Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adults with adhd is based on therapy, medication and support from family members. Individuals can also take part in clinical trials that test new methods of treating ADHD.
Stimulant medications are the most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. They require monitoring regularly. This includes regular clinical appointments and regular reviews of symptoms and side effects.
Medicines
There are many medications that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are referred to as psychostimulants, and they work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will recommend the best medication for you and will determine the best dose and schedule to take it. It may take a while to find the right dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.
Stimulants are typically the first prescribed medication by doctors 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 control impulses. The medications are available in short-, mediumand long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last about 6 hours, intermediate-acting drugs last 8-10 hours, and long-acting medicines last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause adverse effects than intermediate or shorter-acting medicines. However, they can induce sleepiness and a change in appetite.
Nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine, (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD in cases where stimulants don't perform or cause undesirable side effects. These medications do not alter your dopamine or norepinephrine levels however they do increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine, which improves your concentration. These capsules are consumed once or twice a day.
Certain adults who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety. These are referred to as comorbid conditions and can affect how you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbid issues. Patients with a history of addiction to drugs are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interaction process of discussing and talking about 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 philosophical philosophies. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues or longer-term (months or years) in which a person is attempting to resolve more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of the treatment is determined by the therapist and the patient together.
The use of psychotherapy and medications together is an extremely effective treatment for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their abilities to organize their lives, manage their time and prioritizing; it can also teach methods for managing emotions like anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms and improve focus, which leads to more effective and efficient work and academic performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have co-existing conditions, particularly mood disorders like anxiety and depression. It is important that any co-existing conditions be addressed prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types and dosages of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a person with ADHD might also be suffering from hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms, but does not alter the patient's hypertension that is controlled requires knowledge of how different medications affect individuals over time and an understanding of the interactions between various medications.
It's important that you find a therapist who has had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you are comfortable. It's also important to schedule your first few sessions during times when you won't be distracted by family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD face many challenges in their lives, including difficulties in their relationships and at work. They may also feel anger, blame and frustration that have accumulated in their lives due to their symptoms. A variety of psychosocial treatments have been proven to help their families and patients learn new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating.
Psychotherapy can include cognitive behavior therapy, a type of psychotherapy that assists individuals change their thinking and behavior. It includes goal-setting, skills training and practice, and teaching strategies to improve self-esteem and organization. This can be done individually or in a group setting. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms in adults suffering from ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson, et al., 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also require counseling to deal with specific life challenges. This could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulty dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help teach strategies to manage these situations, improve communication and improve problem-solving skills. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, particularly in marriages or 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 improve their skills to manage conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child who has ADHD. It can help parents understand the disorder and develop parenting methods that encourage positive results in their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD must discuss their medication regularly with their doctor and 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 thorough evaluation and diagnosis is made, it is essential that the patient be monitored to ensure that they are receiving the benefits of the medication and not experiencing any adverse side effects. It is recommended to see patients for initial medical monitoring within 30 days of starting treatment and every month following that. This allows for the proper adjustment of psychostimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines to a safe, effective dose. This allows accurate registration of the patients' response and prevents the patient from being a the patient with a sensitive response on doses that are not sufficient.
For adults who are unable to respond adequately to stimulant medication or experience uncontrollable side effects the use of nonstimulant medication may be indicated. This usually involves the use atomoxetine or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD often have comorbid disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. Moreover, they may have persistent sleep disturbances or medical problems such as hearing and vision disorders. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD it is crucial to screen for these conditions and then evaluate the severity of them. These conditions can have a significant impact on functional impairments in adults.
Marital therapy can be helpful in the management of ADHD. Many spouses report that they feel overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses who have ADHD and may become resentful and angry in the process. The way to reduce resentment is by increasing the patient's understanding of his/her condition, and assisting them understand that the symptoms aren't due to a lack in love or willfulness. treat adult adhd who undergo this type of therapy are more likely to be more functional as a family.
Behavioral Therapy
For adults with ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include a cognitive-behavioral component. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their organizational skills and focus, as well as control impulsive behavior. It teaches patients to manage their home, work and social interactions in more productive ways. Psychotherapy also helps patients understand how their disorder impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help alleviate the self-doubt and shame that are often experienced by adults with ADHD who are viewed as inept or unintelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by a variety of psychiatric disorders. 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 related to them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been shown that when a combination of medication and psychotherapy is used the results are superior than treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to measure and track functional improvements such as improved functioning at school, workplace and interpersonal relationships.