Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment of adhd in adults includes therapy, medication and support from family members. Patients can also take part in clinical trials that test new approaches to treating ADHD.
The stimulant medications are the most effective treatment for adults with ADHD. They require monitoring regularly. This includes monthly appointments with a doctor, and frequent reviews of symptoms and side effects.
Medicines
There are a variety of medications that can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications are called psychostimulants. They function by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will choose the best medication for you and will determine the best dose and schedule to take it. It could take a while to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that control your symptoms.
The first medication that doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. These medicines increase the amounts of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which increase your ability to concentrate and control impulses. They are available in short-, intermediateand long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last around 6 hours, intermediate-acting drugs last 8-10 hours, and long-acting medicines last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause adverse reactions than shorter- or intermediate-acting medications. However, they may induce sleepiness and a change in appetite.
Nonstimulant medicines, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unpleasant side negative effects. These medications don't affect your dopamine or norepinephrine levels, but they increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine. They also improve your concentration. These capsules are taken once or twice a day.
Certain adults who suffer from ADHD suffer from co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. These are referred to as comorbid conditions and can affect how you respond to treatment for ADHD. It's important to treat any comorbid disorders prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. For instance, those who have an history of using substances disorder are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. For this reason, it's often advisable to wait until the patient has removed themselves from using substances before evaluating treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a method of therapy that involves talking and discussing topics that cause anxiety or are disturbing for a person. The therapist offers guidance in accordance with their qualifications, experience, training, and the therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) and can address more immediate issues, or long-term. The therapist and patient determine the duration and frequency of treatment.
Psychotherapy and medication are a highly effective way to treat adults suffering from 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. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms, increase concentration and improve academic and work performance.
Adults with ADHD are more likely of having co-existing disorders. This is particularly true for mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing condition. The treatment of co-existing conditions may require different types of medications and dosages than those prescribed to treat ADHD.
For instance, a patient who suffers from ADHD could also be suffering from hypertension. Choosing a medication that treats the ADHD symptoms but does not alter the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires understanding how different medications affect people over time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between medications.
It is essential to locate a therapist who has had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you feel at ease. It's also important to schedule your first few sessions during times when you aren't distracted by family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD face a variety of challenges in their lives, including problems at work and in relationships. A person with ADHD may also experience anger, frustration and blame that has developed over time. Numerous psychosocial therapies have been proven to help them and their families develop new behaviors, skills, and ways of communicating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type psychotherapy that helps people alter their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, training and practice of skills, as well as strategies for teaching that help improve self-esteem and organizational skills. It can be done in a private or in a group setting. Some studies have shown that metacognitive treatment can significantly reduce symptoms and improve functioning in adults with ADHD (Stevenson and colleagues 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also require counseling to address specific life challenges. These challenges may include family conflicts, aggressive or impulsive behaviors, and difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can teach the skills to manage these situations, improve communication and improve problem-solving skills. It can also improve relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term partnerships.
Family therapy and support groups therapy are also types of psychotherapy that can be used to treat ADHD. These can help families deal with the anxiety of having a child with ADHD, as well as develop skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can also assist parents to learn about the disorder and develop parenting strategies that promote positive outcomes for their children.
It is important for adults with ADHD to discuss their medications with their health care professionals regularly, and to reveal all other medications they're taking, including prescription drugs. Certain medications can trigger adverse effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis, it is important to monitor the patient's condition to ensure that he/she reaps the benefits of the medication and does not experience side effects. It is recommended that patients be seen for an initial medical check-up within 30 days of initiating treatment and then every month thereafter. This permits a thorough adjustment of psychostimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines to a well-tolerated, effective dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patients' response and prevents the patient from being a the patient with a sensitive response on doses that are not sufficient.
Adults who are not responding well to stimulant medications or have unwanted side effects that are difficult to tolerate could benefit from non-stimulant medications. Most often, this is the use of atomoxetine or other methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults who suffer from ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. They might also be suffering from medical problems like hearing and vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. It is important to screen and assess these conditions in the initial assessment for ADHD because they can have a significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
Marital therapy can also be beneficial in the management of ADHD. Couples often say that they feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities to care for their spouses with ADHD and may become resentful and angry in the process. increasing the awareness of the patient about the signs of their condition and helping them realize that these aren't willful acts or a lack of affection can help reduce marital tensions and resentment. Couples who undergo this type of therapy generally experience a better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD is usually recommended. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy can help patients improve their organizational skills, focus and control their impulsive behaviors. It teaches patients to manage their work, home and adhd in adults treatment social settings in more productive ways. Psychotherapy also helps patients understand how their disorder affects various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help alleviate the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are often experienced by adults with ADHD who are considered lazy or less intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by a variety of mental disorders. For instance anxiety disorders are seen at a higher rate in adult ADHD patients and depression is seen at increased levels in adults with the disorder. The presence of other psychiatric problems should be evaluated, as appropriate, to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are related to them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is usually recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that a combination of psychotherapy and medication yields superior results over either treatment alone. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to measure and track the improvement in functional aspects such as improved functioning at school, workplace, and interpersonal relationships.