Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults suffering from adhd are treated through therapy, medication and support from the family. Clinical trials are available to test the effectiveness of new treatments for ADHD.
The stimulant medications are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. They need to be monitored regularly. This means monthly appointments with a doctor and regular examinations of symptoms.
Medicines
There are many medications that can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are referred to as psychostimulants. They function by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will select the right medication for you and will decide on the most appropriate dosage and timetable. It could take some time to determine the appropriate medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.
The first medication that doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. These medications increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which enhances your ability to focus and control impulses. These medicines are available in short-, medium-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last for about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medications last between 8 and 10 hours, while long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer side effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medications, but they still can cause an increase in appetite and sleepiness.
Nonstimulant medications, like Atomoxetine (Strattera) can be used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unwanted side negative effects. These medications don't alter your dopamine or norepinephrine, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine that's available to your brain and improve your ability to focus. These medicines come in capsules and are taken either twice or three times a day.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, like anxiety and depression. These are referred to as comorbid conditions and they can impact how you react to treatment for ADHD. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbid issues. For instance, people who have an addiction history to drugs or disorder are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until someone has quit using drugs before using stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a method of therapy that involves talking and discussing topics that cause distress or anxiety for a person. The therapist listens and provides advice based on their education, training as well as experience, professional credentials and therapeutic theories. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with issues that are more immediate or more long-term (months or years) where a person is working to address more complex and long-standing issues. The patient and therapist determine the duration and frequency of treatment.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication is an extremely effective way to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy helps people improve their ability to manage their time, organize and prioritizing; it can also teach strategies for managing emotions such as anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms, increase concentration and improve academic and work performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing disorders, including mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing condition. Treatment of co-existing disorders may require different forms and dosages of medication than those used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a patient with ADHD may also have hypertension. To choose a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing destabilization of the patient's hypertension, it is important to know how different medications affect individuals over time as well as the interactions between the medications.
It is important to choose a therapy provider with whom you have a an excellent relationship and who has experience in treating adults with ADHD. It is also crucial to schedule your initial sessions in a time when you're not distracted by your family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD face many challenges in their lives, including difficulties at work and with relationships. The person who has ADHD might also experience frustration, anger and blame that has been accumulated over time. Psychosocial therapies can help patients and their families to develop new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people change their behavior and thinking. It involves setting goals, training and the practice of skills, and methods of teaching to improve organization and self-esteem. This can be done 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).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also require counseling to address specific challenges. This could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulty dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can teach the skills to manage these situations, improve communication, and enhance problem-solving abilities. It can also improve relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term partnerships.
Other forms of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy as well as supportive group therapy. These therapies can assist families in coping and develop skills to lessen conflict and improve communication when dealing with children who have ADHD. It can also assist parents to recognize the symptoms and develop parenting strategies that promote positive outcomes for their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their doctors and also disclose any other medications, including over-the drug products. Some medications can interact with certain medications or cause adverse effects that are exacerbated by other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough assessment and diagnosis, it is essential to monitor the patient to ensure that the patient receives the benefits of the medication and doesn't suffer from side effects. It is recommended to consult a patient for the initial clinical monitoring within 30days after starting treatment and then every month thereafter. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this enables thorough titration to an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's reaction and helps to avoid keeping sensitive patients on insufficient doses (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses to unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
For adults who do not respond adequately to stimulant medication or experience uncontrollable side effects the use of nonstimulant medications could be recommended. IamPsychiatry is usually the case with atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. Additionally, they may suffer from chronic sleep disturbances or medical issues such as vision and hearing disorders. It is crucial to identify and assess these conditions in the initial evaluation for ADHD since these can have significant impact on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. Couples complain of being overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses with ADHD and can become resentful or angry in response. increasing the awareness of the patient about the symptoms of his/her illness and helping them realize that these aren't willful actions or lack of love can reduce resentment and marital difficulties. Couples who go through this type of therapy typically experience better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is typically suggested. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy helps patients learn to improve their ability to organize their lives and focus, as well as control impulsive behavior. It teaches patients to manage their work, home, and social situations in more productive ways. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition affects different areas of their lives and relationships. This can help alleviate the self-doubt and shame that is commonly seen in those with ADHD, who may be thought of as lazy or less intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by a variety of psychiatric disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. The presence of any other psychiatric problems should be assessed according to the need, to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are linked to them.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated with the combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been demonstrated that the combination of psychotherapy with medication yields better results than either therapy on its own. Future controlled studies must attempt to track and measure the effects of functional improvements, such as better performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.