Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults with adhd are treated with therapy, medication, and family support. Patients can also take part in clinical trials to test new ways of treating ADHD.
Stimulant medication is the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD. But they need to be constantly monitored. This includes regular clinical appointments, and frequent reviews of symptoms and side effects.
adhd treatments adults
There are many drugs that can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are called psychostimulants and they affect the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) which transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will determine the right medication for you and will determine the most effective dosage and schedule. It could take some time to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.
The first medication doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. They increase the amount of dopamine found in your brain and norepinephrine, which helps you to control your impulses and focus. They come in short-, intermediate- and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last around 6 hours, intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours, and long-acting medications last for up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have less negative effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medications, but they still cause insomnia and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant medicines, such as atomoxetine (Strattera) can be used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medicines don't affect the levels of norepinephrine or dopamine however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine that's available to your brain, and improve your ability to concentrate. These medications are available in capsules and are taken once or twice each day.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD may also suffer from other psychiatric disorders, like anxiety and depression. These conditions are referred to as comorbidities and can affect how you respond to ADHD treatment. It's important to treat any comorbid disorders prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. For instance, those who have an addiction history to drugs or disorder may be more likely to use psychostimulants. Because of this, it is generally recommended to wait until a person has removed themselves from using substances before evaluating treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process that involves talking and discussing topics that cause distress or anxiety to the person. The therapist offers guidance based upon his or her training, experience, credentials and the philosophy of therapy. Psychotherapy can be short-term, (a few weeks or months) and can address more immediate issues, or long-term. The therapist and the patient decide on the length and frequency of therapy.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication together is an extremely effective treatment for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy helps people improve their abilities to organize their lives, manage their time and prioritizing. It can also teach strategies for managing emotions like anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and improve focus, which leads to more efficient and successful work and academic performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a higher likelihood of having co-existing disorders. This is particularly relevant for mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is essential to treat any co-existing disorders. Treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types and doses of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
A person who suffers from ADHD may also be suffering from hypertension. To select a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without destabilizing the patient's hypertension it is crucial to understand how different medications affect individuals in the course of time, as well as the interactions between the medications.
It's important to find a professional with whom you share a good relations, and who has experience in treating adults with ADHD. It's important to schedule your first few sessions at times when you aren't distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD often have many issues in their lives, including relationships and work problems. The person who has ADHD might also experience frustration, anger and guilt that has built up over time. A variety of psychosocial treatments have been proven effective in helping them and their families learn new attitudes, skills and ways of relating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type psychotherapy that helps people change their habits and thoughts. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, as well as teaching strategies for improving organization and self-esteem. It can be conducted in individual or group sessions. Metacognitive therapy has proven to significantly reduce symptoms in adults suffering from ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson, et al., 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD require counseling to address specific life difficulties. These issues could include family conflicts, aggressive or impulsive behavior, and difficulties in dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help develop how to handle these situations, improve communication, and increase problem-solving capabilities. It can also enhance relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Family therapy and supportive groups therapy are two other types of psychotherapy that could be used to treat ADHD. add treatments for adults can help families cope with the stress of having a child suffering from ADHD, as well as teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can assist parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting methods that encourage positive results in their children.
It is crucial for adults with ADHD to discuss their medication with their healthcare providers regularly, and to inform them of any other medications they're taking, including any over-the-counter medications. Certain medications can cause adverse reactions or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis is made, it is essential that the patient is monitored to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of medication and not experiencing any adverse side effects. It is recommended to visit the patient for the initial medical monitoring within 30 days after starting treatment, and then every month following that. This allows for an accurate titration of psychostimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate to a well-tolerated and effective dose. This permits accurate recording of the patient's reaction and assists in avoiding keeping sensitive patients on doses that are not sufficient (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses on excessively high levels (rapid metabolizers).
adhd in adults treatment who do not respond well to stimulant medication or suffer from side effects that are intolerable could benefit from non-stimulant medications. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine or other alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults suffering from ADHD often have comorbid disorders such as mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. Additionally, they may suffer from persistent sleep disturbances or medical problems such as vision and hearing disorders. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD, it is important to identify these conditions and assess their severity. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments in adults.
ADHD can also be controlled through marital therapy. Couples often say that they feel overburdened by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses with ADHD and may become resentful and angry in the process. Reducing resentment can be achieved by increasing the patient's understanding of his/her illness, and helping them to understand that the symptoms are not caused by an absence of affection or willfulness. Couples who go through this type of therapy usually experience improved family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For people who suffer from ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include the cognitive-behavioral aspect. Behavioral therapy assists patients in learning to improve their abilities to manage their time and focus, as well as control the impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their social, work, and home situations more efficiently. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their disorder affects different areas of their lives and relationships. This can help decrease the self-doubt and shame that are often experienced by those with ADHD who are viewed as lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders can be akin to ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders and depression. The presence of any other psychiatric problems should be evaluated according to the need, to determine whether or not 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 shown that when a combination of medication and psychotherapy is employed the results are superior than the results of either treatment alone. Future controlled medication studies will attempt to measure and assess functional improvements, such as improvement in school performance or at work, as well as interpersonal relations.