Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adults with adhd is based on therapy, medication and family support. treat adhd are available to test the effectiveness of new treatments for ADHD.
Stimulant medications are the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD. However, they must be constantly monitored. This includes monthly clinical appointments and regular review of symptoms.
Medicines
There are many drugs that can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications are called psychostimulants. They function by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate medication for your needs and will decide on the most appropriate dosage and schedule. It could take a while to find the right dosage and medication that control your symptoms.
Stimulants are often the first prescribed medication by doctors for adults suffering from ADHD. They increase the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which improve your ability to focus and control impulses. These medications are available in short-, medium-- and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants can last for 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours. Long-acting stimulants last from 8 to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause adverse effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting medicines, but they still cause insomnia and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine, (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD in cases where stimulants don't work or cause undesirable adverse effects. These medications do not alter the levels of dopamine or norepinephrine however, they can increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine, which improves your focus. These capsules are consumed once or twice a day.
Some adults with ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, like anxiety and depression. These disorders are referred to as comorbidities, and they can affect how you respond to ADHD treatment. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbidities. For instance, people who have a history of substance use disorder may be more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It is recommended to wait until someone has quit using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interaction process of talking and discussing things that can be troubling or troubling to a person. The therapist gives advice based upon his or her training, experience, credentials and the therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or even months) or addressing more immediate issues, or more long-term. The patient and therapist determine the duration and frequency of therapy.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication is a highly effective way to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy helps people improve their abilities to organize their lives, manage their time and prioritizing; it can also teach techniques for managing emotions such as anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms and increase concentration, which results in more efficient and successful academic and work.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely of co-existing illnesses. This is especially true for mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Before starting treatment for ADHD, it is important to treat any co-existing disorders. The treatment of co-existing conditions could require different types of medications and dosages than the ones used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a patient 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 which is being controlled requires understanding how different medications affect individuals over time and an understanding of the interactions between different medications.
It is important to choose an therapist with whom you have good relations, and who is experienced in treating adults suffering from ADHD. It is important to schedule your first few sessions at a time that you aren't distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD have many difficulties in their lives, such as problems at work and with relationships. They also may experience frustration, blame and anger that have developed in their lives because of their symptoms. Psychosocial treatments can aid patients and their families to develop new skills, attitudes and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy can also include cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals change their thinking and behavior. It includes goal-setting, skills training and practice, and methods of teaching to improve self-esteem and organization. It can be conducted in groups or individually. A few studies have proven that treatment for metacognitive disorders can reduce symptoms and improve functioning for adults suffering from ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors, 2002).
Some people with ADHD may also require counseling to help them overcome particular issues in their lives. These may include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulties dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can teach the skills to manage these situations, improve communication, and increase problem-solving capabilities. It can also enhance relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These can help families deal with the anxiety of having a child with ADHD, as well as teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can assist parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting methods that encourage positive results in their children.
It is essential for adults with ADHD to discuss their medication with their health care providers regularly, and to reveal all other medications they are taking, including any over-the-counter medications. Some medications can cause side effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis is made it is important that the patient is monitored to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of medication and not experiencing side effects. It is recommended to see a patient for the initial clinical monitoring within 30days after starting treatment and then every month thereafter. This permits a thorough titration of psychostimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate to a safe, effective dose. This permits accurate recording of the patient's response and helps to avoid keeping a the patient with a sensitive response on doses that are not sufficient.
Adults who are not responding well to stimulant medications or have side effects that are intolerable could benefit from non-stimulant medications. Most often, this is the use of atomoxetine, or other related alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring disorders like mood disorder or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. They might also be suffering from medical problems like hearing and vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. It is essential to identify and analyze these conditions in the initial assessment for ADHD since these can have significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. spouses feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses who suffer from ADHD and may become angry or resentful as a consequence. Reduced resentment can be achieved by enhancing the understanding of his/her illness, and helping them understand that the symptoms are not caused by an absence of love or willfulness. Couples who undergo this type of therapy are more likely to be more functional as a family.
Behavioral Therapy
For people who suffer from ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate a cognitive-behavioral component. Behavioral therapy helps patients learn to improve their ability to organize their lives and focus and control their an impulsive behaviour. It helps patients learn to manage their work, social and home life more efficiently. Psychotherapy also helps patients understand how their disorder affects different areas of their lives and relationships. This can help reduce the self-doubt and shame that are often experienced by adults with ADHD, who may be considered lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by a variety of psychiatric disorders. For example anxiety disorders are seen at high rates in adult ADHD patients and depression is seen at increased levels in people suffering from the disorder. The presence of other psychiatric issues should be analyzed, as appropriate, to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are connected to them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is usually recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been established that a combination of psychotherapy and medication can produce better results than either therapy alone. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to track and measure the effects of functional improvements, such as better performance at work, school and interpersonal relationships.