Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment of adhd in adults is based on therapy, medication and support from family members. People can also participate in clinical trials to test new ways of treating ADHD.
Stimulant medication is the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD. However, they must be closely monitored. That includes monthly clinical appointments and regular reviews of symptoms and side effects.
Medications
Numerous medications can be used to treat the symptoms of ADHD among 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 select the most appropriate medication for your needs and will determine the most effective dosage and timetable. It could take a while to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that control your symptoms.
The first drug that doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. These medications increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in your brain, which enhances your ability to focus and manage impulses. The medications are available in short-, medium-- and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants can last up to up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medicines last for 8-10 hours. Long-acting drugs can last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause side effects than shorterand intermediate-acting drugs, however they still can cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine, (Strattera), are used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause unwanted side effects. These medicines do not affect the levels of dopamine or norepinephrine, but they increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine. They also improve your concentration. These capsules are taken once or twice daily.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD also have other psychiatric disorders, like anxiety and depression. These conditions are known as comorbidities and may affect how you respond to ADHD treatment. It is essential to treat any comorbidities prior to starting treatment for ADHD. People who have a history of addiction to drugs are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It is recommended to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before treating them 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 qualifications, experience, training, and the philosophy of therapy. Psychotherapy could 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 working on more complicated and longstanding issues. The duration and frequency of therapy are determined by the patient and therapist together.
The use of psychotherapy and drugs together is a highly effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their abilities to organize their lives, manage their time and prioritizing; it can also teach strategies for managing emotions such as anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms and improve focus, which leads to more efficient and successful academic and work performance.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to have co-existing conditions, particularly mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing condition. 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 patient who suffers from ADHD might also be suffering from hypertension. Selecting a medication that addresses the ADHD symptoms but doesn't alter the patient's hypertension that is controlled requires knowledge of how different medications affect people over time and an understanding of the interactions between different medications.
It's crucial to find a therapist who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD and with whom you feel comfortable. It's also important to schedule your initial sessions in a time when you're not distracted by your family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD typically face a variety of life challenges, including work and relationship problems. The person who has ADHD might also experience anger, frustration and blame that has built up over time. Psychosocial treatments can aid patients and their families develop new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating.
Psychotherapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals change their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, as well as strategies for teaching that help improve organization and self-esteem. It may be done in individual or group sessions. Metacognitive therapy has proven to significantly reduce symptoms in adults with ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson and colleagues. 2002).
Certain people with ADHD may also require counseling to help them overcome specific issues in their lives. This could include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behavior, or difficulty dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can teach skills to help deal with these situations and enhance communication and problem-solving skills. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy and supportive group therapy. These can assist families to cope with the anxiety of having a child suffering from ADHD and help improve communication and reduce conflict. It can also help parents understand the disorder and develop parenting techniques that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
It is important for people with ADHD to discuss their medications with their health care professionals regularly, and to reveal any other medications they're taking, including over-the-counter drugs. Certain medications can cause adverse effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis, it is important to monitor the patient's progress to ensure that he/she reaps the benefits of the medication and does not suffer from side negative effects. It is recommended to visit patients for initial medical monitoring within 30 days of starting treatment and then every month after that. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this allows for complete titration to an effective dose that is well-tolerated. This allows for a precise registration of the patient's response and helps to avoid having sensitive patients remain on insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses onto unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
For adults who are unable to respond well to stimulant medication or experience uncontrollable side effects the use of non-stimulant drugs could be recommended. This usually involves the use the methylphenidate based atomoxetine alternatives.
Adults with ADHD are frequently affected by comorbid disorders like depression or substance abuse. Moreover, they may have chronic sleep disorders or medical issues like hearing and vision problems. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD it is crucial to detect for these conditions and then evaluate the severity of them. These conditions can 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 who suffer from ADHD, and can become angry or resentful in response. Increasing the patient's awareness of the signs of their condition and helping them understand that these aren't willful actions or lack of affection can help to reduce resentment and marital difficulties. Couples who undergo this type of therapy generally experience a better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For those who suffer from ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include the cognitive-behavioral aspect. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their ability to organize their lives, focus and control an impulsive behaviour. It helps patients manage their work, home, and social situations in more productive ways. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their disorder impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. treating adhd in adults can help reduce the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are often seen among people suffering from ADHD. They may be perceived by others as lazy or inexperienced.
ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by a variety of mental disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. If necessary the presence of any other mental disorders should be assessed to determine if ADHD symptoms are a result of them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is usually recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that the combination of psychotherapy with medication produces 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.