Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adhd in adults focuses on medication, therapy and support from family members. Clinical trials are being conducted to test new treatments for ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to benefit from stimulant medications. However, they must be closely monitored. That includes monthly clinical appointments and regular reviews of side effects and symptoms.
Medicines
There are a variety of medications that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. Get More are known as psychostimulants and they alter the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that pass messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will select a medication that's right for you and will decide the most appropriate dosage and time to take it. It may take some time to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that control your symptoms.
The first drug that doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. These medications increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which improve your ability to focus and control impulses. These medications are available in short-, mediumand long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last about 6 hours, intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours, while long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause side effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medicines. However, they may cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine, (Strattera), are used to treat adult ADHD in cases where stimulants don't work or cause undesirable adverse effects. These medications don't affect your dopamine or norepinephrine levels however, they can increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine and improve your focus. Get More come in capsule form and are taken twice or once each day.
Some adults with ADHD suffer from co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety. These conditions are known as comorbidities and can influence how you respond to ADHD treatment. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbid issues. People who have a history of substance abuse disorders are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. Because of this, it's often advisable to wait until the patient has stopped using substances before considering treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interactive method of discussing and discussing issues that could be troubling or troubling to a person. The therapist provides guidance based upon his or her training, experience, credentials and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with more immediate challenges or longer-term (months or years) in which a person is attempting to resolve more complicated and longstanding issues. The patient and therapist determine the length and frequency of therapy.
Psychotherapy and medication are an extremely effective method to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help 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, improve focus, and result in better academic and work performance.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to be affected by co-existing issues, especially mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. It is crucial that any co-existing disorders be addressed prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment of co-existing disorders could require different types and doses of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a patient with ADHD might also be suffering from hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms but doesn't affect the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires knowledge of how different medications affect people over time and an understanding of the interactions between medications.
It is important to choose an therapist with whom you have an excellent relationship and who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. It's also important to arrange your first few sessions during times when you're not distracted by family responsibilities or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD typically face a variety of problems in their lives, such as relationships and work issues. They may also feel anger, blame, and frustration that have developed in their lives because of their symptoms. A variety of psychosocial treatments have been proven to aid their families and patients learn new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that assists people in changing their behavior and thinking. It involves setting goals, training and the practice of skills, as well as methods of teaching to improve self-esteem and organizational skills. 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 for adults suffering from ADHD (Stevenson et al 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also require counseling to address specific issues. These issues could include family conflicts, aggressive or impulsive behaviors, and difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help you develop the strategies to help manage these situations and improve the ability to communicate and solve problems. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Family therapy and support groups therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that could be used to treat ADHD. 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 assist parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting strategies that encourage positive results in their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medications regularly with their doctor and disclose any other medications, such as over-the prescription drugs. Certain medications can trigger adverse reactions or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis is made it is crucial that the patient be monitored to ensure that he or she is receiving the benefits of the medication and not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended that patients be examined for initial clinical monitoring within 30 days of beginning treatment, and every month following that. This will allow for a thorough titration of psychostimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate to a well-tolerated and effective dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response. It also assists in avoiding the patient from being kept on insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses on excessively high levels (rapid metabolizers).
For adults who are unable to respond effectively to stimulant medications or experience uncontrollable side effects the use of nonstimulant medications might be suggested. Most often, this is the use of atomoxetine or other related methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically suffer from comorbid disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. They might also be suffering from medical conditions like hearing or vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD it is crucial to identify for these conditions and then evaluate their severity. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments for adults.
Marital therapy can also be beneficial in the management of ADHD. Spouses often report that they are overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses who have ADHD and may become resentful and angry in the process. Making the patient aware of the symptoms of his/her illness and helping them understand that these aren't willful acts or a lack of love can reduce marital tensions and resentment. Couples who undergo this type of therapy tend to have better functioning families.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is generally advised. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy assists patients in improving their focus, organization skills, and control impulsive behaviors. It helps patients manage their home, work and social interactions in more productive ways. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition affects different areas of their life and relationships. This can reduce the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are often seen among people with ADHD. They might be viewed by others as lazy or inexperienced.
ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by many psychiatric disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. The presence of other mental health issues should be analyzed in order to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are linked to them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that a combination of psychotherapy and medication can produce superior results over either treatment by itself. Future controlled medication studies should aim to track and measure the improvement in functional aspects such as improved functioning at school, workplace, and interpersonal relationships.