Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults with adhd are treated with therapy, medication, and family support. People can also participate in clinical trials to try new approaches to treating ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to benefit from stimulant medication. However, they must be closely monitored. This includes monthly clinical appointments and regular review of symptoms.
Medicines
There are many medications that can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications are called psychostimulants, and they work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will choose the right medication for you, and determine the best dosage and schedule. It could take some time to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.
Stimulants are typically the first prescribed medication by doctors for adults suffering from ADHD. These medications increase the amount of dopamine that is present in your brain, and also norepinephrine which helps you to control your thoughts and keep your focus. These medicines are available in short-, mediumand long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last for about 6 hours, intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours, and long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer negative effects than shorterand intermediate-acting drugs, however they can still cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine (Strattera) can be used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause unpleasant adverse effects. These medications do not alter your norepinephrine or dopamine however they do increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine, which improves your concentration. These capsules are taken once or twice a day.
Many people with ADHD may also suffer from other psychiatric disorders, like depression and anxiety. These disorders are referred to as comorbidities, and they can affect your response to ADHD treatment. It's important to treat any comorbidities prior to starting treatment for ADHD. Patients with a history of substance abuse disorders are more likely to use psychostimulants. It is best to wait until a person has quit using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a method of therapy that involves discussing and talking about topics that cause distress or anxiety to the person. The therapist listens to the person and provides guidance based on his or her education, training as well as experience, professional credentials and therapeutic philosophies. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or even months) and can address more immediate issues, or long-term. The duration and frequency of treatment is determined by the patient and therapist together.
The use of psychotherapy and medications together is a highly effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help individuals improve their time management, organizational skills and prioritizing. treatments for adult add can also teach techniques to manage emotions like anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms and improve concentration, which results in more efficient and successful academic and work performance.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to have co-existing disorders, including mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. It is important that any co-existing disorders be treated before beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different types and dosages of medication than those used to treat ADHD.
A person who suffers from ADHD can also have hypertension. To choose a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing instability to the hypertension of the patient it is essential to understand how different medications affect people in the course of time, as well as the interactions between medications.
It's important that you choose a therapist with had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you feel comfortable. It is also crucial to schedule your initial sessions in a time when you're not distracted by family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD face a variety of challenges in their lives, including problems at work and in relationships. They also may experience anger, blame, and frustration that have accumulated in their lives due to their symptoms. Psychosocial therapies can aid patients and their families develop new abilities, attitudes, and ways of relating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type psychotherapy that helps people change their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, and teaching strategies for improving self-esteem and organizational skills. It can be carried out in individual or group sessions. Some studies have shown that treatment for metacognitive disorders can reduce symptoms and improve performance for adults suffering from ADHD (Stevenson et al 2002).
Certain people with ADHD may also require therapy to help them overcome particular life issues. These difficulties could include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, or difficulty in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can teach techniques to manage these situations and improve the ability to communicate and solve problems. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Other forms of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy and supportive group therapy. These can assist families to cope with the anxiety of having a child suffering from ADHD, as well as develop skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can also help parents recognize the symptoms and develop parenting techniques that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
It is important for people with ADHD to discuss their medication with their healthcare providers regularly, and to inform them of all other medications they're taking, including prescription drugs. Certain medications may interact with certain medications or cause adverse reactions that are made worse by other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis is made, it is crucial that the patient be monitored to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of the medication and not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended to see a patient for the initial medical monitoring within 30 days of starting treatment and then every month thereafter. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines, methylphenidate) this enables the gradual titration of an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This allows for a precise registration of the patient's reaction and assists in avoiding keeping sensitive patients taking insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses on unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
Adults who are not responding well to stimulant medications or who have side effects that are intolerable could benefit from non-stimulant medications. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine, or other related alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have comorbid disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. They may also have medical issues like hearing and vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. It is crucial to identify and assess these conditions as part of the initial assessment for ADHD since these can have significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be controlled through marital therapy. spouses feel overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses who suffer from ADHD, and can be angry or resentful in response. Making the patient aware of the signs of their condition and helping them realize that these are not willful acts or a lack of love can help reduce marital tensions and resentment. Couples who go through this type of therapy typically experience better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For people who suffer from ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include an element of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy helps patients improve their organizational skills, focus and control their impulsive behaviors. It helps patients learn to manage their social, work and home environments more efficiently. Psychotherapy assists patients in understanding how their disorder impacts different areas of their life and relationships. This can reduce the stigma and feelings of shame that are often felt by people with ADHD. They could be viewed by others as being lazy or inexperienced.
ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by a variety of mental disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from anxiety disorders and depression. The presence of other psychiatric issues should be analyzed, as appropriate, to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are linked to them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with an amalgamation of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been established that a combination of psychotherapy and medication yields better results than either therapy by itself. Future controlled studies will aim to track and evaluate improvements in functional performance, for example, improved functioning in school or at work, as well as interpersonal relations.