Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults who suffer from adhd are treated with therapy, medication, and family support. Individuals can also take part in clinical trials that test new ways of treating ADHD.
Stimulant medication is the most effective medications for adults with ADHD. They require monitoring regularly. This means monthly appointments with a doctor and frequent examinations of symptoms.
Medicines
Numerous medications can be used to reduce the symptoms of ADHD among adults. They are known as psychostimulants and they affect the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that pass messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will recommend a medication that's right for you and will decide the most appropriate dosage and time to take it. It may take some time to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that control your symptoms.
Stimulants are often the first prescribed medication by doctors for adults suffering from ADHD. They increase the amount of dopamine that is present in your brain, and also norepinephrine which allows you to manage your thoughts and focus. They are available in short-, intermediate-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants can last for 6 hours. Intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours. Long-acting drugs can last up to 16. Long-acting stimulants are less likely cause adverse reactions than intermediate- or shorter-acting medicines. However, they can still cause sleepiness and change in appetite.
Nonstimulant medicines, such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unpleasant side effects. These medications do not alter your dopamine or norepinephrine levels however, they can increase the amount of norepinephrine. They also improve your concentration. The capsules are taken one or twice a day.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD may also suffer from other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression. These are referred to as comorbid conditions and they can influence the way you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbidities. For instance, those who have an addiction history to drugs or disorder are more likely to use psychostimulants. It's best to wait until someone has quit using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process of talking and discussing issues that may be disturbing or troubling to someone. The therapist listens to the person and provides advice based on his or her training, education, experience, professional credentials and therapeutic philosophies. Psychotherapy could be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with issues that are more immediate or longer-term (months or years) in which a person is working to address more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of therapy is determined by the therapist and the patient together.
Psychotherapy and medication are an extremely effective method to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their time management, organizational skills and prioritizing. It can also teach techniques to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms and increase concentration, which results in more efficient and successful work and academic performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be affected by co-existing issues, especially mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is essential to treat any co-existing disorders. Treatment of co-existing disorders may require different forms and dosages of medication than those used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a patient 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 essential to understand how various medications affect people in the course of time, as well as the interactions between the medications.
It is essential to find an therapy provider with whom you have a good relations, and who has experience in treating adults with ADHD. It is also crucial to schedule your initial sessions in a time when you aren't distracted by family responsibilities or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD face a variety of challenges in their lives, such as issues in their relationships and at work. The person who has ADHD might be prone to anger, frustration and guilt that has developed over time. Psychosocial treatments can help patients and their families develop new abilities, attitudes and ways of communicating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that assists people in changing their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, and strategies for teaching that help improve organization and self-esteem. This can be done individually or in a group. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms in adults with ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson, et al. 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also need counseling to deal with specific life difficulties. These difficulties could include family conflicts, aggressive or impulsive behavior, and difficulties in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help develop skills to help manage these situations and improve communication and problem-solving abilities. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, especially in long-term marriages or other partnerships.
Family therapy and supportive group therapy are two other types of psychotherapy that can be utilized to treat ADHD. These therapies can help families cope and improve their skills to manage conflict and improve communication when dealing with children who have ADHD. It can also assist parents to learn about the disorder and develop parenting styles that promote positive outcomes for their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD must discuss their medication regularly with their doctor and disclose any other medications, such as over-the prescription drugs. Certain medications can trigger adverse reactions or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis is made, it is important that the patient is monitored to ensure that he or she is receiving the benefits of medication and not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended to see the patient for the initial clinical monitoring within 30days after starting treatment and every month after that. This permits the proper adjustment of psychostimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate to a safe, effective dose. This permits accurate recording of the patients' response and prevents the patient from being a sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
Adults who are not responding well to stimulant medications or who have unwanted side effects that are difficult to tolerate could benefit from non-stimulant medications. This usually involves the use atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults with ADHD typically suffer from comorbid disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. They may also suffer from medical issues like hearing and vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. It is important to screen and assess these conditions as part of the initial assessment for ADHD because they could have a significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be controlled through marital therapy. Couples complain of being overwhelmed by the caretaking duties of their spouses with ADHD and can become resentful or angry as a consequence. Reducing resentment can be achieved by enhancing the patient's understanding of his/her condition, and assisting them to understand that the symptoms aren't the result of a lack in willfulness or love. Couples who undergo this type of therapy typically experience better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD is generally suggested. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. adhd symptoms and treatment helps patients learn to improve their abilities to manage their time and focus, as well as control an impulsive behaviour. It teaches patients to manage their home, work and social interactions in more productive ways. Psychotherapy helps patients to understand how their condition affects different areas of their life and relationships. This can help reduce the stigma and feelings of shame that are often seen among people with ADHD. They might be viewed by others as lazy or less intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders may be akin to ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from anxiety disorders and depression. The presence of other psychiatric problems should be evaluated, as appropriate, to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are connected to them.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated using the combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been shown that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is employed the results are superior than treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies should aim to track and measure the improvement in functional aspects such as improved functioning at school, workplace and interpersonal relationships.