Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults suffering from adhd are treated by medication, therapy, and family support. Individuals can also take part in clinical trials to test new ways of treating ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are the most likely to benefit from stimulant medication. However, they must be constantly monitored. This includes regular appointments with a physician and regular review of symptoms.
Medicines
There are many drugs that can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are called psychostimulants and they alter the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that pass messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will choose the most appropriate medication for your needs and will determine the most effective dosage and schedule. It could take some time to find the right dosage and medication to control your symptoms.
The first medication doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. These medications increase the amount of dopamine found in your brain and norepinephrine, which allows you to manage your thoughts and improve your focus. They are available in short-, intermediate-- and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants can last for up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours. Long-acting stimulants last from 8 to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely cause side effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medications. However, they can cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera), are used to treat adults with ADHD if stimulants do not perform or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medications don't affect your norepinephrine or dopamine however, they can increase the amount of norepinephrine and improve your ability to concentrate. These medicines come in capsules and can be taken either twice or three times each day.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD may also suffer from other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression. These are referred to as comorbid conditions and they can impact how you react to treatment for ADHD. It's important to treat any comorbid conditions before starting treatment for ADHD. For instance, people who have an addiction history to drugs or disorder may be more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before using stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves discussing and discussing issues that cause distress or anxiety to a person. The therapist provides guidance on the basis of his or her training, experience, credentials and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues or longer-term (months or years) where a person is working on more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of treatment is decided by the therapist and patient together.
The use of psychotherapy and medications together is a highly effective treatment for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can assist people improve their time management, organizational skills, and prioritizing. It can also teach strategies to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms, increase concentration and improve work and academic performance.
Adults with ADHD have a higher risk of co-existing conditions. This is especially true for mood disorders like anxiety and depression. It is crucial that any co-existing conditions be addressed prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different forms and dosages of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a person who suffers from ADHD could also be suffering from hypertension. To select a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without destabilizing the hypertension of the patient it is essential to understand how various medications affect individuals over time and the interactions between the medications.
It is essential to find a professional with whom you share a a good relationship, and who is experienced in treating adults with ADHD. It's important to schedule your first few sessions at times when you won't be distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD have many difficulties in their lives, such as issues at work and in relationships. A person with ADHD may also experience frustration, anger and guilt that has developed over time. Psychosocial treatments can aid patients and their families develop new abilities, attitudes and ways of relating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type psychotherapy that helps people change their habits and thoughts. It involves setting goals, training and the practice of skills, and teaching strategies for improving self-esteem and organizational skills. It can be conducted in groups or individually. A few studies have proven that the use of metacognitive therapy can reduce symptoms and improve functioning for adults suffering from ADHD (Stevenson et al, 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also need counseling to address specific challenges. These challenges may include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, and difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can teach strategies to help manage these situations and improve the ability to communicate and solve problems. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, especially in long-term marriages or other relationships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These therapies can assist families in coping and develop skills to lessen conflict and improve communication when dealing with children who have ADHD. It can aid parents understand the disorder and develop parenting methods that encourage positive results in their children.
Adults with ADHD should discuss their medications regularly with their physicians and disclose any other medications, including over the drug products. Certain medications can cause adverse reactions or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination 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 suffer from side effects. It is recommended that patients be examined for a first clinical examination within 30 days of initiating treatment and then every month following that. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this enables thorough titration to an effective dose that is well-tolerated. This permits accurate recording of the patient's response and helps to avoid having sensitive patients remain on doses that are not sufficient (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses onto unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
treatment adult adhd who are not responding well to stimulant medications or have adverse effects that are unpalatable might benefit from non-stimulant drugs. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine, or other related alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults with ADHD are usually affected by comorbid disorders like depression or substance abuse. In addition, they may experience persistent sleep disturbances or medical problems such as hearing and vision disorders. It is important to screen and analyze these conditions in the initial assessment for ADHD since these can have significant impact on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be treated through marital therapy. Spouses report feeling overburdened with the caretaking duties of their spouses with ADHD and may be angry or resentful due to this. Increasing the patient's awareness of the symptoms of his/her condition and helping to understand that these aren't impulsive actions or a lack of affection can reduce resentment and marital difficulties. Couples who undergo this kind of therapy tend to have better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD is usually advised. It should include a cognitive and behavioral component. Behavioral therapy can help patients improve their organizational skills, focus and manage impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their work, social and home life more efficiently. Psychotherapy also helps patients understand how their disorder affects various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help alleviate the self-doubt and shame that is often seen in people with ADHD who are considered lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders can mimic ADHD symptoms. For instance anxiety disorders are found at a higher rate in adults ADHD patients, and depression is found in greater numbers among those suffering from the disorder. The presence of other mental health problems should be assessed according to the need, to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are connected to them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that a combination of psychotherapy and medication can produce better results than either therapy by itself. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to measure and track the effects of functional improvements, such as better performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.