Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adults with adhd includes therapy, medication and family support. Clinical trials are being conducted to test new treatments for ADHD.
Stimulant medication is the most effective medications for adults with ADHD. They require monitoring regularly. This means monthly appointments with a doctor and regular reviews of symptoms.
Medicines
There are many drugs that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are referred to as psychostimulants. they alter the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that pass messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will select a medication that's right for you and will determine the best dose and schedule to take it. It could take some time to determine the appropriate medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.
The first drug that doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. These drugs increase the amount of dopamine that is present in your brain and norepinephrine, which aids in controlling your thoughts and focus. These medications are available in short-, medium-and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last for about 6 hours, intermediate-acting drugs last 8-10 hours, and long-acting medicines last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause side effects than shorterand intermediate-acting drugs, however they still cause insomnia and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant medicines, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) can be used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unpleasant side consequences. These medicines don't affect your norepinephrine or dopamine levels however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain, and improve your ability to focus. These capsules are consumed once or twice a day.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD also have other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression. These are called comorbid conditions and they can impact how you react to treatment for ADHD. It is important to address any comorbid conditions before starting treatment for ADHD. For instance, those who have an history of using substances disorder are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It is recommended to wait until someone has stopped using drugs before using stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interactive process of talking and discussing issues that may be disturbing or troubling for a person. The therapist gives advice based upon his or her education, experience, credentials and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues, or long-term (months or years) in which a patient is working on more complex and long-standing issues. The therapist and the patient determine the duration and frequency of treatment.
Psychotherapy and medication are an extremely effective way to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their ability to manage their time, organize and prioritizing. It can also teach methods for managing emotions such as anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms and improve focus, leading to more productive and effective academic and work.
Adults with ADHD are more likely of having co-existing disorders. This is particularly relevant for mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. It is important that any co-existing conditions be treated before beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different types and dosages of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
A person suffering from ADHD can also have hypertension. Choosing a medication that treats the ADHD symptoms, but does not affect the patient's tentatively controlled hypertension requires knowledge of how various medications affect people over time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between various medications.
It's crucial to choose a therapist with expertise in treating adults with ADHD and with whom you feel at ease. It is crucial to schedule your first few sessions at a time that you aren't distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD often have many life challenges, including relationships and work issues. A person with ADHD may also experience anger, frustration and blame that have developed over time. Psychosocial therapies can help patients and their families develop new skills, attitudes, and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy can include cognitive behavior therapy, a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals change their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, skill training and practice, as well as methods to help improve self-esteem and organization. This can be accomplished individually or in a group. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms among adults suffering from ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson et al., 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD require counseling to address specific life issues. These could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulties coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help teach skills to manage these situations, improve communication, and enhance problem-solving abilities. It can also improve relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy as well as supportive group therapy. These can assist families to cope with the anxiety of having a child with ADHD and teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can also assist parents to learn about the disorder and develop parenting strategies that promote positive outcomes for their children.
Adults with ADHD must discuss their medication regularly with their physicians and disclose any other medications, including over the drug products. Some medications can interact with specific medications or cause adverse effects that are exacerbated adhd in adult women treatment by other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination 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 that patients be examined for a first clinical examination within 30 days of starting treatment and then every month afterward. This permits the proper adjustment of psychostimulants like amphetamines and methylphenidate to a safe, effective dose. This permits accurate recording of the patient's response and helps to avoid having sensitive patients remain on insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses on unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medication or suffer from unwanted side effects that are difficult to tolerate might benefit from non-stimulant drugs. This usually involves the use atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically suffer from comorbid disorders such as mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. Moreover, they may have persistent sleep disturbances or medical problems such as hearing and vision disorders. As part of the initial evaluation for ADHD, it is important to identify for these conditions and then evaluate the severity of them. These conditions could have a significant impact on functional impairments in adults.
Marital therapy is also useful in the treatment of ADHD. Spouses report feeling overburdened with the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses with ADHD and may become angry or resentful as a consequence. The way to reduce resentment is by enhancing the patient's awareness of their illness, and helping them understand that the symptoms aren't caused by a lack in love or willfulness. Couples who undergo 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 incorporate an element of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy helps patients learn to improve their abilities to manage their time, focus and control the impulsive behavior. It helps patients learn to manage their work, social and home life more effectively. Psychotherapy assists patients in understanding how their condition impacts different areas of their life and relationships. This can help alleviate the self-doubt and shame that is often seen in adults with ADHD, who may be considered inept or unintelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders can mimic ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders and depression. The presence of other psychiatric issues should be analyzed, as appropriate, to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are connected to them.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated with an amalgamation of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been shown that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is employed results are more favorable than either treatment alone. Future controlled studies will aim to measure and assess improvements in functional performance, for example, better functioning at school or at work, as well as interpersonal relationships.