Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults who suffer from adhd are treated through therapy, medication and support from family members. Patients can also take part in clinical trials to try new approaches to treating ADHD.
Adults with ADHD are most likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. But they need to be monitored regularly. That includes monthly clinical appointments and regular reviews of side effects and symptoms.
Medicines
Many medications can be used to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are called psychostimulants and they alter the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will determine the right medication for you and will decide on the most appropriate dosage and timetable. It may take a while to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that is able to control your symptoms.
Stimulants are usually the first prescription medication doctors recommend for adults suffering from ADHD. These medications increase the amount of dopamine found in your brain and norepinephrine, which helps you to control your impulses and focus. They are available in short-, intermediate-and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants last for 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours. Long-acting drugs can last up to 16. Long-acting stimulants are less likely cause adverse effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medications. However, they may induce sleepiness and a change in appetite.
Nonstimulant medicines, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unpleasant adverse side effects. These medications don't alter the levels of norepinephrine or dopamine however they increase the amount of norepinephrine that's available to your brain, and improve your ability to focus. These medications are available in capsule form and are taken once or twice a day.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD may also suffer from other psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression. These conditions are referred to as comorbidities and can influence how you respond to ADHD treatment. It's important to treat any comorbid disorders prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. People who have a history of substance abuse disorders are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. This is why it's often advisable to wait until a person has stopped using substances before considering treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process of discussing and talking about issues that may be disturbing or troubling to a person. The therapist listens to the person and provides guidance based on his or his or her training, education and experience, professional credentials and therapeutic philosophical philosophies. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or even months) or addressing more immediate issues, or more long-term. The therapist and the patient determine the duration and frequency of therapy.
The use of psychotherapy and drugs together is an extremely effective treatment for adults with 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 focus, which leads to more effective and efficient academic and work.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing issues, especially mood disorders like anxiety and depression. It is crucial that any co-existing disorders be treated before beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment of co-existing disorders could require different forms and dosages of medication than the ones used to treat ADHD.
For example, a person who suffers from ADHD could also be suffering from hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms, but does not destabilize the patient's hypertension that is controlled requires knowledge of how different medications affect people over time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between medications.
It is important to choose the right therapy provider with whom you have a good relations, and who has experience treating adults with ADHD. treatment of add to schedule your first few sessions at a time when you will not be distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD face a variety of challenges in their lives, such as difficulties at work and in relationships. They may also experience anger, blame and frustration that have built up in their lives because of their symptoms. Psychosocial treatments can aid patients and their families to develop new abilities, attitudes, and ways of relating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that helps people alter their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, training and practice of skills, and strategies for teaching that help improve self-esteem and organization. This can be accomplished individually or in a group. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms in adults with ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson, et al. 2002).
Some people suffering from ADHD may also require therapy to help them overcome specific life issues. This could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can teach skills to help deal with these situations and increase the ability to communicate and solve problems. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, particularly in marriages or other long-term partnerships.
Family therapy and support groups therapy are two other types of psychotherapy that could be used to treat ADHD. These can help families deal with the anxiety of having a child with ADHD, as well as develop skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can help parents understand the condition, and develop parenting techniques that encourage positive outcomes in their children.
It is essential for adults with ADHD to discuss their medications with their health care providers regularly, and to disclose any 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 thorough examination and diagnosis, it is crucial to monitor the patient's progress to ensure that he/she receives the benefits of the medication and doesn't experience any adverse side effects. It is recommended that a patient be referred for an initial medical check-up within 30 days of beginning treatment, and every month following that. This permits the proper titration of psychostimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamines to a well-tolerated and effective dose. This permits accurate recording of the patient's response and helps to avoid having sensitive patients remain taking insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses on unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medications or who have unwanted side effects that are difficult to tolerate might benefit from non-stimulant drugs. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults with ADHD are frequently affected by comorbid disorders, like depression or drug abuse. They may also have medical conditions like hearing or 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 could have a significant impact on functional impairments for adults.
ADHD can also be controlled through marital therapy. Couples often say that they are overwhelmed by the responsibilities to care for their spouses who have ADHD and may become resentful and angry due to this. Reducing resentment can be achieved by enhancing the patient's awareness of their condition, and helping them understand that the symptoms are not the result of a lack in affection or willfulness. Couples who undergo this type of therapy usually experience improved family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For people who suffer from ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include the cognitive-behavioral aspect. Behavioral therapy assists patients in learning to improve their ability to organize their lives and focus and control their impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their home, work and social interactions in more productive ways. Psychotherapy also helps patients understand how their condition affects different areas of their lives and relationships. This can reduce the shame and low-esteem that are often felt by people suffering from ADHD. They may be perceived by others as lazy or less intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders can be akin to ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. If it is necessary the presence of other mental disorders should be assessed to determine if ADHD symptoms are caused by them.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated using the combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been proven that a combination of psychotherapy and medication produces better results than either treatment on its own. Future controlled studies must attempt to measure and track the effects of functional improvements, such as better performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.