Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults with adhd are treated through medication, therapy, and family support. Clinical trials are being conducted to test new treatments for ADHD.
Stimulant medications are the most effective medications for adults with ADHD. They require monitoring regularly. This means monthly appointments with a doctor and regular review of symptoms.
Medicines
There are many medications that can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in 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 cells. Your doctor will select the right medication for you and will decide on the most appropriate dosage and timetable. It may take a while to determine the appropriate medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.
The first medication doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. adhd treatment adults increase the amount of dopamine in your brain, and also norepinephrine which helps you to control your impulses and keep your focus. They come in short-, intermediate-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medicines last between 8 and 10 hours, and long-acting medications last for up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause adverse effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medicines. However, they may induce sleepiness and a change in appetite.
Nonstimulant medicines, such as atomoxetine (Strattera), can be used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause unwanted side effects. These medications don't alter the levels of norepinephrine or dopamine however they increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain and improve your ability to focus. These medications are available in capsule form and are taken once or twice each day.
Some adults with ADHD may also suffer from other psychiatric disorders, like depression and anxiety. These are referred to as comorbid conditions and they can impact the way you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbid issues. Patients with a history of addiction to drugs are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. For this reason, it's generally advised to wait until the person has quit using substances before considering treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a method of therapy that involves discussing and talking about topics that cause distress or anxiety to a person. The therapist listens to the person and provides guidance based on his or his or her training, education as well as experience professional credentials and therapeutic philosophical philosophies. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with more immediate challenges or more long-term (months or years) where a person is working on more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of therapy are determined by the patient and therapist together.
The use of psychotherapy and medications together is an extremely effective treatment for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their ability to manage their time, organize and prioritizing; it can also teach strategies to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and increase focus, leading to more effective and efficient academic and work.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely of co-existing illnesses. This is particularly relevant for mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. It is crucial that any co-existing conditions be treated prior to starting treatment for ADHD. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different types and doses of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
A person who suffers from ADHD may also suffer from hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms, but does not affect the patient's tentatively controlled hypertension requires knowledge of how various medications affect people over time and an understanding of the interactions between medications.
It is important to choose a professional with whom you share a an excellent relationship and who has experience in treating adults with ADHD. It is crucial to schedule your initial sessions at a time that you won't be distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD face a variety of challenges in their lives, such as problems at work and with relationships. They may also feel anger, blame and frustration that have accumulated in their lives due to their symptoms. A variety of psychosocial treatments have been proven to aid their families and patients learn new skills, attitudes and ways of connecting.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people change their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, skill training and practice, and methods to help improve organization and self-esteem. This can be accomplished individually or in a group. Certain studies have demonstrated that treatment for metacognitive disorders can reduce symptoms and improve functioning for adults suffering from ADHD (Stevenson et al 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD require counseling to address specific life difficulties. These challenges may include family conflicts, aggressive or impulsive behaviors, or difficulty in dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help you develop the strategies to help deal with these situations and increase the ability to communicate and solve problems. It can also enhance relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These therapies can help families cope and improve their skills to manage conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child who has ADHD. It can also help parents recognize the symptoms and develop parenting styles that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
It is crucial for people suffering from ADHD to discuss their medications with their healthcare providers regularly, and to reveal all other medications they are taking, including over-the-counter drugs. Certain medications can trigger side effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis is established, it is crucial to monitor the patient to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of medication and not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended to visit a patient for the initial clinical assessment within 30 days of beginning treatment, and then every month after that. This permits a thorough adjustment of psychostimulants like amphetamines and methylphenidate to a well-tolerated and effective dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response and 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).
Adults who are not responding well to stimulant medications or who have adverse effects that are unpalatable could benefit from non-stimulant medications. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine, or other alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually affected by comorbid disorders such as depression or substance abuse. They might also be suffering from medical problems like hearing and vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD, it is important to screen for these conditions and then evaluate the severity of them. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments for adults.
Marital therapy can be helpful in managing ADHD. Couples often say that they are overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses who have ADHD and may become resentful and angry due to this. Increasing the patient's awareness of the symptoms of his/her illness and helping them understand that these aren't impulsive acts or a lack of affection can help reduce marital conflict and resentment. Couples who go through this type of therapy are more likely to have better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For those who suffer from ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include an element of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy assists patients in improving their focus, organization skills and manage impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their home, work and social settings more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition affects different areas of their life and relationships. This can help alleviate the self-doubt and shame that are often experienced by those with ADHD who are viewed as lazy or less intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by many psychiatric disorders. For instance anxiety disorders are found at a higher rate in adults ADHD patients and depression is seen in greater numbers among people suffering from the disorder. If needed, the presence of other mental disorders should be assessed to determine if ADHD symptoms are caused by them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is typically recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that the combination of psychotherapy and medication produces better results than either treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies will attempt to track and evaluate functional improvements, such as improved functioning in school, the workplace, and interpersonal relations.