Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults who suffer from adhd are treated with therapy, medication and support from the family. Individuals can also take part in clinical trials that test new methods of treating ADHD.
Adults with ADHD are most likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. They require monitoring regularly. This includes monthly appointments with a doctor, and frequent reviews of symptoms and side effects.
Medicines
There are a variety of medications that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are known as psychostimulants. They work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will select the right medication for you, and determine the best dosage and timetable. It could take some time 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 with ADHD. They increase the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which improve your ability to concentrate and manage impulses. They are available in short-, intermediate-- and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last for about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours, and long-acting medications last for up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer side effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting drugs, however they still cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera), can be used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unwanted adverse consequences. These medications don't affect your norepinephrine or dopamine however they do increase the brain's supply of norepinephrine. They also improve your concentration. The capsules are taken one or twice daily.
Some adults with ADHD have co-occurring disorders, such as depression or anxiety. These are known as comorbid disorders and they can impact how you react to treatment for ADHD. Before starting treatment for ADHD, it's important to address any comorbid issues. People with a history addiction to drugs are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. Because of this, it's often advisable to wait until a person has stopped using substances before considering treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a method of therapy that involves talking and discussing topics that are troubling or disturbing to the person. The therapist gives advice on the basis of his or her training, experience, credentials, and the philosophy of therapy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues or longer-term (months or years) in which a person is attempting to resolve more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of the treatment is determined by the therapist and the patient together.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication together is an extremely effective treatment option for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their organizational skills, time management and prioritizing. It can also teach techniques for managing emotions such as anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms, increase focus, and result in better work and academic performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a higher risk of co-existing illnesses. This is particularly applicable to mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing disorders. The treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types of medication and doses than the medications that are used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a person who suffers from ADHD may also have hypertension. To select a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing destabilization of the patient's hypertension, it is important to understand how various medications affect individuals over time and the interactions between the medications.
It's important to find an therapy provider with whom you have a an excellent relationship and who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. It's important to schedule your first few sessions at a time when you aren't distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD often face many issues in their lives, including relationships and work issues. The person who has ADHD might also experience frustration, anger and guilt that has built up over time. Numerous psychosocial therapies have been proven to aid their families and patients learn new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating.
Psychotherapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals change their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, training and practice of skills, and teaching strategies for improving self-esteem and organization. It can be done in a private or in a group. A few studies have proven that treatment for metacognitive disorders can reduce symptoms and improve functioning in adults with ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD also need counseling to address specific difficulties. These issues could include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, and difficulty coping with failures and disappointments. Counseling can teach the strategies to manage these situations, improve communication and improve problem-solving skills. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, particularly in marriages or other long-term partnerships.
Family therapy and supportive group therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that could be utilized to treat ADHD. 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 can also assist parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting styles that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
Adults with ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their physicians and inform them of any other medications, including over the counter drugs. Some medications can interact with certain medications or trigger adverse effects that are exacerbated by other medicines.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough assessment and diagnosis, it is important to monitor the patient's progress to ensure that he/she receives the benefits of the medication and does not experience side effects. It is recommended to visit patients for initial clinical monitoring within 30days of beginning treatment and then every month following that. This will allow for the proper adjustment of psychostimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines to a well-tolerated and effective dose. This allows for a precise registration of the patient's reaction and helps to avoid the patient from being kept on insufficient doses (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 suffer from adverse effects that are unpalatable could benefit from non-stimulant medications. This usually involves the use atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have comorbid disorders like mood disorder or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. They might also be suffering from medical problems like hearing and vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial evaluation for ADHD, it is important to detect these conditions and assess them. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments in adults.
ADHD can also be treated through marital therapy. Many spouses report that they feel overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses with ADHD and can become angry and angry due to this. Reducing resentment can be achieved by enhancing the awareness of their condition, and assisting them to understand that the symptoms aren't due to a lack in love or willfulness. Couples who go through this kind of therapy usually experience improved family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For adults with ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include the cognitive-behavioral aspect. Behavioral therapy assists patients in learning to improve their organizational skills, focus and control an impulsive behaviour. It helps when adhd goes untreated patients manage their work, home and social settings in more productive ways. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their disorder impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This helps reduce the stigma and feelings of shame that are often felt by people with ADHD. They might be viewed by others as being lazy or less intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders may mimic ADHD symptoms. For example anxiety disorders are found at high rates in adult ADHD patients, and depression is found at higher levels in those suffering from the disorder. If necessary the presence of other psychiatric disorders must be assessed to determine if ADHD symptoms are caused by them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been demonstrated that the combination of psychotherapy and medication yields better results than either therapy alone. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to measure and track the improvement in functional aspects such as improved performance at work, school and interpersonal relationships.