Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adults with adhd focuses on medication, therapy and support from family members. Individuals can also take part in clinical trials to test new approaches to treating ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to benefit from stimulant medications. However, they must be monitored regularly. This means monthly appointments with a doctor and regular reviews of symptoms.
Medicines
Many medications can be used to treat symptoms of ADHD among adults. These are called psychostimulants and they affect the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) which transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will select the right medication for you and determine the best dose and schedule to take it. It could take some time to find the right dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.
Stimulants are typically the first medication doctors prescribe for adults suffering from ADHD. They increase the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which increase your ability to concentrate and manage impulses. They come in short-, intermediate-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last for about 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 drugs like atomoxetine, (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD if stimulants do not work or cause undesirable side effects. These medicines do not affect your dopamine or norepinephrine levels, but they increase the brain's supply of norepinephrine. They also improve your concentration. These medications are in capsule form and are taken either twice or three times every day.
Some people with ADHD have co-occurring disorders, such as depression or anxiety. These are called comorbid conditions and they can impact the way you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbidities. For instance, people who have an addiction history to drugs or disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. This is why it is generally recommended to wait until the person has quit using substances before considering treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interaction process of talking and discussing things that can be troubling or troubling for a person. The therapist listens and provides advice based on his or her training, education as well as experience, professional credentials and therapeutic philosophies. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a couple of weeks or months), addressing more immediate issues, or longer-term. The duration and frequency of therapy is decided by the therapist and the patient together.
Psychotherapy and medication are a highly effective way to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can assist people improve their time management, organizational skills and prioritizing. It can also teach strategies to manage emotions such as anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms and increase focus, leading to more productive and effective academic and work performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a higher likelihood of co-existing conditions. This is especially true for mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is essential to treat any co-existing conditions. Treatment of co-existing disorders could require different types and dosages of medication than those used to treat ADHD.
A person who suffers from ADHD may also be suffering from hypertension. To choose a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing destabilization of the hypertension of the patient it is essential to understand how various medications affect individuals over time as well as the interactions between medications.
It is important to choose a therapist with whom you have good relations, and who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to schedule your first few sessions at a time when you won't be distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD typically face a variety of problems in their lives, such as relationships and work issues. They also may experience anger, blame and frustration that have accumulated in their lives due to their symptoms. Psychosocial treatments can help patients and their families develop new attitudes, skills and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a type of psychotherapy that assists 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 carried out in individual or group sessions. Certain studies have demonstrated that the use of metacognitive therapy can reduce symptoms and improve functioning in adults with ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors, 2002).
Some people suffering from ADHD may also require counseling to help them overcome specific issues in their lives. This could include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behavior, or difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help develop how to handle these situations, improve communication and improve problem-solving skills. It can also enhance relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term partnerships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These therapies can help families cope and improve their skills to manage conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child suffering from ADHD. adhd treatment adults can assist parents understand the disorder and develop parenting methods that encourage positive results in their children.
It is crucial for people with ADHD to discuss their medications with their health care professionals regularly, and to inform them of any other medications they're taking, including over-the-counter drugs. Certain medications can interact with certain medications or cause adverse effects that are exacerbated by other medicines.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis is made it is essential to monitor the patient to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of the medication and not experiencing any adverse side effects. It is recommended that patients be referred for a first clinical examination within 30 days of initiating treatment, and every month afterward. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines) this allows for a thorough titration to an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This allows for a precise registration of the patient's response and assists in avoiding the patient from being kept taking insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses onto excessively high levels (rapid metabolizers).
For adults who are unable to respond well to stimulant medication or have intolerable side effects the use of non-stimulant drugs might be suggested. This usually involves the use atomoxetine or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD are often affected by comorbid disorders, such as depression or substance abuse. Additionally, they may suffer from chronic sleep disturbances or medical problems such as hearing and vision disorders. It is crucial to identify 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. Spouses report feeling overburdened with the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses with ADHD, and can become resentful or angry in response. Increasing the patient's awareness of the symptoms of his/her illness and helping them understand that these aren't impulsive actions or lack of love can help to reduce marital conflict and resentment. Couples who undergo this type of therapy tend to have better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is usually recommended. It should include a cognitive and behavioral component. Behavioral therapy can help patients improve their organization skills, focus and control their impulsive behaviors. It helps patients learn to manage their social, work and home environments more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition affects different areas of their lives and relationships. This can help reduce the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that is often seen in people with ADHD, who may be viewed as lazy or less intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by many 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 psychiatric issues should be analyzed in order to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are related to them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with an amalgamation of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been established that a combination of psychotherapy and medication yields better results than either treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to track and measure functional improvements such as improved performance at work, school and interpersonal relationships.