Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adults with adhd focuses on medication, therapy and support from family members. Individuals can also take part in clinical trials to try new approaches to treating ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are most likely to benefit from stimulant medications. They must be monitored regularly. This includes regular appointments with a physician and regular review of symptoms.
Medicines
There are many drugs that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are known as psychostimulants and they alter the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will choose the right medication for you and will determine the most appropriate dosage and time to take it. It may take a while to find the right medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.
Stimulants are typically the first prescription medication doctors recommend to adults suffering from ADHD. These medications increase the amount of dopamine in your brain and norepinephrine which aids in controlling your impulses and focus. They come in short-, intermediate-and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants can last for up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours. Long-acting stimulants last from 8 to 16. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause negative effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting medicines, but they still can cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine, (Strattera), are used to treat adult ADHD if stimulants do not work or cause undesirable adverse effects. These medicines do not affect your norepinephrine or dopamine levels however they increase the amount of norepinephrine that's available to your brain, and improve your ability to concentrate. These medicines come in capsules and are taken either twice or three times each day.
Some adults with ADHD suffer from co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. These are called comorbid conditions and they can influence how you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbidities. People with a history substance abuse disorder are more likely to use psychostimulants. For this reason, it's generally advised to wait until the patient has stopped using substances before considering treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a method of therapy that involves discussing and talking about topics that cause anxiety or are disturbing for a person. treatment for adult add listens and provides guidance based on his or his or her training, education, experience, professional credentials and therapeutic theories. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues or more long-term (months or years) in which a person is working on 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 with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can assist people improve their time management, organizational skills and prioritizing. It can also teach methods to manage emotions such as anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms and increase focus, leading to more effective and efficient academic and work performance.
Adults with ADHD have a higher risk of co-existing conditions. This is particularly true for mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Before starting treatment for ADHD, it is important to treat any co-existing disorders. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different forms and dosages of medication than the ones used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a person who suffers from ADHD might also be suffering from hypertension. To choose a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing destabilization of the hypertension of the patient it is essential to know how different medications affect individuals in the course of time, as well as the interactions between the medications.
It is important to choose an therapy provider with whom you have a good relations, and who has experience in treating adults with ADHD. It's important to schedule your first few sessions at a time when you won't be distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have many issues in their lives, including relationships and work problems. A person with ADHD may be prone to anger, frustration and blame that has been accumulated over time. A variety of psychosocial treatments have been proven to aid them and their families learn new attitudes, skills and ways of connecting.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that assists people in changing their habits and thoughts. It includes goal-setting, skill training and practice, and methods to help improve self-esteem and organization. It can be carried out in groups or individually. Some studies have shown that metacognitive treatment can significantly reduce symptoms and improve functioning in adults with ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD also require counseling to deal with specific life issues. These may include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulties managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can help you develop the skills to help manage these situations and improve communication and problem-solving skills. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, particularly in marriages or other long-term relationships.
Family therapy and supportive groups therapy are also types of psychotherapy that could be used to treat ADHD. These can help families cope with the anxiety of having a child suffering from ADHD and teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can aid parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting methods that encourage positive results in their children.
It is essential for adults with ADHD to discuss their medications with their health care providers regularly, and to reveal all other medications they're taking, including over-the-counter drugs. Certain medications may interact with certain medications or trigger side effects that are worsened by other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis, it is important to monitor the patient to ensure that he/she reaps the benefits of the medication and does not suffer from side effects. It is recommended to consult the patient for the initial medical monitoring within 30 days of beginning treatment and then every month following that. This will allow for a thorough adjustment of psychostimulants like amphetamines and methylphenidate to a well-tolerated, effective dose. This allows for a precise registration of the patient's reaction and helps to avoid having sensitive patients remain on insufficient doses (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses on unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
For adults who are unable to respond effectively to stimulant medications or experience uncontrollable side effects the use of non-stimulant drugs could be recommended. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults with ADHD are often affected by comorbid disorders, like depression or drug abuse. They may also have medical problems like hearing and vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD it is crucial to detect such conditions and evaluate them. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments for adults.
ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. Couples complain of being overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses with ADHD and may become angry or resentful as a consequence. increasing the awareness of the patient about the signs of their condition and helping to understand that these are not willful actions or a lack of love can help to reduce marital tensions and resentment. Couples who go through this kind of therapy tend to have better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is generally advised. It should include a cognitive and behavioral component. Behavioral therapy assists patients in improving their focus, organization skills and control their impulsive behaviors. It helps patients manage their social, work and home life more efficiently. Psychotherapy assists patients in understanding how their condition affects various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help alleviate the shame and low self-esteem that are often experienced by people with ADHD who are considered lazy or less intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders can be akin to ADHD symptoms. For instance, anxiety disorders occur at a high rate in adult ADHD patients and depression is observed at higher levels in those suffering from the disorder. If necessary the presence of other psychiatric disorders must be assessed to determine whether ADHD symptoms are a result of them.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated with a combination of pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy. It has been established that the combination of psychotherapy and medication can produce better results than either therapy on its own. Future controlled medication studies should aim to track and measure the improvement in functional aspects such as improved performance at work, school and interpersonal relationships.