Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults who suffer from adhd are treated with therapy, medication, and family support. People can also participate in clinical trials to test new ways of treating ADHD.
Stimulant medications are the most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. However, they must be closely monitored. This includes monthly clinical appointments and frequent examinations of symptoms.
Medications
There are a variety of medications that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These medications are called psychostimulants. They work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will determine the right medication for you and will determine the most effective dosage and schedule. It could take some time to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that control your symptoms.
The first medication that doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. They increase the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which increase your ability to focus and control impulses. The medications are available in short-, medium-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medicines last between 8 and 10 hours, and long-acting medicines last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer adverse effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting drugs, however they still cause insomnia and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant medications, like atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause unpleasant side negative effects. These medications don't affect the levels of dopamine or norepinephrine however, they can increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine. They also improve your ability to concentrate. These medicines come in capsules and are taken once or twice every day.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD also have other psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. These are called comorbid conditions and they can influence the way you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before beginning treatment for ADHD, it's important to address any comorbidities. People who have a history of addiction to drugs are more likely to use psychostimulants. It's best to wait until someone has stopped using drugs before using stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a method of therapy that involves discussing and talking about topics that cause distress or anxiety to a person. The therapist offers guidance in accordance with their qualifications, experience, training and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with more immediate challenges, or long-term (months or years) where a person is working on more complicated and longstanding issues. The duration and frequency of therapy is decided by the therapist and patient together.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication is a highly effective way to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their organizational skills, time management and prioritizing. It can also teach strategies to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms and increase concentration, which results in more efficient and successful academic and work performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have co-existing conditions, particularly mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Before starting treatment for ADHD, it is important to treat any co-existing disorders. The treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types of medications and dosages than the medications that are used to treat ADHD.
A person suffering from ADHD can also have hypertension. Choosing a medication that treats the ADHD symptoms, but does not destabilize the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires knowledge of how different medications affect individuals over time and an understanding of the interactions between medications.
It is important to choose the right professional with whom you share a a good relationship, and who is experienced 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 have many difficulties in their lives, such as issues at work and in relationships. The person who has ADHD might be prone to anger, frustration and blame that have built up over time. A variety of psychosocial treatments have been proven to aid their families and patients learn new behaviors, skills, and ways of communicating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type psychotherapy that assists people in changing their thinking and behavior. It includes goal-setting, skills training and practice, as well as methods of teaching to improve organization and self-esteem. This can be done individually or in a group setting. Metacognitive therapy has been proven to significantly reduce symptoms in adults with ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson et al., 2002).
Some people with ADHD might also require counseling to help them overcome specific life issues. These may include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulty managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can help develop how to handle these situations, improve communication, and enhance problem-solving abilities. It can also help improve interpersonal relationships, particularly in long-term marriages or other relationships.
Family therapy and supportive group therapy are two other types of psychotherapy that could be used to treat ADHD. These can assist families to cope with the anxiety of having a child suffering from ADHD and help improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can also help parents recognize the symptoms and develop parenting styles that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
It is important for people suffering from ADHD to discuss their medications with their healthcare providers regularly, and to inform them of all other medications they're taking, including any over-the-counter medications. adhd untreated in adults can interact with certain medications or trigger side effects that are worsened by other medicines.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis, it is essential to monitor the patient's progress to ensure that he/she receives the benefits of the medication and does not experience side effects. It is recommended to consult patients for initial clinical assessment within 30 days of starting treatment and then every month thereafter. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this allows for a the gradual titration of an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response and helps avoid keeping sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
For adults who are unable to respond adequately to stimulant medication or experience uncontrollable side effects the use of nonstimulant medication could be recommended. Most often, this is the use of atomoxetine or other related methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults who suffer from ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring disorders like mood disorder or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. Moreover, they may have chronic sleep disturbances or medical problems such as vision and hearing disorders. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD it is essential to screen such conditions and evaluate their severity. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments in adults.
Marital therapy is also useful in the management of ADHD. Couples complain of being overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses suffering from ADHD, and can be angry or resentful due to this. Reducing resentment can be achieved by enhancing the patient's understanding of the condition, and assisting them to understand that the symptoms are not caused by a lack in love or willfulness. Couples who undergo this type of therapy usually experience improved family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is generally advised. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their organizational skills and focus, as well as control impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their work, home and social settings more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition affects various aspects of their lives and relationships. This helps reduce the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are often felt by adults with ADHD. They might be viewed by others as lazy or less intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders be akin to ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders and depression. The presence of any other psychiatric problems should be assessed, as appropriate, to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are linked to them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated using an amalgamation of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been shown that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is used results are more favorable than treatment on its own. Future controlled studies will aim to track and evaluate improvements in functional performance, for example, better functioning at school or at work, as well as interpersonal relations.