Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults with adhd are treated through medication, therapy, and family support. Clinical trials are available to test new treatments for ADHD.
The stimulant medications are the most effective medications for adults with ADHD. However, they must be monitored regularly. This means monthly appointments with a doctor and frequent examinations of symptoms.
Medicines
Numerous medications can be used to treat symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are known as psychostimulants and they alter the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) which transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will choose the most appropriate medication for your needs, and determine the best dosage and schedule. It may take a while to find the right medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.
The first medication doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. These drugs increase the amount of dopamine that is present in your brain, and also norepinephrine which allows you to manage your thoughts and keep your focus. They are available in short-, intermediate-and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants last for about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours, and long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause side effects than intermediate or shorter-acting medications. However, they may still cause sleepiness and change in appetite.
Nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine, (Strattera), are used to treat adult ADHD in cases where stimulants don't work or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medications don't alter the levels of norepinephrine or dopamine however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain, and improve your ability to focus. These medications are available in capsules and can be taken either twice or three times each day.
Some adults with ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression. These are referred to as comorbid conditions and can affect the way you respond to treatment for ADHD. It is important to address any comorbidities prior to starting treatment for ADHD. For instance, those who have an addiction history to drugs or disorder may be more likely to use psychostimulants. For this reason, it's generally advised to wait until the person has stopped using substances before considering treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves discussing and discussing issues that cause anxiety or are disturbing to the person. The therapist offers guidance in accordance with their training, experience, credentials and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a couple of weeks or months), addressing more immediate issues, or more long-term. The therapist and patient decide on the duration and frequency of treatment.
Psychotherapy and medication are an extremely effective method to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their time management, organizational skills, and prioritizing. It can also teach methods to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. Info of medication can help reduce symptoms and improve focus, which leads to more productive and effective academic and work performance.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to have co-existing issues, especially mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Before starting treatment for ADHD, it is important to treat any co-existing conditions. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different types and dosages of medication than the ones used to treat ADHD.
A person suffering from ADHD can also have hypertension. To pick a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms without causing instability to the hypertension of the patient, it is important to understand how different medications affect people over time and the interactions between medications.
It is essential to find the right professional with whom you share a an excellent relationship and who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. It's important to schedule your first few sessions at a time that you will not be distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD have many difficulties in their lives, including issues in their relationships and at work. They may also experience anger, blame, and frustration that have developed in their lives because of their symptoms. Psychosocial treatments can help patients and their families develop new abilities, attitudes, and ways of relating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that helps people change their habits and thoughts. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, as well as strategies for teaching that help improve self-esteem and organizational skills. It can be conducted in individual or group sessions. Metacognitive therapy has proven to significantly reduce symptoms in adults suffering from ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson et al. 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also need counseling to address specific life challenges. These could include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, or difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help teach strategies to manage these situations, improve communication, and increase problem-solving capabilities. It can also improve relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Family therapy and supportive groups therapy are two other types of psychotherapy that could be utilized to treat ADHD. These therapies can help families cope and learn skills to reduce conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child who has ADHD. It can also assist parents to recognize the symptoms and develop parenting techniques that promote positive outcomes for their children.
It is crucial for people with 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. Certain medications can interact with certain medications or cause side effects that are worsened by other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis is established, it is important to monitor the patient to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of the medication and is not experiencing side effects. It is recommended that patients be seen for an initial medical check-up within 30 days of starting treatment and monthly afterward. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines) this allows for the gradual titration of an effective and well-tolerated dose. This allows accurate registration of the patient's response and helps avoid keeping the patient with a sensitive response on doses that are not sufficient.
Adults who aren't responding well to stimulant medications or have side effects that are intolerable could benefit from non-stimulant medications. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine, or other related alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually affected by comorbid disorders, like depression or substance abuse. They might also be suffering from medical issues like hearing and vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. It is crucial to identify and analyze these conditions in the initial assessment for ADHD since these can have significant impact on functional impairment in adults.
Marital therapy can also be beneficial in managing ADHD. Spouses often report that they feel overburdened by the responsibilities to care for their spouses with ADHD and can become angry and angry as a result. Reducing resentment can be achieved by enhancing the patient's understanding of his/her illness, and helping them to realize that the symptoms are not the result of an absence of willfulness or love. Couples who go through this type of therapy generally experience a better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For people who suffer from ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate the cognitive-behavioral aspect. Behavioral therapy assists patients in learning to improve their ability to organize their lives and focus, as well as control the impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their social, work and home life more effectively. Psychotherapy can also help patients understand how their disorder affects various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help decrease the shame and low self-esteem that is commonly seen in those with ADHD, who may be viewed as inept or unintelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders may mimic ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from anxiety disorders and depression. The presence of other psychiatric issues should be analyzed in order to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are linked to them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated with the 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 will try to monitor and evaluate functional improvements, such as improvement in school performance or at work, as well as interpersonal relations.