Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment of adhd in adults includes therapy, medication and family support. Individuals can also take part in clinical trials to test new ways of treating ADHD.
The stimulant medications are the most effective medications for adults with ADHD. They require monitoring regularly. This includes monthly appointments with a doctor as well as frequent reviews of symptoms and side effects.
Medicines
Numerous medications can be used to alleviate the 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 most appropriate dosage and time to take it. It could take a while to determine the proper dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.
The first drug that doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. These medications increase the amount of dopamine found in your brain and norepinephrine which aids in controlling your impulses and improve your focus. The medications are available in short-, medium-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last for about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medicines last between 8 and 10 hours, and long-acting medicines last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer adverse effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting drugs, however they still can cause insomnia and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant medications, like Atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unwanted adverse side negative effects. These medicines do not affect the levels of dopamine or norepinephrine however, they can increase the brain's supply of norepinephrine. They also improve your concentration. These medications are in capsules and can be taken once or twice every day.
Many people with ADHD may also suffer from other psychiatric disorders, like depression and anxiety. These are referred to as comorbid conditions and can affect the way you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbid issues. People who have a history of addiction to drugs are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process that involves talking and discussing topics that are troubling or disturbing for a person. The therapist listens to the person and provides guidance based on their education, training and experience, professional credentials and therapeutic philosophies. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues or longer-term (months or years) where a person is working on more complex and long-standing issues. The therapist and the patient determine the length and frequency of treatment.
Psychotherapy and medication together are an extremely effective method to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy helps people improve their ability to manage their time, organize and prioritizing; it can also teach techniques for managing emotions like anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms, increase focus, and result in better academic and work performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing issues, especially mood disorders like anxiety and depression. It is crucial that any co-existing disorders be treated prior to starting treatment for ADHD. Treatment of co-existing disorders could require different forms and dosages of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
A person who suffers from ADHD can also have hypertension. To select a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without destabilizing the patient's hypertension it is crucial to understand how various medications affect people over time as well as the interactions between the medications.
It is essential to locate a therapist who has had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you feel comfortable. It is also crucial to schedule your first few sessions when you won't be distracted by your family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD often face many problems in their lives, such as relationships and work issues. They may also experience anger, blame, and frustration that have built up in their lives due to their symptoms. Psychosocial treatments can help patients and their families develop new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating.
Psychotherapy can include cognitive behavior therapy, a form of psychotherapy that assists individuals change their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, and strategies for teaching that help improve self-esteem and organizational skills. This can be done individually or in a group setting. Metacognitive therapy has proven to significantly reduce symptoms among adults with ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson and colleagues. 2002).
Certain people with ADHD might also require counseling to help them overcome specific life challenges. These challenges may include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, or difficulty in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help develop techniques to manage these situations and improve communication and problem-solving abilities. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, particularly in long-term marriages or other partnerships.
Family therapy and supportive groups therapy are also types of psychotherapy that could be utilized to treat ADHD. These can help families cope with the stress of having a child with ADHD and help improve communication and reduce conflict. It can also assist parents to learn about the disorder and develop parenting techniques that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD must discuss their medication regularly with their physicians and also disclose any other medications, including over-the drug products. Certain medications can cause adverse reactions or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough assessment and diagnosis, it is important to monitor the patient to ensure that he/she reaps the benefits of the medication and does not suffer from side adverse effects. It is recommended to consult a patient for the initial medical monitoring within 30 days of beginning treatment and every month thereafter. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines) this allows for a complete titration to an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response and helps to avoid keeping a sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medication or who have side effects that are intolerable may benefit from nonstimulant medications. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine or other methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically suffer from comorbid disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. Moreover, they may have persistent sleep disturbances or medical issues such as vision and hearing disorders. It is crucial to identify and assess these conditions as part of the initial evaluation for ADHD because they can have a significant impact on functional impairment in adults.
Marital therapy can also be beneficial in the treatment of ADHD. Couples often say that they feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities to care for their spouses with ADHD and can become angry and angry as a result. Making the patient aware of the symptoms of his/her condition and helping to understand that these are not willful actions or a lack of affection can reduce marital tensions and resentment. Couples who go through this kind of therapy tend to be more functional as a family.
Behavioral Therapy
For people who suffer from ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate a cognitive-behavioral component. Behavioral therapy assists patients in learning to improve their organizational skills and focus, as well as control the impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their social, work and home environments more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients to understand how their disorder impacts various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help decrease the shame and low self-esteem that is often seen in those with ADHD, who may be considered lazy or less intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by many psychiatric disorders. For treating add are seen at a high rate in adult ADHD patients, and depression is found in greater numbers among people suffering from the disorder. If needed the presence of other psychiatric disorders must be evaluated to determine if ADHD symptoms are a result of them.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated with an amalgamation of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been established that the combination of psychotherapy and medication can produce better results than either therapy on its own. Future controlled medication studies will attempt to monitor and evaluate improvements in functional performance, for example, improved functioning in school or at work, as well as interpersonal relations.