Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment of adhd in adults includes therapy, medication and support from family members. Clinical trials are being conducted to test new treatments for ADHD.
treatment of add suffering from ADHD are most likely to benefit from stimulant medication. But they need to be constantly monitored. That includes monthly clinical appointments as well as frequent reviews of symptoms and side effects.
Medicines
There are many drugs that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are referred to as psychostimulants. they work by changing the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will determine the appropriate medication for you and will determine the most effective dosage and timetable. It may take a while to find the right dosage and medication that is able to control your symptoms.
The first drug that doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. These medicines increase the amounts of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which increase your ability to concentrate and manage impulses. They come in short-, intermediate-- and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last for about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medicines last between 8 and 10 hours, and long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause adverse effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medications. However, they can still cause sleepiness and change in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD in cases where stimulants don't perform or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medicines don't affect the levels of norepinephrine or dopamine however they increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain and increase your ability to concentrate. The capsules are taken one or twice daily.
Many people with ADHD also have other psychiatric disorders, like anxiety and depression. These are known as comorbid disorders and can affect the way you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbid issues. For instance, people 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 quit using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interaction process of discussing and talking about issues that may be disturbing or troubling to a person. The therapist provides guidance based upon his or her qualifications, experience, training, and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term, (a couple of weeks or months) or addressing more immediate issues, or longer-term. The duration and frequency of the treatment are determined by the therapist and patient together.
The use of psychotherapy and drugs together is an extremely effective treatment for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their time management, organizational skills, and prioritizing. It can also teach techniques to manage emotions such as anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms, improve concentration and improve academic and work performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a higher likelihood of co-existing illnesses. This is especially relevant for mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is essential to treat any co-existing condition. The treatment of co-existing conditions may require different types of medications and dosages compared to those prescribed to treat ADHD.
A person with ADHD may also suffer from hypertension. Selecting a medication that addresses the ADHD symptoms, but does not alter the patient's hypertension that is controlled requires knowledge of how different medications affect people over time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between different medications.
It's important to find the right therapy provider with whom you have a an excellent relationship and who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. It is also crucial to schedule your initial sessions in a time when you aren't distracted by family responsibilities or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD often face many issues in their lives, including relationships and work issues. They may also feel frustration, blame and anger that have accumulated in their lives because of their symptoms. Psychosocial therapies can help patients and their families develop new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that helps people alter their behavior and thinking. It involves setting goals, training and the practice of skills, as well as methods of teaching to improve organization and self-esteem. This can be accomplished individually or in a group setting. Some studies have shown that the use of metacognitive therapy can reduce symptoms and improve performance in adults with ADHD (Stevenson et al 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD require counseling to address specific difficulties. These difficulties could include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behavior, and difficulties in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help develop how to handle these situations, improve communication and enhance problem-solving abilities. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, especially in long-term marriages or other relationships.
Family therapy and supportive groups therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that could be used to treat ADHD. These therapies can help families cope and learn skills to reduce conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child who has ADHD. It can help parents understand the disorder, and develop parenting techniques that encourage positive outcomes in their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their doctor and also disclose any other medications, such as over-the prescription drugs. Certain medications may interact with specific medications or cause adverse effects that are exacerbated by other medicines.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis is made, it is essential that the patient be monitored to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of the medication and is not experiencing any adverse side effects. It is recommended that patients be seen for initial clinical monitoring within 30 days of starting treatment and then every month following that. This will allow for a thorough titration of psychostimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, to a safe, effective dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's reaction and helps to avoid 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 do not respond effectively to stimulant medications or suffer from uncontrollable side effects, the use of nonstimulant medications could be recommended. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine or other related methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. They might also be suffering from medical issues like hearing and vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial evaluation for ADHD it is crucial to detect such conditions and evaluate them. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments for adults.
ADHD can also be controlled through marital therapy. Couples often say that they feel overburdened by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses who have ADHD and can become angry and angry due to this. Increasing the patient's awareness of the symptoms of his/her condition and helping them realize that these aren't willful actions or lack of love can help to reduce marital conflict and resentment. Couples who undergo this type of therapy tend to have better functioning families.
Behavioral Therapy
For people who suffer from ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate an element of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy helps patients learn to improve their organizational skills and focus and control their the impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their social, work and home life more efficiently. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition affects various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help alleviate the self-doubt and shame that is often seen in people with ADHD who are viewed as lazy or less intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders mimic ADHD symptoms. For instance anxiety disorders are found at a higher rate in adults ADHD patients, and depression is found in greater numbers among people suffering from the disorder. If needed, the presence of other psychiatric disorders should be assessed to determine whether ADHD symptoms are a result of them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been demonstrated that a combination of psychotherapy and medication can produce better results than either therapy by itself. Future controlled medication studies will attempt to track and evaluate functional improvements, such as better functioning at school as well as in the workplace and interpersonal relations.