Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults who suffer from adhd are treated through therapy, medication and support from the family. Patients can also take part in clinical trials to try new methods of treating ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to benefit from stimulant medications. They require monitoring regularly. This includes monthly clinical appointments and frequent review of symptoms.
Medications
There are many medications that can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are referred to as psychostimulants. They work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will recommend the best medication for you and will decide the best dose and schedule to take it. It may take some time to determine the appropriate 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 found in your brain and norepinephrine which allows you to manage your impulses and keep your focus. These medicines are available in short-, medium- and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants last around 6 hours, intermediate-acting drugs last 8-10 hours, and long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer side effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medications, but they can still cause an increase in appetite and sleepiness.
Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine, (Strattera), are used to treat adults with ADHD if stimulants do not work or cause undesirable side effects. These medications do not alter the levels of dopamine or norepinephrine, but they increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine and improve your focus. The capsules are taken one or two times a day.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. These conditions are referred to as comorbidities, and they can influence how you respond to ADHD treatment. It is important to address any comorbid disorders prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. For instance, those who have an addiction history to drugs or disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It is recommended to wait until a person has quit using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interactive method of discussing and discussing issues that may be disturbing or troubling for a person. The therapist provides guidance based upon his or her education, experience, credentials, and the philosophy of therapy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with issues that are more immediate or more long-term (months or years) in which a patient is attempting to resolve more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of the treatment is decided by the therapist and the patient together.
Psychotherapy and medication together are a highly effective way to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help individuals improve their time management, organizational skills and prioritizing. It can also teach methods to manage emotions such as anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and increase focus, leading to more efficient and successful work and academic performance.
Adults suffering from ADHD have a higher risk of co-existing illnesses. This is particularly relevant for mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. It is crucial that any co-existing disorders be addressed prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. The treatment of co-existing disorders could require different types of medications and dosages compared to the ones that are used to treat ADHD.
A person who suffers from ADHD may also be suffering from hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms but doesn't destabilize the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires knowledge of how various medications affect people over time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between various medications.
It's important to find an professional with whom you share a an excellent relationship and who is experienced in treating adults with ADHD. It is important to schedule your first few sessions at a time when you will not be distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD typically face a variety of life challenges, including work and relationship problems. People with ADHD can be prone to anger, frustration and guilt that has been accumulated over time. Psychosocial therapies can aid patients and their families develop new skills, attitudes, and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy can also include cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy that assists individuals change their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, skill training and practice, and teaching strategies to increase self-esteem and organizational skills. This can be done individually or in a group setting. Metacognitive therapy has proven to significantly reduce symptoms in adults suffering from ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson and colleagues. 2002).
Some people with ADHD may also require therapy to help them overcome specific issues in their lives. These may include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, or difficulty managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can help develop how to handle these situations, improve communication, and improve problem-solving skills. It can also improve relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term partnerships.
Other forms of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy and supportive group therapy. These therapies can help families cope and learn skills to reduce conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child suffering from ADHD. It can assist parents understand the condition, and develop parenting techniques that promote positive outcomes for their children.
It is crucial for people with ADHD to discuss adhd symptoms and treatment their medications with their healthcare providers regularly, and to disclose all other medications they're taking, including any over-the-counter medications. Certain medications may interact with specific medications or cause adverse reactions that are made worse by other medicines.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis is made it is important that the patient is monitored to ensure that he or she is receiving the benefits of medication and not experiencing side effects. It is recommended that a patient be referred for an initial medical check-up within 30 days of initiating treatment, and every month afterward. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines) this allows for thorough titration to an effective and well-tolerated dose. This permits accurate recording of the patient's response and helps to avoid keeping a patients who are sensitive to doses that are too low.
Adults who aren't responding well to stimulant medications or have side effects that are intolerable might benefit from non-stimulant drugs. This is usually the case with atomoxetine or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults with ADHD often have comorbid disorders like mood disorder or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. They may also suffer from medical issues 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 the severity of them. These conditions can have a significant impact on functional impairments in adults.
Marital therapy can also be beneficial in managing ADHD. Couples complain of being overwhelmed by the caretaking duties of their spouses who suffer from ADHD, and can be angry or resentful as a consequence. Reducing resentment can be achieved by increasing the patient's awareness of their illness, and helping them to understand that the symptoms are not caused by an absence of affection or willfulness. Couples who go through this kind of therapy usually experience improved family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For those who suffer from ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include a cognitive-behavioral component. Behavioral therapy helps patients learn to improve their ability to organize their lives, focus and control the impulsive behavior. It teaches patients to manage their home, work, and social situations more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients to understand how their disorder impacts various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help decrease the shame and low self-esteem that is often seen in adults with ADHD who are viewed as lazy or less intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by various psychiatric disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. The presence of any other psychiatric problems should be evaluated according to the need, to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are related to them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated using a combination of pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy. It has been demonstrated that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is employed the results are superior than the results of either treatment alone. Future controlled studies will aim to track and evaluate the effects of functional improvement, like improved functioning in school, the workplace, and interpersonal relations.