Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults who suffer from adhd are treated by 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 medication. They need to be monitored regularly. This includes monthly clinical appointments and frequent examinations of symptoms.
Medicines
Numerous medications can be used to treat symptoms of ADHD among adults. These are known as psychostimulants, and they work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will choose the most appropriate medication for your needs and will determine the most effective dosage and timetable. It may take a while to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.
Stimulants are typically the first prescribed medication by doctors for adults suffering from ADHD. These medications increase the amount of dopamine in your brain and norepinephrine, which aids in controlling your thoughts and keep your focus. These medications are available in short-, medium- and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants last for 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours. Long-acting drugs last up to 16. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause side effects than intermediate or shorter-acting medications. However, they can still cause sleepiness and change in appetite.
Nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine, (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD in cases where stimulants don't work or cause undesirable side effects. These medicines don't affect the levels of norepinephrine or dopamine however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain and increase your ability to concentrate. These medicines come in capsule form and are taken twice or once every day.
Certain adults who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety. These are known as comorbid disorders and they can impact how you react to treatment for ADHD. It is essential to treat any comorbid conditions before starting treatment for ADHD. For instance, those who have an history of using substances disorder may be more likely to use psychostimulants. Because of this, it's generally advised to wait until the patient has removed themselves from using substances before evaluating treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process of discussing and talking about things that can be troubling or troubling to a person. The therapist gives advice on the basis of his or her qualifications, experience, training, and the therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy could be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues or longer-term (months or years) in which a person is working on more complicated and longstanding issues. The duration and frequency of the treatment is determined by the therapist and the patient together.
Psychotherapy and medication together are an extremely effective method to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help individuals improve their time management, organizational skills and prioritizing. It can also teach techniques to manage emotions such as anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms, increase concentration and improve academic and work performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely of co-existing illnesses. This is especially relevant for 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 may require different forms and dosages of medication than those used to treat ADHD.
A person with ADHD can also have hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms but doesn't destabilize the patient's tentatively controlled hypertension requires understanding how different medications affect individuals over time and an understanding of the interactions between various medications.
It's crucial to locate a therapist who has experience treating adults with ADHD and with whom you feel comfortable. It's also important to schedule your first few sessions during times when you're not distracted by family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD face a variety of challenges in their lives, such as problems at work and in relationships. A person with ADHD may 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 develop new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people change their habits and thoughts. It involves goal-setting, training and practice of skills, and methods of teaching to improve self-esteem and organization. It can be conducted in group or individual sessions. Certain studies have demonstrated that treatment for metacognitive disorders can reduce symptoms and improve performance in adults with ADHD (Stevenson et al, 2002).
Certain people with ADHD may also require therapy to help them overcome certain issues in their lives. These issues could include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, and difficulty coping with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help develop skills to help deal with these situations and enhance communication and problem-solving abilities. It can also improve relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term partnerships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These therapies can help families cope and learn skills to reduce conflict and improve communication when dealing with children who have ADHD. It can assist parents understand the condition and develop parenting methods that encourage positive results in their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their doctors and disclose any other medications, including over-the drug products. Certain medications can interact with specific medications or cause side effects that are worsened by other medicines.
Medication Monitoring
After a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis is made it is essential to monitor the patient to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of medication and not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended to visit patients for initial clinical assessment within 30 days of beginning treatment, and then every month after that. This allows for the proper adjustment of psychostimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate to a well-tolerated and effective dose. This permits accurate recording of the patient's response and helps avoid keeping the patient with a sensitive response on doses that are not sufficient.
Adults who aren't responding well to stimulant medication or who have adverse effects that are unpalatable may benefit from nonstimulant medications. This usually involves the use the methylphenidate based atomoxetine alternatives.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are frequently affected by comorbid conditions, such as depression or substance abuse. They might also be suffering from medical conditions like hearing or vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial evaluation for ADHD it is crucial to detect for these conditions and then evaluate them. These conditions could have a significant impact on functional impairments for adults.
Marital therapy is also useful in the treatment of ADHD. Couples often say that they feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities to care for their spouses with ADHD and can become resentful and angry in the process. Reducing resentment can be achieved by increasing the patient's understanding of his/her condition, and helping them to understand that the symptoms aren't the result of a lack in love or willfulness. Couples who go through this kind of therapy tend to have better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD is typically recommended. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy can help patients improve their organization skills, focus, and control impulsive behaviors. It helps patients manage their social, work and home environments more efficiently. treating adhd in adults helps patients to understand how their disorder impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This helps reduce the shame and low-esteem that are often seen among people suffering from ADHD. They could be viewed by others as lazy or unintelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders may be akin to ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. The presence of other psychiatric issues should be analyzed in order to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are related to them.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated using the combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been proven that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is utilized, the results are better than treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies will attempt to monitor and evaluate improvements in functional performance, for example, improvement in school performance or at work, as well as interpersonal relations.