Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment of adhd in adults focuses on medication, therapy and support from family members. Clinical trials are available to test new treatments for ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are most likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. They require monitoring regularly. This means monthly appointments with a doctor and regular reviews of symptoms.
Medicines
Many medications can be used to treat symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications are called psychostimulants. They work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will choose the best medication for you and determine the most effective dose and time to take it. adult add treatments could take some time to determine the proper dosage and medication to control your symptoms.
Stimulants are typically the first prescription medication doctors recommend for adults with ADHD. These medicines increase the amounts of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in your brain, which increase your ability to concentrate and manage impulses. These medicines are available in short-, medium- and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants last for 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours. Long-acting stimulants last from 8 to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer negative effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting medicines, but they can still cause an increase in appetite and sleepiness.
Nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine, (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause undesirable adverse effects. These medications don't alter your dopamine or norepinephrine however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine that's available to your brain and increase your ability to concentrate. These capsules are taken once or twice a day.
Some adults with ADHD suffer from co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety. These conditions are referred to as comorbidities and can influence how you respond to ADHD treatment. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbid issues. For instance, those who have an addiction history to drugs or disorder may be more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until someone has quit using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a method of discussing and discussing issues that may be disturbing or troubling to someone. The therapist listens and offers guidance based on their education, training, experience, professional credentials and therapeutic philosophies. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or even months), addressing more immediate issues, or longer-term. The therapist and patient determine the length and frequency of therapy.
Psychotherapy and medication together are an extremely effective way to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their abilities to organize their lives, manage their time and prioritizing. It can also teach techniques for managing emotions like anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms and increase focus, leading to more effective and efficient work and academic performance.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing issues, especially mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is essential to treat any co-existing condition. The treatment of co-existing disorders could require different types of medication and doses than the ones used to treat ADHD.
A person who suffers from ADHD may also suffer from hypertension. To pick a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms without causing destabilization of the patient's hypertension it is essential to understand how different medications affect individuals over time and the interactions between medications.
It's important that you find a therapist who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD and with whom you feel at ease. It's also important to schedule your first few sessions during times when you won't be distracted by family responsibilities or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD often face many life challenges, including relationships and work issues. The person who has ADHD might also experience anger, frustration and blame that have been accumulated over time. Psychosocial therapies can help patients and their families develop new abilities, attitudes, and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy can also include cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals change their thinking and behavior. It includes goal-setting, skill training and practice, as well as teaching strategies to increase self-esteem and organizational skills. It may be done in group or individual sessions. Metacognitive therapy has been proven to significantly reduce symptoms in adults with ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson and colleagues. 2002).
Some people suffering from ADHD might also require counseling to help them overcome particular issues in their lives. These difficulties could include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behavior, and difficulties in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help teach skills to manage these situations, improve communication and improve problem-solving skills. It can also help improve interpersonal relationships, particularly in long-term marriages or other relationships.
Other forms of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy and supportive group therapy. These therapies can assist families in coping and develop skills to lessen conflict and improve communication when dealing with children who have ADHD. It can also assist parents to learn about the disorder and develop parenting styles that promote positive outcomes for their children.
It is important for people with ADHD to discuss their medications with their healthcare providers regularly, and to reveal all other medications they are taking, including any over-the-counter medications. Some medications can cause adverse reactions or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis, it is important to monitor the patient's progress to ensure that the patient receives the benefits of the medication and doesn't experience any adverse side adverse effects. It is recommended to visit the patient for the initial clinical monitoring within 30days of starting treatment, and then every month following that. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines, methylphenidate) this allows for a thorough titration to an effective dose that is well-tolerated. adult treatment for adhd allows accurate registration of the patient's reaction and helps to avoid keeping a sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medications or have adverse effects that are unpalatable could benefit from non-stimulant medications. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine, or other related alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults suffering from ADHD are frequently affected by comorbid disorders, such as depression or substance 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 important to identify such conditions and evaluate their severity. These conditions could have a significant impact on functional impairments in adults.
ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. Many spouses report that they are overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses who have ADHD and may become resentful and angry due to this. Increasing the patient's awareness of the symptoms of his/her condition and helping them realize that these are not willful actions or a lack of affection can reduce marital conflict and resentment. Couples who go through this kind of therapy tend to have better functioning families.
Behavioral Therapy
For adults with ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include an element of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy assists patients in learning to improve their organizational skills, focus and control impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their work, social and home environments more efficiently. Psychotherapy can also help patients understand how their condition impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This can reduce the shame and low-esteem that are often felt by people suffering from ADHD. They could be perceived by others as being lazy or less intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders can be akin to ADHD symptoms. For instance anxiety disorders are found at a high rate in adult ADHD patients, and depression is found at increased levels in people suffering from the disorder. If needed the presence of any other mental disorders should be evaluated to determine if ADHD symptoms are caused by them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated using the combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been proven 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 measure and track functional improvements such as improved performance at work, school and interpersonal relationships.