Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults with adhd are treated by medication, therapy and support from the family. Clinical trials are available to test new treatments for ADHD.
Adults with ADHD are the most likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. They need to be monitored regularly. This means monthly appointments with a doctor and frequent reviews of symptoms.
Medicines
There are a variety of medications that can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are known as psychostimulants. They function by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will determine the right medication for you and will decide on the most appropriate dosage and timetable. It could take a while to find the right dosage and medication that control your symptoms.
Stimulants are often the first medication doctors prescribe for adults suffering from ADHD. 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 versions. Short-acting stimulants can last for up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours. Long-acting stimulants last from 8 to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer side effects than shorterand intermediate-acting drugs, however they still cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera), are used to treat adults with ADHD if stimulants do not perform or cause undesirable adverse effects. These medications don't affect your dopamine or norepinephrine levels, but they increase the brain's supply of norepinephrine, which improves your ability to concentrate. These capsules are consumed once or twice a day.
Some adults with ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. These conditions are known as comorbidities and may affect your response to ADHD treatment. It's important to treat any comorbid conditions before starting treatment for ADHD. People who have a history of addiction to drugs are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until someone has stopped using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process that involves discussing and talking about topics that cause distress or anxiety to a person. The therapist gives advice in accordance with their training, experience, credentials and the philosophy of therapy. Psychotherapy could 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 complicated and longstanding issues. The duration and frequency of the treatment is decided by the therapist and patient together.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication is an extremely effective method to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their ability to manage their time, organize and prioritizing; it can also teach strategies for managing emotions like anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms and improve concentration, which results in more efficient and successful work and academic performance.
Adults suffering from ADHD have a higher risk of co-existing illnesses. This is especially true for mood disorders like anxiety and depression. 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 medication and doses than the medications used to treat ADHD.
A person who suffers from ADHD can also have hypertension. Selecting a medication that addresses the ADHD symptoms but doesn't affect the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires knowledge of how different medications affect individuals over time and an understanding of the interactions between different medications.
It's crucial to locate a therapist who has had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you are comfortable. It is important to schedule your first few sessions at a time that you won't be distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD have many difficulties in their lives, such as problems at work and in relationships. People with ADHD can also experience anger, frustration and blame that has developed over time. Psychosocial treatments can aid patients and their families develop new skills, attitudes, and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy can include cognitive behavior therapy, which is a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals modify their thinking and behavior. It includes goal-setting, skills training and practice, and methods to help improve self-esteem and organization. It can be conducted in groups or individually. A few studies have proven that treatment for metacognitive disorders can reduce symptoms and improve performance for adults suffering from ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors, 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD require counseling to deal with specific life challenges. These could include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behavior, or difficulties managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can teach the strategies to manage these situations, improve communication and increase problem-solving capabilities. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These therapies can assist families in coping and learn skills to reduce conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child who has ADHD. It also helps parents understand the disorder and develop parenting styles that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
adult add treatment suffering from ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their physicians and also disclose any other medications, such as over-the prescription drugs. Certain medications can cause adverse effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis, it is essential to monitor the patient to ensure that he/she receives the benefits of the medication and does not experience side negative effects. It is recommended that a patient be seen for a first clinical examination within 30 days of beginning treatment, and every month afterward. In the case of 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 reaction and helps avoid keeping the patient with a sensitive response on doses that are not sufficient.
For adults who are not responding well to stimulant medication or experience uncontrollable side effects the use of nonstimulant medications may be indicated. Most often, this is the use of atomoxetine or other related methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring disorders such as mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. They may also suffer from medical problems like hearing and vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. It is important to screen and analyze 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. spouses feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses suffering from ADHD and may become resentful or angry as a consequence. increasing the awareness of the patient about the symptoms of his/her illness and helping to understand that these aren't willful actions or lack of love can help to reduce resentment and marital difficulties. Couples who undergo this kind of therapy tend to have better functioning families.
Behavioral Therapy
For adults with ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate a cognitive-behavioral component. Behavioral therapy assists patients in improving their organization skills, focus and control their impulsive behaviors. It helps patients learn to manage their social, work and home life more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients to understand how their disorder impacts various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help alleviate the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are often experienced by people with ADHD who are thought of as lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by various psychiatric disorders. For example anxiety disorders are found at a high rate in adults ADHD patients, and depression is found at increased levels in adults with the disorder. If it is necessary, the presence of other psychiatric disorders should be evaluated to determine whether ADHD symptoms are a result of them.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated using a combination of pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy. It has been demonstrated that a combination of psychotherapy and medication can produce superior results over either treatment alone. Future controlled medication studies will attempt to track and evaluate improvements in functional performance, for example, better functioning at school, the workplace, and interpersonal relations.