Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults suffering from adhd are treated with therapy, medication and support from family members. Clinical trials are available to test new treatments for ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are most likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. They must be monitored regularly. This includes regular appointments with a physician and regular examinations of symptoms.
Medicines
There are a variety of medications that can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are known as psychostimulants. They work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will determine the right medication for you, and determine the best dosage and schedule. It may take some time to find the right dosage and medication that control your symptoms.
The first medication doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. These drugs increase the amount of dopamine that is present in your brain, and also norepinephrine which aids in controlling your impulses and improve your focus. They are available in short-, intermediate-- and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours, and long-acting medications last for up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause side effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medicines, but they still can cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine, (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD if stimulants do not perform or cause unwanted side effects. These medicines don't affect your norepinephrine or dopamine levels however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine that's available to your brain and increase your ability to focus. These medications are in capsules and are taken twice or once every day.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, like depression and anxiety. These disorders are referred to as comorbidities and may affect your response to ADHD treatment. It's important to treat any comorbidities prior to starting treatment for ADHD. For instance, those who have an addiction history to drugs or disorder may be more likely to use psychostimulants. It is recommended to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before taking them on 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 and provides advice based on her education, training and experience professional credentials and therapeutic philosophies. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with more immediate challenges or longer-term (months or years) in which a patient is attempting to resolve more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of treatment is determined by the patient and therapist together.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication is an extremely effective method to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their ability to manage their time, organize and prioritizing. It can also teach techniques to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms, increase concentration and improve academic and work performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have co-existing issues, especially mood disorders like depression and anxiety. It is important that any co-existing condition be treated prior to starting treatment for ADHD. The treatment of co-existing disorders could require different types of medications and dosages than the medications used to treat ADHD.
A person with ADHD may also suffer from hypertension. To select a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without destabilizing the patient's hypertension it is crucial to know how different medications affect individuals in the course of time, as well as the interactions between medications.
It is essential to choose a therapist with had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you feel at ease. It's also important to schedule your first few sessions during times when you won't be distracted by family responsibilities or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD have many difficulties in their lives, such as issues at work and in relationships. They may also feel frustration, blame and anger that have accumulated in their lives because of their symptoms. Psychosocial therapies can aid patients and their families develop new attitudes, skills, and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy can also include cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy that assists individuals modify their thinking and behavior. It involves setting goals, training and the practice of skills, as well as strategies for teaching that help improve organization and self-esteem. It may be done in group or individual sessions. A few studies have proven that treatment for metacognitive disorders can reduce symptoms and improve performance in adults with ADHD (Stevenson and colleagues 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD require counseling to deal with specific life difficulties. These challenges may include family conflicts, aggressive or impulsive behaviors, and difficulty coping with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help teach skills to manage these situations, improve communication and enhance problem-solving abilities. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, particularly in long-term marriages or other partnerships.
Family therapy and supportive group therapy are also types of psychotherapy that can be utilized to treat ADHD. These can assist families to cope 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 strategies that encourage positive results in their children.
It is important for adults with ADHD to discuss their medication with their healthcare providers regularly, and to disclose all other medications they are taking, including any over-the-counter medications. Certain medications can trigger adverse reactions 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 receives the benefits of the medication and does not suffer from side effects. It is recommended that patients be examined for a first clinical examination within 30 days of starting treatment and then every month following that. This permits a thorough adjustment of psychostimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate to a safe, effective dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's reaction and helps avoid keeping sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
For adults who are not responding well to stimulant medication or suffer from uncontrollable side effects, the use of nonstimulant medication might be suggested. treating add is usually the case with the methylphenidate based atomoxetine alternatives.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are often affected by comorbid conditions, like depression or drug abuse. Moreover, they may have chronic sleep disorders or medical problems such as 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 managed through marital therapy. Couples complain of being overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses with ADHD, and can be angry or resentful as a consequence. The way to reduce resentment is by enhancing the patient's understanding of his/her condition, and helping them understand that the symptoms aren't the result of a lack in love or willfulness. Couples who undergo this type of therapy tend to have better functioning families.
Behavioral Therapy
For adults with ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include the cognitive-behavioral aspect. Behavioral therapy assists patients in improving their focus, organization skills, and control impulsive behaviors. It helps patients manage their home, work and social settings in more productive ways. Psychotherapy assists patients in understanding how their disorder impacts various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can reduce the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are commonly seen in adults with ADHD. They might be perceived by others as lazy or inexperienced.
Many psychiatric disorders may mimic ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. If needed the presence of any other psychiatric disorders must be analyzed to determine whether ADHD symptoms are caused by them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been demonstrated that when a combination of medication and psychotherapy is used, the results are better than treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to measure and track the effects of functional improvements, such as better functioning at school, workplace, and interpersonal relationships.