Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment of adhd in adults includes therapy, medication and support from family members. Clinical trials are available to test the effectiveness of new treatments for ADHD.
The stimulant medications are the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD. However, they must be monitored regularly. This includes monthly clinical appointments and regular reviews of symptoms.
Medicines
There are many medications that can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are known as psychostimulants and they affect the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that pass messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will determine the appropriate medication for you and will decide on the most appropriate dosage and timetable. It may take some time to find the right dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.
The first medication doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. They increase the amount of dopamine that is present in your brain and norepinephrine, which helps you to control your thoughts and keep your focus. These medications are available in short-, medium-and long-acting varieties. 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 shorterand intermediate-acting medications, but they still cause insomnia and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant medications, like Atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unwanted adverse negative effects. These medicines do not affect your dopamine or norepinephrine however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain, and improve your ability to focus. These capsules are taken once or twice daily.
Some people with ADHD have co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety or depression. These conditions are referred to as comorbidities and can affect how you respond to ADHD treatment. It is essential to treat any comorbid disorders prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. People with a history substance abuse disorder are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It is recommended to wait until someone has quit using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a method of therapy that involves talking and discussing topics that cause anxiety or are disturbing for a person. The therapist offers guidance in accordance with their training, experience, credentials and the therapeutic philosophy. treatment for add may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues, or long-term (months or years) in which a patient is working to address more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of treatment are determined by the therapist and the patient together.
Psychotherapy and medication are an extremely effective method to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their time management, organizational skills and prioritizing. It can also teach techniques to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and increase concentration, which results in more efficient and successful work and academic performance.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing conditions, particularly mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Before starting treatment for ADHD, it is important to treat any co-existing conditions. The treatment of co-existing conditions could require different types of medication and doses than the medications that are used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a person who suffers from ADHD could also be suffering from hypertension. To select a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing destabilization of the patient's hypertension, it is important to understand how different medications affect individuals over time and the interactions between the medications.
It is essential to choose a therapist with experience treating adults with ADHD and with whom you are at ease. It is crucial to schedule your initial sessions at a time when you won't be distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD face many challenges in their lives, including difficulties at work and in relationships. They may also feel anger, blame and frustration that have accumulated in their lives because of their symptoms. Numerous psychosocial therapies have been proven to help them and their families develop new attitudes, skills and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy can include cognitive behavior therapy, a form of psychotherapy that assists individuals modify their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, and strategies for teaching that help improve self-esteem and organization. It can be carried out in individual or group sessions. Some studies have shown that the use of metacognitive therapy can reduce symptoms and improve performance for adults suffering from ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also need counseling to address specific life challenges. These could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help develop techniques to manage these situations and improve communication and problem-solving abilities. It can also enhance relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Other forms of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy as well as supportive group therapy. These therapies can assist families in coping and develop skills to lessen conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child who has ADHD. It can assist parents understand the disorder, and develop parenting techniques that encourage positive results in their children.
It is crucial for people with ADHD to discuss their medications with their healthcare providers regularly, and to inform them of all other medications they're taking, including over-the-counter drugs. Some medications can cause adverse effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis is established, it is essential that the patient be monitored to ensure that they are receiving the benefits of medication and not experiencing any adverse side effects. It is recommended to consult the patient for the initial clinical assessment within 30 days of starting treatment, and then every month following that. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this enables the gradual titration of an effective and well-tolerated dose. This allows for a precise registration of the patient's response. It also assists in avoiding keeping sensitive patients on doses that are not sufficient (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses on excessively high levels (rapid metabolizers).
Adults who aren't responding well to stimulant medications or who have side effects that are intolerable might benefit from non-stimulant drugs. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine or other related methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults with ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring disorders such as mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. They may also suffer from medical problems like hearing and vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD it is essential to screen for these conditions and then evaluate them. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments in adults.
ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. spouses feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses with ADHD and may become angry or resentful in response. Increasing the patient's awareness of the symptoms of his/her condition and helping them realize that these aren't impulsive acts or a lack of love can reduce marital conflict and resentment. Couples who go through this type of therapy usually experience improved family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For those who suffer from ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate the cognitive-behavioral aspect. Behavioral therapy helps patients learn to improve their organizational skills, focus and control an impulsive behaviour. It teaches patients to manage their work, home, and social situations in more productive ways. Psychotherapy helps patients to understand how their condition affects different aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help decrease the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that is often seen in adults with ADHD who are considered lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by a variety of psychiatric disorders. For example anxiety disorders are found at a higher rate in adult ADHD patients, and depression is found at increased levels in adults with the disorder. If it is necessary, the presence of other psychiatric disorders should be analyzed to determine whether ADHD symptoms are a result of them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is usually recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been shown that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is used results are more favorable than either treatment alone. Future controlled studies must attempt to measure and track functional improvements such as improved performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.