Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults suffering from adhd are treated by medication, therapy, and family support. Clinical trials are available to test the effectiveness of new treatments for ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. They require monitoring regularly. This includes regular appointments with a physician and frequent examinations of symptoms.
Medicines
Numerous medications can be used to alleviate 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 select a medication that's right for you and will decide the most appropriate dosage and time to take it. It could take some time to find the right medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.
Stimulants are often the first prescription medication doctors recommend for adults with ADHD. These drugs increase the amount of dopamine that is present in your brain, and also norepinephrine which aids in controlling your impulses and improve your focus. They are available in short-, intermediate- and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last around 6 hours, intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours, and long-acting medications last for up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause side effects than intermediate or shorter-acting medicines. However, they may induce sleepiness and a change in appetite.
Nonstimulant medications, like atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause unpleasant side effects. These medicines do not affect your dopamine or norepinephrine however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine that's available to your brain, and improve your ability to concentrate. These medications are available in capsule form and are taken once or twice a day.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD also have other psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression. These conditions are known as comorbidities and can affect how you respond to ADHD treatment. It's important to treat any comorbidities prior to starting treatment for ADHD. Patients with a history of addiction to drugs are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. This is why it's often advisable to wait until a person has quit using substances before considering treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves talking and discussing topics that cause anxiety or are disturbing for a person. The therapist provides guidance in accordance with their qualifications, experience, training and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term, (a couple of weeks or months) or addressing more immediate issues, or long-term. The duration and frequency of therapy are determined by the therapist and the patient together.
Psychotherapy and medication together are an extremely effective way to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their ability to manage their time, organize and prioritizing; it can also teach techniques to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms and improve concentration, which results in more productive and effective work and academic performance.
Adults suffering from ADHD have a higher risk of co-existing conditions. This is especially true for mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Before starting treatment for ADHD, it is important to treat any co-existing conditions. Treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types and doses of medication than those used to treat ADHD.
A person with ADHD may also suffer from hypertension. To select a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing destabilization of the hypertension of the patient it is crucial to understand how various medications affect individuals in the course of time, as well as the interactions between medications.
It's important that you locate a therapist who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD and with whom you are comfortable. It is also crucial to schedule your first few sessions when you're not distracted by family responsibilities or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD face a variety of challenges in their lives, such as difficulties at work and in relationships. The person who has ADHD might also experience anger, frustration and guilt that has been accumulated over time. Psychosocial treatments can help patients and their families to develop new skills, attitudes, and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy can also include cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a type of psychotherapy that aids individuals to modify their thinking and behavior. It involves setting goals, training and the practice of skills, as well as strategies for teaching that help improve self-esteem and organization. It may be done in group or individual sessions. Certain studies have demonstrated that the use of metacognitive therapy can reduce symptoms and improve performance in adults with ADHD (Stevenson et al 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD also require counseling to deal with specific life issues. These could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulties managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can help you develop the strategies to help deal with these situations and increase communication and problem-solving abilities. It can also enhance relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Family therapy and supportive groups therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that can be utilized to treat ADHD. These therapies can help families cope and develop skills to lessen conflict and improve communication when dealing with children who have ADHD. It also helps parents understand the disorder and develop parenting styles that promote positive outcomes for their children.
It is essential for adults with ADHD to discuss their medication with their health care providers regularly, and to disclose all other medications they're taking, including prescription drugs. Certain medications can cause adverse effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis, it is crucial to monitor the patient's progress to ensure that he/she reaps the benefits of the medication and does not suffer from side effects. It is recommended that a patient be referred for a first clinical examination within 30 days of beginning treatment and then every month following that. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this allows for a thorough titration to an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response. It also helps to avoid having sensitive patients remain on doses that are not sufficient (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses to unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
Adults who aren't responding well to stimulant medications or have unwanted side effects that are difficult to tolerate might benefit from non-stimulant drugs. This is usually the case with atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD are frequently affected by comorbid disorders like depression or drug abuse. Moreover, they may have chronic sleep disturbances or medical problems such as vision and hearing disorders. It is important to screen and evaluate such conditions as part of the initial assessment for ADHD because they can have a significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be treated through marital therapy. Couples often say that they feel overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses with ADHD and may become resentful and angry due to this. Reduced resentment can be achieved by enhancing the patient's understanding of the condition, and assisting them to understand that the symptoms are not due to an absence of love or willfulness. adhd treatment adults who undergo this type of therapy usually experience improved family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is usually recommended. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy assists patients in learning to improve their organizational skills, focus and control an impulsive behaviour. It helps patients manage their work, home and social settings more effectively. Psychotherapy can also help patients understand how their disorder affects different areas of their lives and relationships. This can help reduce the self-doubt and shame that is commonly seen in people with ADHD, who may be considered lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders may be akin to ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. If it is necessary the presence of other psychiatric disorders must be assessed to determine whether ADHD symptoms are caused by them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that the combination of psychotherapy with medication can produce better results than either treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies will attempt to measure and assess improvements in functional performance, for example, better functioning at school or at work, as well as interpersonal relationships.