Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults suffering from adhd are treated through therapy, medication, and family support. Clinical trials are available to test the effectiveness of new treatments for ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are most likely to benefit from stimulant medications. However, they must be closely monitored. This means monthly appointments with a doctor and frequent review of symptoms.
Medicines
There are a variety of medications that can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications are called psychostimulants. They function by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will recommend a medication that's right for you and will determine the most effective dose and time to take it. It may take a while to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that is able to control your symptoms.
Stimulants are often the first medication doctors prescribe for adults suffering from ADHD. These medications increase the amount of dopamine in your brain, and also norepinephrine which allows you to manage your impulses and keep your focus. They are available in short-, intermediateand long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants last around 6 hours, intermediate-acting medications last between 8 and 10 hours, while long-acting medications last for up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely cause adverse effects than intermediate- or shorter-acting medications. However, they may still cause sleepiness and change in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera), are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medications don't alter your dopamine or norepinephrine, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain and increase your ability to concentrate. These capsules are consumed once or twice daily.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression. These are referred to as comorbid conditions and can affect how you respond to treatment for ADHD. It is important to address any comorbid conditions before starting treatment for ADHD. For instance, those who have an addiction history to drugs or disorder may be more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It is recommended to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interactive process of discussing and talking about things that can be troubling or troubling to a person. The therapist listens and provides advice based on his or her training, education and experience, professional credentials and therapeutic philosophical philosophies. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or even months), addressing more immediate issues, or more long-term. The therapist and patient decide on the duration and frequency of therapy.
Psychotherapy and medication together are an extremely effective method to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their organizational skills, time management and prioritizing; it can also teach strategies for managing emotions like anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms, increase focus and lead to better work and academic performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing issues, especially mood disorders like anxiety and depression. It is crucial that any co-existing condition 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 may also be suffering from hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms but doesn't affect 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 is important to choose the right therapist with whom you have a good relationship, and who has experience treating adults with ADHD. It's also important to arrange your first few sessions when you aren't distracted by family responsibilities or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD often have many issues in their lives, including relationships and work problems. They may also experience frustration, blame and anger that have developed in their lives because of their symptoms. Numerous psychosocial therapies have been proven to help them and their families learn new attitudes, skills and ways of connecting.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people change their habits and thoughts. It involves setting goals, training and the practice of skills, as well as teaching strategies for improving self-esteem and organizational skills. It can be carried out in group or individual sessions. A few studies have proven that the use of metacognitive therapy can reduce symptoms and improve functioning in adults with ADHD (Stevenson et al 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD also need counseling to address specific challenges. These could include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behavior, or difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can teach the how to handle these situations, improve communication and enhance problem-solving abilities. It can also help improve relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term partnerships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These can help families deal with the stress of having a child suffering from ADHD and help improve communication and reduce conflict. It can also assist parents to learn about the disorder and develop parenting techniques that promote positive outcomes for their children.
It is essential for people with ADHD to discuss their medications with their health care professionals regularly, and to disclose all other medications they're taking, including over-the-counter drugs. Certain medications may interact with certain medications or cause adverse effects that are exacerbated by other medicines.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough assessment and diagnosis, it is crucial to monitor the patient's progress to ensure that the patient receives the benefits of the medication and does not experience side negative effects. It is recommended that patients be referred for an initial medical check-up within 30 days of initiating treatment, and every month thereafter. This allows for an accurate adjustment of psychostimulants like amphetamines and methylphenidate, to a well-tolerated and effective dose. This permits accurate recording of the patient's reaction and assists in avoiding the patient from being kept taking insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses to excessively high levels (rapid metabolizers).
Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medication or suffer from adverse effects that are unpalatable may benefit from nonstimulant medications. This is usually the case with atomoxetine or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually affected by comorbid disorders, like depression or drug abuse. They might also be suffering from medical problems like hearing and vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. It is essential to identify and analyze these conditions in the initial assessment for ADHD here because they could have a significant impact on functional impairment in adults.
Marital therapy can also be beneficial in the treatment of ADHD. spouses feel overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses suffering from ADHD, and can become angry or resentful as a consequence. The way to reduce resentment is by enhancing the awareness of their condition, and helping them understand that the symptoms are not due to a lack in willfulness or love. Couples who undergo this type of therapy tend to have better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For people who suffer from ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include the cognitive-behavioral aspect. Behavioral therapy helps patients learn to improve their ability to organize their lives and focus and control their an impulsive behaviour. It helps patients manage their home, work, and social situations in more productive ways. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition affects different areas of their lives and relationships. This can help reduce the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are often seen among adults with ADHD. They may be viewed by others as lazy or unintelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by a variety of psychiatric disorders. For example, anxiety disorders occur at a higher rate in adult ADHD patients, and depression is found in greater numbers among those suffering from the disorder. If necessary the presence of other mental disorders should be analyzed to determine whether ADHD symptoms are caused by them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with the combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been proven that the combination of psychotherapy with medication can produce better results than either therapy by itself. Future controlled medication studies will attempt to monitor and evaluate the effects of functional improvement, like improvement in school performance or at work, as well as interpersonal relations.