Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment of adhd in adults includes therapy, medication and family support. Individuals can also take part in clinical trials to test new methods of treating ADHD.
treatment for add in adults with ADHD are the most likely to benefit from stimulant medication. However, they must be monitored regularly. This includes monthly clinical appointments and regular examinations of symptoms.
Medications
Numerous medications can be used to treat symptoms of ADHD among adults. These are known as psychostimulants. They work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will choose the right medication for you and determine the best dose and schedule to take it. It could take a while to determine the proper dosage and medication to control your symptoms.
The first medication that doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. These drugs increase the amount of dopamine in your brain and norepinephrine, which helps you to control your impulses and focus. The medications are available in short-, medium-and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants can last for up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medicines last for 8-10 hours. Long-acting stimulants last from 8 to 16. Long-acting stimulants are less likely cause adverse effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medications. However, they can induce sleepiness and a change in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unwanted adverse negative effects. These medications do not alter your norepinephrine or dopamine, but they increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine, which improves your focus. These medications are available in capsule form and are taken once or twice every day.
Certain adults who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. These are referred to as comorbid conditions and they can influence how you react to treatment for ADHD. It's important to treat any comorbid conditions before starting treatment for ADHD. People with a history substance abuse disorder are more likely to use psychostimulants. It is recommended to wait until someone has quit using drugs before using stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a method of therapy that involves talking and discussing topics that are troubling or disturbing to the person. The therapist gives advice on the basis of his or her education, experience, credentials, and the philosophy of therapy. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a couple of weeks or months) and can address more immediate issues, or more long-term. The duration and frequency of treatment is determined by the therapist and patient together.
Psychotherapy and medication are an extremely effective method to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their abilities to organize their lives, manage their time and prioritizing; it can also teach strategies for managing emotions such as anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms and improve focus, which leads to more efficient and successful academic and work performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a higher risk of co-existing conditions. This is particularly true for mood disorders like depression and anxiety. It is crucial that any co-existing condition be treated before beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment of co-existing disorders could require different types and dosages of medication than those used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a patient with ADHD may also have hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms, but does not destabilize the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires knowledge of how various medications affect people over time and an understanding of the interactions between various medications.
It is important to choose an therapist with whom you have good relations, and who has experience treating adults with ADHD. It is also crucial to schedule your first few sessions when you won't be distracted by family responsibilities or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD often face many problems in their lives, such as relationships and work problems. The person who has ADHD might be prone to anger, frustration and blame that has developed over time. Several psychosocial treatments have been proven to help them and their families learn new skills, attitudes and ways of relating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people alter their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, skill training and practice, as well as methods to help improve self-esteem and organization. It can be conducted in individual or group sessions. Some studies have shown that metacognitive treatment can significantly reduce symptoms and improve performance for adults suffering from ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors, 2002).
Some people suffering from ADHD may also require therapy to help them overcome particular life challenges. This could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulty managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can teach strategies to help deal with these situations and enhance communication and problem-solving skills. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, particularly in marriages or other long-term relationships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy as well as supportive group therapy. These can assist families to cope with the stress of having a child with ADHD, as well as teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It also helps parents recognize the symptoms and develop parenting strategies that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medications regularly with their doctors and also disclose any other medications, including over the drug products. Certain medications may interact with specific medications or cause side effects that are worsened by other medicines.
Medication Monitoring
After a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis is made it is essential to monitor the patient to ensure that they are receiving the benefits of the medication and is not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended that a patient be examined for an initial medical check-up within 30 days of beginning treatment and monthly following that. This permits the proper adjustment of psychostimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamines to a safe, effective dose. This allows accurate registration of the patients' response and helps to avoid keeping a sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
Adults who aren't responding well to stimulant medications or have unwanted side effects that are difficult to tolerate may benefit from nonstimulant medications. This is usually the case with atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults who suffer from ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring disorders such as mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. Additionally, they may suffer from chronic sleep disturbances or medical issues like hearing and vision disorders. It is important to screen and assess these conditions in the initial evaluation for ADHD since these can have significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. Spouses often report that they are overwhelmed by the responsibilities to care for their spouses with ADHD and can become resentful and angry due to this. Reduced resentment can be achieved by enhancing the patient's understanding of his/her condition, and helping them to understand that the symptoms are not due to an absence of willfulness or love. Couples who go through this type of therapy typically experience better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For adults with ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate an element of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy helps patients improve their focus, organization skills and manage impulsive behavior. It helps patients learn to manage their social, work and home life more efficiently. Psychotherapy helps patients to understand how their disorder impacts various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can reduce the stigma and feelings of shame that are commonly seen in people with ADHD. They might be perceived by others as lazy or inexperienced.
Many psychiatric disorders mimic ADHD symptoms. For example, anxiety disorders occur at a higher rate in adults ADHD patients and depression is seen at higher levels in adults with the disorder. The presence of other psychiatric problems should be evaluated, as appropriate, to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are linked to them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is typically recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been demonstrated that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is employed the results are superior than either treatment alone. Future controlled studies must attempt to track and measure the improvement in functional aspects such as improved performance at work, school and interpersonal relationships.