Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment of adhd in adults focuses on medication, therapy and support from family members. Clinical trials are being conducted to test new treatments for ADHD.
The stimulant medications are the most effective medications for adults with ADHD. However, they must be closely monitored. This means monthly appointments with a doctor and frequent reviews of symptoms.
Medicines
Many medications can be used to reduce symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are known as psychostimulants and they work by changing the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) which transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will select the appropriate medication for you, and determine the best dosage and schedule. It could take a while to find the right dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.
Stimulants are usually the first prescribed medication by doctors for adults with ADHD. These medications increase the amount of dopamine in your brain and norepinephrine, which allows you to manage your thoughts and improve your focus. The medications are available in short-, medium- and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants can last up to up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medicines last for 8-10 hours. Long-acting stimulants last from 8 to 16. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause side effects than intermediate or shorter-acting medicines. However, they can still cause sleepiness and change in appetite.
Nonstimulant medications, like atomoxetine (Strattera), can be used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause undesirable adverse effects. These medications don't alter the levels of norepinephrine or dopamine however they increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain, and improve your ability to concentrate. These medications are in capsules and can be taken twice or once every day.
Certain adults who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. These disorders are referred to as comorbidities and may affect your response to ADHD treatment. It's important to treat any comorbid conditions before starting treatment for ADHD. Patients with a history of substance abuse disorders are more likely to use psychostimulants. Because of this, it's often advisable to wait until the person has stopped using substances before considering treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a method of discussing and discussing issues that could be troubling or troubling to someone. The therapist listens to the person and provides guidance based on her education, training, experience, professional credentials and therapeutic philosophies. Psychotherapy could be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues or longer-term (months or years) where a person is working to address more complicated and longstanding issues. The therapist and the patient determine the length and frequency of treatment.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication is a highly effective way to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their time management, organizational skills, and prioritizing. It can also teach strategies to manage emotions like anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms and improve focus, leading to more effective and efficient work and academic performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a higher likelihood of co-existing illnesses. This is especially applicable to mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Before beginning treatment for ADHD, it is important to treat any co-existing disorders. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different forms and dosages of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
A person with ADHD may 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 essential to understand how various medications affect individuals over time and the interactions between the medications.
It's important that you choose a therapist with had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you feel at ease. It's also important to arrange your first few sessions when you're not distracted by family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD often face many problems in their lives, such as relationships and work problems. People with ADHD can be prone to anger, frustration and blame that has developed over time. Psychosocial treatments can help patients and their families to develop new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type psychotherapy that helps people change their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, training and practice of skills, and methods of teaching to improve organization and self-esteem. This can be accomplished individually or in a group setting. A few studies have proven that treatment for metacognitive disorders can reduce symptoms and improve performance for adults suffering from ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD also require counseling to address specific life issues. These difficulties could include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behavior, and difficulties in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can teach the how to handle these situations, improve communication, and increase problem-solving capabilities. It can also help improve interpersonal relationships, especially in marriages or other long-term relationships.
Other forms of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These can help families deal with the anxiety of having a child suffering from ADHD and develop skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can also help parents understand the disorder and develop parenting techniques that promote positive outcomes for their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD must discuss their medication regularly with their doctor and disclose any other medications, such as over-the drug products. treating adhd in adults can cause adverse effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis is made, it is essential that the patient be monitored to ensure that he or she is receiving the benefits of medication and not experiencing side effects. It is recommended to visit patients for initial clinical monitoring within 30days of beginning treatment and every month thereafter. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this enables the gradual titration of an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This permits accurate recording of the patient's reaction and helps to avoid keeping a patients who are sensitive to doses that are too low.
Adults who are not responding well to stimulant medication or suffer from adverse effects that are unpalatable could benefit from non-stimulant medications. This usually involves the use atomoxetine or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults with ADHD are usually affected by comorbid disorders, such as depression or substance abuse. Moreover, they may have chronic sleep disorders or medical issues such as hearing and vision problems. As part of the initial evaluation for ADHD, it is important to screen such conditions and evaluate their severity. These conditions can have a significant impact on functional impairments for adults.
Marital therapy can be helpful in the treatment of ADHD. Many spouses report that they are overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses with ADHD and can become angry and angry due to this. Reducing resentment can be achieved by increasing the patient's understanding of the illness, and helping them to understand that the symptoms aren't the result of an absence of affection or willfulness. Couples who go through this kind of therapy generally experience a better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For those who suffer from ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include the cognitive-behavioral aspect. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their ability to organize their lives, focus and control impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their work, home and social interactions in more productive ways. Psychotherapy assists patients in understanding how their condition affects various aspects of their lives and relationships. This helps reduce the stigma and feelings of shame that are often felt by people with ADHD. They might be perceived by others as lazy or inexperienced.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by a variety of mental disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. If needed the presence of any other psychiatric disorders should be analyzed to determine if ADHD symptoms are caused by them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been established that the combination of psychotherapy and medication yields better results than either treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies will try to measure and assess improvements in functional performance, for example, improvement in school performance as well as in the workplace and interpersonal relations.