Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults with adhd are treated with therapy, medication and support from family members. Individuals can also take part in clinical trials to try new ways of treating ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to benefit from stimulant medication. They must be monitored regularly. add treatment natural means monthly appointments with a doctor and regular review of symptoms.
Medicines
There are a variety of medications that can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are referred to 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 select the right medication for you and will decide on the most appropriate dosage and schedule. It could take some time to find the right dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.
Stimulants are typically the first prescribed medication by doctors for adults suffering from ADHD. These medicines increase the amounts of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which improve your ability to focus and control impulses. They are available in short-, intermediate-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last for about 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 effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medicines. However, they may induce sleepiness and a change in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) can be used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause unwanted adverse negative effects. These medications don't alter your norepinephrine or dopamine levels, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain and increase your ability to focus. The capsules are taken one or twice a day.
Some adults with ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. These are called comorbid conditions and they can impact how you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before beginning treatment for ADHD, it's important to address any comorbidities. Patients with a history of substance abuse disorder are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until someone has quit using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interaction process of talking and discussing issues that may be disturbing or troubling to someone. The therapist gives advice in accordance with their qualifications, experience, training, and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues, or long-term (months or years) in which a person is working on more complicated and longstanding issues. The duration and frequency of treatment is determined by the therapist and the patient together.
The use of psychotherapy and drugs together is an extremely effective treatment for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their ability to manage their time, organize and prioritizing. It can also teach strategies to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms, increase focus and lead to better work and academic performance.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely of having co-existing disorders. This is particularly relevant for mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing condition. The treatment of co-existing conditions might require different kinds of medication and doses than the ones prescribed to treat ADHD.
A person suffering from ADHD may also suffer from hypertension. Choosing a medication that treats the ADHD symptoms but doesn't affect the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires knowledge of how different medications affect people over time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between medications.
It is important to choose an therapist with whom you have a good relationship, and who has experience treating adults with ADHD. It is also crucial to schedule your first few sessions when you're not distracted by family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD face a variety of challenges in their lives, including issues at work and with relationships. A person with ADHD may be prone to anger, frustration and blame that has developed over time. Psychosocial therapies can aid patients and their families to develop new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type psychotherapy that helps people change their thinking and behavior. It includes goal-setting, skills training and practice, as well as teaching strategies to increase self-esteem and organizational skills. It can be conducted in groups or individually. A few studies have proven that metacognitive treatment can significantly reduce symptoms and improve performance for adults suffering from ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD require counseling to address specific issues. These may include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behavior, or difficulty managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can help teach how to handle these situations, improve communication and improve problem-solving skills. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, especially in long-term marriages or other relationships.
Family therapy and supportive groups therapy are two other types of psychotherapy that can be utilized to treat ADHD. These can help families cope with the stress of having a child who has ADHD, as well as help improve communication and reduce conflict. It can aid parents understand the disorder and develop parenting strategies that promote positive outcomes for their children.
It is essential for people with ADHD to discuss their medications with their health care professionals regularly, and to reveal all other medications they're taking, including any over-the-counter medications. Certain medications can cause side effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis is made it is crucial that the patient is monitored to ensure that they are receiving the benefits of the medication and not experiencing any adverse side effects. It is recommended that a patient be referred for a first clinical examination within 30 days of initiating treatment and monthly following that. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines, methylphenidate) this allows for complete titration to an effective and well-tolerated dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patients' response and helps to avoid keeping a sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
Adults who aren't responding well to stimulant medications or suffer from adverse effects that are unpalatable could benefit from non-stimulant medications. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults with ADHD often have comorbid disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. They may also suffer from medical issues like hearing and vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. It is essential to identify and evaluate such conditions in the initial assessment for ADHD because they can have a significant impact on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. spouses feel overwhelmed by the caretaking duties of their spouses who suffer from ADHD and may become resentful or angry as a consequence. Increasing the patient's awareness of the symptoms of his/her illness and helping them understand that these aren't impulsive acts or a lack of affection can reduce marital tensions and resentment. Couples who go through this kind of therapy typically experience better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For adults with ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate a cognitive-behavioral component. Behavioral therapy helps patients improve their organizational skills, focus and control their impulsive behaviors. It helps patients manage their work, home, and social situations in more productive ways. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition affects different aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help decrease the self-doubt and shame that is often seen in adults with ADHD who are considered lazy or less intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders can be akin to ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. If necessary, the presence of other mental disorders should be evaluated to determine if ADHD symptoms are a result of them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been demonstrated that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is utilized, the results are better than the results of either treatment alone. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to track and measure the improvement in functional aspects such as improved functioning at school, workplace and interpersonal relationships.