Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment of adhd in adults is based on therapy, medication and family support. Clinical trials are available to test the effectiveness of new treatments for ADHD.
Stimulant medications are the most effective treatment for adults with ADHD. They need to be monitored regularly. add in adults treatment includes regular clinical appointments, and frequent reviews of symptoms and side effects.
Medications
Numerous medications can be used to treat symptoms of ADHD among adults. These are referred to as psychostimulants. They work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will recommend a medication that's right for you and will determine the most effective dose and time to take it. It may take some time to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.
The first medication doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. These medicines increase the amounts of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which increase your ability to concentrate and manage impulses. The medications are available in short-, mediumand long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants can last up to up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours. Long-acting stimulants last from 8 to 16. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause adverse effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medicines, but they still can cause an increase in appetite and sleepiness.
Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera), are used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants don't perform or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medicines don't affect your dopamine or norepinephrine, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine that's available to your brain and improve your ability to concentrate. These medicines come in capsules and can be taken once or twice every day.
Certain adults who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. These conditions are known as comorbidities, and they can affect your response to ADHD treatment. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbidities. Patients with a history of substance abuse disorder are more likely to use psychostimulants. It is best to wait until a person has stopped 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 listens and offers guidance based on his or her training, education, experience as well as professional qualifications and therapeutic philosophies. Psychotherapy can be short-term, (a few weeks or months) or addressing more immediate issues, or long-term. The duration and frequency of the treatment is decided by the patient and therapist together.
The use of psychotherapy and medications together is a highly effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can assist people improve their time management, organizational skills and prioritizing. It can also teach methods to manage emotions like anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms and improve concentration, which results in more efficient and successful academic and work.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing disorders, including mood disorders like anxiety and depression. It is crucial that any co-existing conditions be treated prior to starting treatment for ADHD. The treatment of co-existing conditions might require different kinds of medications and dosages than those prescribed to treat ADHD.
For instance, a patient with ADHD might 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 knowledge of how various medications affect individuals over time and an understanding of the interactions between different medications.
It's important to find an professional with whom you share a a good relationship, and who is experienced in treating adults with ADHD. It is crucial to schedule your first few sessions at a time that you will not be distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD typically face a variety of problems in their lives, such as relationships and work issues. A person with ADHD may also experience anger, frustration and guilt that has been accumulated over time. Psychosocial treatments can help patients and their families to develop new abilities, attitudes and ways of communicating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people alter their thinking and behavior. It includes goal-setting, skills training and practice, as well as teaching strategies to increase self-esteem and organizational skills. This can be accomplished individually or in a group. Metacognitive therapy has been proven to significantly reduce symptoms in adults suffering from ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson, et al., 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also need counseling to deal with specific life difficulties. These difficulties could include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, and difficulty coping with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help develop how to handle these situations, improve communication, and increase problem-solving capabilities. It can also improve relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term partnerships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These can help families deal with the stress of having a child suffering from ADHD, as well as help improve communication and reduce conflict. It can assist parents understand the disorder, and develop parenting techniques that encourage positive outcomes in their children.
It is important for people suffering from ADHD to discuss their medications with their healthcare providers regularly, and to disclose all other medications they are taking, including any over-the-counter medications. Some medications can cause adverse effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis is made, it is important that the patient is monitored to ensure that he or she is receiving the benefits of the medication and not experiencing side effects. It is recommended to visit a patient for the initial clinical monitoring within 30days of starting treatment, and then every month following that. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this allows for complete titration to an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This permits accurate recording 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 medication or have unwanted side effects that are difficult to tolerate may benefit from nonstimulant medications. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are frequently affected by comorbid conditions, like depression or drug abuse. They might also be suffering from medical conditions like hearing or vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. It is essential to identify and assess these conditions as part of the initial assessment for ADHD since these can have significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be treated through marital therapy. Couples complain of being overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses suffering from ADHD and can be angry or resentful due to this. Reduced resentment can be achieved by enhancing the patient's understanding of the illness, and helping them to understand that the symptoms are not due to a lack in willfulness or love. Couples who undergo this type of therapy are more likely to be more functional as a family.
Behavioral Therapy
For people who suffer from ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include the cognitive-behavioral aspect. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their organizational skills and focus, as well as control an impulsive behaviour. It helps patients learn to manage their social, work, and home situations more effectively. Psychotherapy can also help patients understand how their disorder affects different areas of their lives and relationships. This can help reduce the stigma and feelings of shame that are often seen among people with ADHD. They may be perceived by others as being lazy or inexperienced.
ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by many mental disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. If needed, the presence of other psychiatric disorders must be assessed to determine if ADHD symptoms are a result of them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is usually recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been shown that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is employed, the results are better than either treatment alone. Future controlled medication studies will attempt to monitor and evaluate improvements in functional performance, for example, improved functioning in school as well as in the workplace and interpersonal relations.