Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults suffering from adhd are treated through medication, therapy and support from family members. Patients can also take part in clinical trials that test new approaches to treating ADHD.
Stimulant medications are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. But they need to be constantly monitored. This includes regular clinical appointments as well as frequent reviews of side effects and symptoms.
Medicines
There are many drugs that can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are referred to as psychostimulants. They function by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will select the most appropriate medication for your needs, and determine the best dosage and schedule. It could take a while to determine the appropriate dosage and medication to control your symptoms.
Stimulants are often the first medication doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD. These medications increase the amount of dopamine that is present in your brain, and also norepinephrine which helps you to control your impulses and keep your focus. These medicines are available in short-, medium-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants can last for up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours. Long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have less negative effects than shorterand intermediate-acting medications, but they still can cause an increase in appetite and sleepiness.
Nonstimulant medications, like atomoxetine (Strattera), can be used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause unpleasant adverse effects. These medications do not alter your dopamine or norepinephrine levels, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine, which improves your concentration. These medications are in capsule form and are taken once or twice a day.
Some adults with ADHD also have other psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. These are known as comorbid disorders and they can impact how you react to treatment for ADHD. It is essential to treat any comorbidities prior to starting treatment for ADHD. For instance, people who have an history of using substances disorder are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until a person has quit using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process that involves talking and discussing topics that cause distress or anxiety for a person. The therapist gives advice in accordance with their training, experience, credentials and the philosophy of therapy. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with more immediate challenges or more long-term (months or years) in which a patient is working to address more complicated and longstanding issues. The therapist and patient decide on the length and frequency of treatment.
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. treatment of add in adults can also teach strategies to manage emotions like anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms, increase focus and lead to better academic and work performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a higher likelihood of having co-existing disorders. This is especially relevant for mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Before beginning treatment for ADHD, it is important to treat any co-existing disorders. The treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types of medications and dosages than the ones that are used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a person who suffers from ADHD could also be suffering from hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms but does not alter the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires understanding how different medications affect people over time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between various medications.
It's crucial to locate a therapist who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD and with whom you are at ease. It's important to schedule your initial sessions at times when you aren't distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD face a variety of challenges in their lives, such as problems at work and in relationships. People with ADHD can also experience anger, frustration and blame that have developed over time. Psychosocial therapies can aid patients and their families to develop new skills, attitudes, and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy can also include cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy that assists individuals change their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, and methods of teaching to improve self-esteem and organization. This can be accomplished individually or in a group setting. Certain studies have demonstrated 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 therapy to help them overcome certain life issues. These challenges may include family conflicts, aggressive or impulsive behaviors, or difficulty in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help you develop the techniques to manage these situations and improve the ability to communicate and solve problems. It can also improve relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Family therapy and supportive groups therapy are also types of psychotherapy that could be used to treat ADHD. These can assist families to cope with the anxiety of having a child with ADHD, as well as teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can also help parents learn about the disorder and develop parenting styles that promote positive outcomes for their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their physicians and disclose any other medications, including over-the counter drugs. Certain medications may interact with specific medications or cause adverse effects that are exacerbated by other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis is made, it is important that the patient be monitored to ensure that they are receiving the benefits of medication and not experiencing side effects. It is recommended to see a patient for the initial clinical assessment within 30 days after starting treatment, and then every month thereafter. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines, methylphenidate) this allows for thorough titration to an effective dose that is well-tolerated. This allows accurate registration of the patient's reaction and prevents the patient from being a sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medications or have side effects that are intolerable might benefit from non-stimulant drugs. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine or other related methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are frequently affected by comorbid disorders, like depression or substance abuse. Additionally, they may suffer from chronic sleep disturbances or medical issues like vision and hearing disorders. As part of the initial evaluation for ADHD, it is important to screen for these conditions and then evaluate them. These conditions could have a significant impact on functional impairments in adults.
ADHD can also be controlled through marital therapy. Couples complain of being overwhelmed by the caretaking duties of their spouses with ADHD and can be angry or resentful due to this. Reduced resentment can be achieved by enhancing the understanding of the illness, and helping them to understand that the symptoms are not caused by a lack in love or willfulness. Couples who go through this type of therapy usually experience improved family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is usually advised. It should include a cognitive and behavioral component. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their organizational skills, focus and control the impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their work, social and home environments more efficiently. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition affects different aspects of their lives and relationships. This can reduce the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are commonly seen in people with ADHD. They could be viewed by others as being lazy or unintelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders can mimic ADHD symptoms. For example, anxiety disorders occur at high rates in adult ADHD patients and depression is observed at increased levels in those suffering from the disorder. The presence of any other psychiatric problems should be evaluated, as appropriate, to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are connected to them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is usually recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been demonstrated that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is used, the results are better than the results of either treatment alone. Future controlled medication studies should aim to measure and track the improvement in functional aspects such as improved performance at work, school and interpersonal relationships.