Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adults with adhd focuses on medication, therapy 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 medications. They require monitoring regularly. This includes regular clinical appointments, and frequent reviews of side effects and symptoms.
Medicines
There are many medications that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are referred to as psychostimulants. They function by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will determine the appropriate medication for you, and determine the best dosage and timetable. It may take a while to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.
The first medication that doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. These drugs increase the amount of dopamine that is present in your brain and norepinephrine, which allows you to manage your thoughts and focus. These medicines are available in short-, medium-and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last for about 6 hours, intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours, while long-acting medicines last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely cause adverse reactions than intermediate- or shorter-acting medicines. However, they can cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera), are used to treat adults with ADHD in cases where stimulants don't work or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medicines do not affect your norepinephrine or dopamine levels however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain, and improve your ability to focus. The capsules are taken one or two times a day.
Certain adults who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety or depression. These are called comorbid conditions and they can influence how you react to treatment for ADHD. It is important to address any comorbid conditions before starting treatment for ADHD. People with a history substance abuse disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It is recommended to wait until someone has stopped using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a method of therapy that involves talking and discussing 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 philosophical philosophies. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a couple of weeks or months), addressing more immediate issues, or longer-term. The duration and frequency of the treatment is decided by the therapist and patient together.
The use of psychotherapy and medications together is an extremely effective treatment for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their abilities to organize their lives, manage their time 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 of co-existing conditions. This is particularly applicable to mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Before starting treatment for ADHD, it is important to treat any co-existing conditions. The treatment of co-existing conditions could require different types of medications and dosages compared to the medications used to treat ADHD.
A person with ADHD may also be suffering from hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms, but does not affect the patient's tentatively controlled hypertension requires understanding how different medications affect people over time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between various medications.
It's important to find a therapist with whom you have a good relationship, and who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. It's important to schedule your first few sessions at times when you will not be distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD face many challenges in their lives, including difficulties at work and in relationships. The person who has ADHD might also experience frustration, anger and blame that have built up over time. Psychosocial therapies can help patients and their families develop new abilities, attitudes and ways of relating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people alter their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, as well as teaching strategies for improving self-esteem and organizational skills. This can be accomplished individually or in a group setting. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms in adults with ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson, et al. 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also require counseling to deal with specific life challenges. These challenges may include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, and difficulty coping with failures and disappointments. Counseling can teach the how to handle these situations, improve communication and enhance problem-solving abilities. It can also help improve relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Other forms of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These therapies can help families cope and develop skills to lessen conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child suffering from ADHD. It can help parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting methods that promote positive outcomes for their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their physicians and disclose any other medications, such as over-the drug products. Some medications can cause side effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis, it is crucial to monitor the patient's condition to ensure that the patient receives the benefits of the medication and does not experience any adverse side adverse effects. It is recommended that patients be referred for initial clinical monitoring within 30 days of beginning treatment and monthly afterward. This permits the proper adjustment of psychostimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines to a well-tolerated, effective dose. This allows accurate registration of the patients' response and prevents the patient from being a sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
Adults who are not responding well to stimulant medication or who have adverse effects that are unpalatable may benefit from nonstimulant medications. This typically involves the use of the methylphenidate based atomoxetine alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually affected by comorbid disorders like depression or substance abuse. They may also have medical problems like hearing and vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial evaluation for ADHD it is essential to detect such conditions and evaluate their severity. These conditions can have a significant impact on functional impairments in adults.
Marital therapy can be read more helpful in managing ADHD. Many spouses report that they are overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses who have ADHD and can become angry and angry as a result. The way to reduce resentment is by enhancing the patient's awareness of their condition, and helping them to realize that the symptoms aren't due to a lack in love or willfulness. Couples who undergo this type of therapy typically experience better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For those who suffer from ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate a cognitive-behavioral component. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their abilities to manage their time and focus, as well as control an impulsive behaviour. 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 lives and relationships. This can help decrease the shame and low self-esteem that is often seen in adults with ADHD who are considered lazy or less intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders can be akin to ADHD symptoms. For instance anxiety disorders are found at a high rate in adults ADHD patients, and depression is found at higher levels in adults with the disorder. If needed the presence of any other psychiatric disorders should be analyzed 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 demonstrated that when a combination of medication and psychotherapy is used the results are superior than either treatment alone. Future controlled studies will aim to track and evaluate the effects of functional improvement, like improvement in school performance as well as in the workplace and interpersonal relations.