through this type of therapy generally experience a better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For adults with ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate a cognitive-behavioral component. Behavioral therapy assists patients in improving their focus, organization skills and control their impulsive behaviors. It helps patients learn to manage their social, work, and home situations more efficiently. Psychotherapy can also help patients understand how their disorder impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help 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 mimicked by various psychiatric disorders. For instance anxiety disorders are seen at a high rate in adults ADHD patients and depression is observed at higher levels in people suffering from the disorder. The presence of other mental health problems should be evaluated according to the need, to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are related to them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated using an amalgamation of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been proven that the combination of psychotherapy with medication produces better results than either treatment by itself. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to track and measure the effects of functional improvements, such as better performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.