Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults suffering from adhd are treated with medication, therapy and support from the family. Clinical trials are available to test new treatments for ADHD.
Stimulant medication is the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD. They must be monitored regularly. This includes monthly clinical appointments and frequent examinations of symptoms.
Medicines
Numerous medications can be used to treat symptoms of ADHD among adults. They are known as psychostimulants and they affect the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will select the right medication for you and will decide on the most appropriate dosage and timetable. It could take some time to find the right medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.
The first medication that doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. These drugs increase the amount of dopamine found in your brain, and also norepinephrine which helps you to control your impulses and focus. They are available in short-, intermediate-- and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last for up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours. Long-acting drugs can last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely cause adverse effects than intermediate or shorter-acting medications. However, they can cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant medications, like Atomoxetine (Strattera), can be used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause unpleasant side consequences. These medicines do not affect the levels of norepinephrine or dopamine however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain and increase your ability to concentrate. These capsules are taken once or two times a day.
Some people with ADHD suffer from co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. These are called comorbid conditions and they can impact how you react to treatment for ADHD. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbid issues. For instance, those who have an addiction history to drugs or disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until a person has quit using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interaction process of talking and discussing issues that could be troubling or troubling to someone. The therapist listens and offers advice based on his or her training, education as well as experience, professional credentials and therapeutic philosophies. Psychotherapy can be short-term, (a few weeks or even months), addressing more immediate issues, or longer-term. The duration and frequency of therapy are determined by the therapist and patient together.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication together is an extremely effective treatment for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help individuals improve their time management, organizational skills, and prioritizing. It can also teach methods to manage emotions like anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms, improve concentration and improve academic and work performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely of co-existing illnesses. This is especially applicable to mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing conditions. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different types and doses of medication than the ones used to treat ADHD.
A person suffering from ADHD may also suffer from hypertension. Selecting a medication that addresses the ADHD symptoms but doesn't alter the patient's hypertension that is controlled requires knowledge of how various medications affect individuals over time and an understanding of the interactions between different medications.
It's important to find an professional with whom you share a a good relationship, and who is experienced in treating adults with ADHD. It is important to schedule your initial sessions at a time that you aren't distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD typically face a variety of issues in their lives, including work and relationship problems. They also may experience anger, blame, and frustration that have built up in their lives because of their symptoms. Several psychosocial treatments have been proven to aid them and their families develop new attitudes, skills and ways of relating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that helps people change their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, and methods of teaching to improve organization and self-esteem. It can be carried out in individual or group sessions. Metacognitive therapy has proven to significantly reduce symptoms among adults suffering from ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson, et al. 2002).
Certain people with ADHD may also require counseling to help them overcome specific life challenges. These issues could include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behavior, and difficulties in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help you develop the techniques to manage these situations and improve what happens if adhd is left untreated in adults the ability to communicate and solve problems. It can also help improve relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These therapies can assist families in coping and improve their skills to manage conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child who has ADHD. It can aid parents understand the condition and develop parenting methods that encourage positive outcomes in their children.
Adults with ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their doctors and disclose any other medications, including over the drug products. Certain medications can cause side effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough assessment and diagnosis, it is important to monitor the patient's condition to ensure that he/she receives the benefits of the medication and doesn't experience any adverse side negative effects. It is recommended that a patient be referred for initial clinical monitoring within 30 days of starting treatment, and every month thereafter. This allows for a thorough adjustment of psychostimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamines to a well-tolerated and effective dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response. It also helps to avoid having sensitive patients remain on insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses onto unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
For adults who are not responding well to stimulant medication or experience uncontrollable side effects the use of non-stimulant drugs may be indicated. Most often, this is the use of atomoxetine, or other related methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults who suffer from ADHD typically suffer from comorbid disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. They might also be suffering from medical problems like hearing and vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD it is crucial to screen for these conditions and then evaluate their severity. These conditions can have a significant impact on functional impairments for adults.
Marital therapy is also useful in the treatment of ADHD. Spouses report feeling overburdened with the caretaking duties of their spouses suffering from ADHD and can become angry or resentful due to this. The way to reduce resentment is by increasing the patient's understanding of his/her illness, and helping them to realize that the symptoms aren't caused by a lack in willfulness or love. Couples who undergo this type of therapy typically experience better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD is usually suggested. It should include a cognitive and behavioral component. Behavioral therapy helps patients learn to improve their abilities to manage their time and focus, as well as control impulsive behavior. It helps patients learn to manage their work, social and home life more efficiently. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their disorder impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help alleviate the shame and low self-esteem that is commonly seen in people with ADHD, who may be considered lazy or less intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders can be akin to ADHD symptoms. For instance anxiety disorders are seen at a higher rate in adults ADHD patients and depression is seen in greater numbers among those suffering from the disorder. If needed, the presence of other psychiatric disorders should be assessed to determine if ADHD symptoms are a result of them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been demonstrated that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is employed, the results are better than the results of either treatment alone. Future controlled studies will aim to measure and assess improvements in functional performance, for example, improved functioning in school or at work, as well as interpersonal relationships.