Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment of adhd in adults focuses on medication, therapy and family support. Patients can also take part in clinical trials that test new approaches to treating ADHD.
The stimulant medications are the most effective drugs for adults with ADHD. But they need to be closely monitored. That includes monthly clinical appointments as well as frequent reviews of side effects and symptoms.
Medicines
There are many medications that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are known as psychostimulants. They function by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will choose a medication that's right for you and will determine the most effective dose and time to take it. It may take a while to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that is able to control your symptoms.
Stimulants are often the first medication doctors prescribe for adults suffering from ADHD. These medications increase the amount of dopamine in your brain and norepinephrine, which helps you to control your impulses and keep your focus. They are available in short-, intermediate-and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants last about 6 hours, intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours, while long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause negative effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting medications, but they can still cause an increase in appetite and sleepiness.
Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants don't perform or cause unwanted side effects. These medicines do not affect your dopamine or norepinephrine levels however, they can increase the amount of norepinephrine, which improves your focus. These medicines come in capsules and are taken twice or once every day.
Some adults with ADHD also have other psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression. treatment for add are known as comorbidities, and they can affect how you respond to ADHD treatment. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbidities. For instance, people who have an history of using substances disorder are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before using stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves discussing and discussing issues that cause distress or anxiety to a person. The therapist listens and provides guidance based on his or her education, training and experience as well as professional qualifications and therapeutic philosophies. Psychotherapy could be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with issues that are more immediate or longer-term (months or years) in which a person is working on more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of the 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 assist people improve their time management, organizational skills, and prioritizing. It can also teach methods to manage emotions such as anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms and increase focus, which leads to more effective and efficient academic and work.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to have co-existing issues, especially mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing disorders. The treatment of co-existing disorders might require different kinds of medications and dosages compared to those used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a patient who suffers from ADHD might also be suffering from hypertension. To choose a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing instability to the hypertension of the patient it is crucial to know how different medications affect individuals in the course of time, as well as the interactions between the medications.
It's crucial to find a therapist who has had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you feel comfortable. It's also important to arrange your first few sessions during times when you won't be distracted by family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD have many difficulties in their lives, such as issues at work and with relationships. The person who has ADHD might be prone to anger, frustration and guilt that has developed over time. A variety of psychosocial treatments have been proven effective in helping their families and patients learn new behaviors, skills, and ways of communicating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type psychotherapy that assists people in changing their behavior and thinking. It includes goal-setting, skill training and practice, and methods of teaching to improve organization and self-esteem. It may be done in individual or group sessions. Certain studies have demonstrated that the use of metacognitive therapy can reduce symptoms and improve functioning in adults with ADHD (Stevenson et al, 2002).
Some people with ADHD may also require therapy to help them overcome certain issues in their lives. These could include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behavior, or difficulty dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help teach strategies to manage these situations, improve communication, and increase problem-solving capabilities. It can also help improve interpersonal relationships, especially in marriages or other long-term relationships.
Family therapy and supportive groups therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that can be used to treat ADHD. These can assist families to cope with the stress of having a child who has ADHD and develop skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can assist parents understand the condition, and develop parenting techniques that encourage positive outcomes in their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their doctors and also disclose any other medications, including over-the drug products. Certain medications may interact with certain medications or trigger adverse effects that are exacerbated by other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis is made, it is crucial that the patient is monitored to ensure that he or she is receiving the benefits of the medication and not experiencing any adverse side effects. It is recommended to visit a patient for the initial clinical assessment within 30 days of starting treatment, and then every month after that. This permits the proper titration of psychostimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate to a well-tolerated and effective dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response and helps to avoid keeping a patients who are sensitive to doses that are too low.
For adults who do not respond well to stimulant medication or suffer from uncontrollable side effects, the use of nonstimulant medication might be suggested. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults with ADHD often have comorbid disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. They may also have medical issues like hearing and vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial evaluation for ADHD it is crucial to identify such conditions and evaluate them. These conditions could have a significant impact on functional impairments in adults.
Marital therapy is also useful in the management of ADHD. Spouses often report that they are overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses who have ADHD and can become resentful and angry in the process. Increasing the patient's awareness of the symptoms of his/her condition and helping to understand that these aren't impulsive actions or a lack of affection can reduce resentment and marital difficulties. Couples who undergo this type of therapy generally experience a better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is typically suggested. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy assists patients in improving their organization skills, focus, and control impulsive behaviors. It helps patients manage their work, social, and home situations more efficiently. Psychotherapy also helps patients understand how their condition impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This helps reduce the stigma and feelings of shame that are often seen among people suffering from ADHD. They may be perceived by others as lazy or unintelligent.
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 any other psychiatric problems should be assessed, as appropriate, to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are related to them.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated with the combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been proven that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is used the results are superior than treatment on its own. Future controlled studies will aim to measure and assess improvements in functional performance, for example, improvement in school performance as well as in the workplace and interpersonal relations.