Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults who suffer from adhd are treated through therapy, medication and support from family members. Clinical trials are being conducted to test new treatments for ADHD.
Stimulant medication is the most effective medications for adults with ADHD. They must be monitored regularly. This includes regular appointments with a physician and frequent reviews of symptoms.
Medicines
There are many medications that can 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 cell. Your doctor will select the right medication for you and will decide the most effective dose and time to take it. It may take a while to determine the appropriate medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.
Stimulants are often the first prescription medication doctors recommend for adults suffering from ADHD. They increase the amount of dopamine found in your brain and norepinephrine which aids in controlling your thoughts and improve your focus. These medicines are available in short-, medium-and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medicines last between 8 and 10 hours, while long-acting medications last for up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause adverse effects than intermediate- or shorter-acting medicines. However, they may cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine, (Strattera), are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medications don't affect your norepinephrine or dopamine however they do increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine, which improves your focus. These medications are in capsules and can be taken once or twice a day.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD also have other psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression. These are known as comorbid disorders and can affect how you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbid issues. Patients with a history of substance abuse disorders are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process that involves discussing and talking about topics that cause distress or anxiety for a person. The therapist listens to the person and provides guidance based on his or their education, training and experience professional credentials and therapeutic philosophies. Psychotherapy can be short-term, (a few weeks or months) or addressing more immediate issues, or longer-term. The patient and therapist determine the duration and frequency of treatment.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication is an extremely effective way to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy helps people improve their organizational skills, time management and prioritizing. It can also teach methods to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and improve focus, which leads to more efficient and successful academic and work.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be affected by co-existing issues, especially mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is essential to treat any co-existing condition. The treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types of medications and dosages compared to the ones used to treat ADHD.
A person who suffers from ADHD can also have hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms but doesn't destabilize the patient's tentatively controlled hypertension requires knowledge of how different medications affect individuals over time and an understanding of the interactions between medications.
It is essential to find a professional with whom you share a a good relationship, and who has experience in treating adults with ADHD. It's important to schedule your initial sessions at a time when you will not be distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD often face many life challenges, including work and relationship problems. A person with ADHD may also experience anger, frustration and blame that has been accumulated over time. A variety of psychosocial treatments have been proven to aid their families and patients learn new skills, attitudes and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy can also include cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals change their thinking and behavior. It involves setting goals, training and the practice of skills, and teaching strategies for improving self-esteem and organizational skills. This can be accomplished individually or in a group. A few studies have proven that treatment for metacognitive disorders can reduce symptoms and improve performance in adults with ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors 2002).
Some people suffering from ADHD may also require therapy to help them overcome certain life challenges. These could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help develop techniques to manage these situations and improve communication and problem-solving skills. It can also improve relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Family therapy and supportive groups therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that can be utilized to treat ADHD. These can help families deal with the stress of having a child who has ADHD, as well as teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can assist parents understand the disorder, and develop parenting techniques that encourage positive results in their children.
Adults with ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their doctors and inform them of any other medications, including over-the drug products. Certain medications may interact with certain medications or cause side effects that are worsened by other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis, it is essential to monitor the patient's progress to ensure that the patient receives the benefits of the medication and doesn't experience any adverse side negative effects. It is recommended that a patient be referred for a first clinical examination within 30 days of beginning treatment and monthly following that. This allows for the proper adjustment of psychostimulants like amphetamines and methylphenidate, to a well-tolerated, effective dose. This permits accurate recording of the patient's reaction and helps avoid keeping sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
Adults who aren't responding well to stimulant medications or have unwanted side effects that are difficult to tolerate might benefit from non-stimulant drugs. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine or other related alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have comorbid disorders like mood disorder or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. They may also suffer from medical problems like hearing and vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial evaluation for ADHD, it is important to detect these conditions and assess their severity. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments for adults.
ADHD can also be treated through marital therapy. Many spouses report website that they feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities to care for their spouses with ADHD and can become angry and angry in the process. Reduced resentment can be achieved by enhancing the awareness of their illness, and helping them understand that the symptoms aren't due to an absence of affection or willfulness. Couples who undergo this type of therapy generally experience a better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is typically suggested. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their ability to organize their lives, focus and control the impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their social, work and home life more effectively. Psychotherapy assists patients in understanding how their condition impacts different areas of their life and relationships. This helps reduce the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are often felt by adults with ADHD. They could be viewed by others as lazy or less intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by various mental disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. The presence of other mental health problems should be evaluated, as appropriate, to determine whether or not 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 proven that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is utilized results are more favorable than treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies will attempt to measure and assess the effects of functional improvement, like improved functioning in school as well as in the workplace and interpersonal relationships.