Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adults with adhd focuses on medication, therapy and support from family members. Clinical trials are being conducted to test new treatments for ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are the most likely to benefit from stimulant medications. But they need to be constantly monitored. This includes regular appointments with a physician and frequent examinations of symptoms.
Medicines
Many medications can be used to treat the symptoms of ADHD among adults. adhd treatment in adults are known as psychostimulants, and they work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will choose the best medication for you and will determine the most appropriate dosage and time to take it. It could take some time to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that is able to control your symptoms.
Stimulants are typically the first medication doctors prescribe for adults suffering from ADHD. They increase the amount of dopamine found in your brain and norepinephrine which allows you to manage your thoughts and keep your focus. They are available in short-, intermediate- and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medicines last between 8 and 10 hours, while long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely cause side effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medications. However, they can still cause sleepiness and change in appetite.
Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera), are used to treat adults with ADHD if stimulants do not perform or cause undesirable side effects. These medicines don't affect the levels of norepinephrine or dopamine however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain and improve your ability to focus. adhd in adults treatment are consumed once or two times a day.
Some adults with ADHD may also suffer from other psychiatric disorders, like depression and anxiety. These conditions are known as comorbidities and may influence how you respond to ADHD treatment. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbid issues. People with a history substance abuse disorders are more likely to use psychostimulants. For this reason, it's generally advised to wait until the person has removed themselves from using substances before evaluating treatment with stimulants for ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process that involves discussing and discussing issues that cause anxiety or are disturbing to a person. The therapist offers guidance on the basis of his or her training, experience, credentials, and the therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy could 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 attempting to resolve more complicated and longstanding issues. The therapist and the patient decide on the length and frequency of treatment.
The use of psychotherapy and drugs together is a highly effective treatment for adults suffering from 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. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms, increase focus, and result in better work and academic performance.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing disorders, including mood disorders like anxiety and depression. 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 the ones used to treat ADHD.
For example, a person with ADHD could also be suffering from hypertension. To choose a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing instability to the patient's hypertension, it is important to understand how various medications affect individuals over time and the interactions between medications.
It is important to choose an therapist with whom you have good relations, and who is experienced in treating adults with ADHD. It is 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 work and relationship problems. They may also experience anger, blame and frustration that have accumulated in their lives due to their symptoms. Psychosocial treatments can aid patients and their families to develop new attitudes, skills and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy can also include cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy that assists individuals change their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, training and practice of skills, as well as methods of teaching to improve self-esteem and organizational skills. It can be done in a private or in a group. Metacognitive therapy has been proven to significantly reduce symptoms among adults suffering from ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson, et al., 2002).
Certain people with ADHD may also require therapy to help them overcome specific life issues. This could include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, or difficulty dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can teach techniques to deal with these situations and increase communication and problem-solving abilities. It can also help improve interpersonal relationships, particularly in long-term marriages or other partnerships.
Family therapy and support groups therapy are two other types of psychotherapy that could be utilized to treat ADHD. These therapies can assist families in coping and learn skills to reduce conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child suffering from ADHD. It can also assist parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting techniques that promote positive outcomes for their children.
It is crucial for people with ADHD to discuss their medications with their health care providers regularly, and to disclose all other medications they are taking, including prescription drugs. Certain medications can trigger side effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis is made, it is crucial that the patient be monitored to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of medication and not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended to consult the patient for the initial clinical assessment within 30 days after starting treatment and then every month after that. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines) this enables thorough titration to an effective and well-tolerated dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response and helps to avoid the patient from being kept on doses that are not sufficient (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses onto unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
For adults who are not responding well to stimulant medication or experience uncontrollable side effects the use of nonstimulant medication may be indicated. Most often, this is the use of atomoxetine or other methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are frequently affected by comorbid conditions, like depression or drug abuse. In addition, they may experience chronic sleep disorders or medical issues like vision and hearing disorders. It is important to screen and evaluate such conditions as part of the initial evaluation for ADHD since these can have significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
Marital therapy is also useful in the treatment of ADHD. Many spouses report that they are overwhelmed by the responsibilities to care for their spouses who have ADHD and may become resentful and angry due to this. Making the patient aware of the signs of their condition and helping them realize that these are not willful actions or a lack of love can reduce marital tensions and resentment. Couples who go through this kind of therapy typically experience better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD is typically advised. It should include a cognitive and behavioral component. Behavioral therapy helps patients improve their focus, organization skills and control their impulsive behaviors. It helps patients manage their social, work and home environments more efficiently. Psychotherapy assists patients in understanding how their condition affects different aspects of their lives and relationships. This helps reduce the shame and low-esteem that are commonly seen in adults with ADHD. They could be perceived by others as being lazy or less intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by a variety of mental disorders. For example anxiety disorders are seen at a high rate in adults ADHD patients, and depression is found at increased levels in people suffering from the disorder. If necessary, the presence of other mental disorders should be assessed to determine if ADHD symptoms are caused by them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is typically recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is used results are more favorable than treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies should aim to track and measure the effects of functional improvements, such as better performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.