Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults with adhd are treated by therapy, medication and support from family members. Individuals can also take part in clinical trials that test new approaches to treating ADHD.
Stimulant medication is the most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. But they need to be constantly monitored. This includes regular appointments with a physician and regular examinations of symptoms.
Medicines
There are many medications that can help 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 the right medication for you and will determine the most effective dose and time to take it. It could take some time to find the right medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.
Stimulants are often the first prescription medication doctors recommend for adults suffering from ADHD. These medicines increase the amounts of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which improve your ability to focus and control impulses. They are available in short-, intermediate-and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants can last up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours. Long-acting drugs can last up to 16. Long-acting stimulants have fewer negative effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting medicines, but they still cause insomnia and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera), can be used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unwanted adverse consequences. These medicines do not affect your dopamine or norepinephrine levels however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine and improve your ability to concentrate. These capsules are consumed once or twice a day.
Some adults with ADHD also have other psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. These are known as comorbid disorders and can affect how you react to treatment for ADHD. It's important to treat any comorbid disorders prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. For instance, those who have an history of using substances disorder may be more likely to use psychostimulants. It is recommended to wait until someone has quit using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process that involves discussing and talking about topics that are troubling or disturbing for a person. The therapist offers guidance in accordance with their education, experience, credentials and the therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term, (a few weeks or months) or addressing more immediate issues, or longer-term. The duration and frequency of the treatment are determined by the patient and therapist together.
The use of psychotherapy and medications together is an extremely effective treatment option for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy helps people improve their organizational skills, time management and prioritizing. It can also teach strategies for managing emotions such as anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and improve concentration, which results in more effective and efficient work and academic performance.
Adults suffering from ADHD have a higher likelihood of co-existing conditions. This is particularly relevant for mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is essential to treat any co-existing disorders. The treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types of medication and doses than the medications that are used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a person with ADHD could also be suffering from hypertension. Choosing a medication that treats the ADHD symptoms but does not affect the patient's hypertension that is controlled requires knowledge of how different medications affect individuals over time and an understanding of the interactions between different medications.
It's crucial to find a therapist who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD and with whom you feel at ease. It is also crucial to schedule your first few sessions when you won't be distracted by family responsibilities or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD face a variety of challenges in their lives, such as difficulties at work and with relationships. The person who has ADHD might also experience frustration, anger and blame that has developed over time. Several psychosocial treatments have been proven to help them and their families develop new skills, attitudes and ways of relating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people change their thinking and behavior. It involves setting goals, training and the practice of skills, as well as teaching strategies for improving self-esteem and organization. It can be carried out in individual or group sessions. A few studies have proven that treatment for metacognitive disorders can reduce symptoms and improve functioning for adults suffering from ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also require counseling to address specific challenges. These challenges may include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behavior, and difficulties in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help you develop the skills to help manage these situations and improve communication and problem-solving skills. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Family therapy and supportive group therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that can be utilized to treat ADHD. These can help families cope with the anxiety of having a child suffering from ADHD, as well as teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can aid parents to understand the disorder, and develop parenting techniques that promote positive outcomes for their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their doctors and also disclose any other medications, including over the counter drugs. Certain medications can cause adverse reactions or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis is made, it is important that the patient is monitored to ensure that he or she is receiving the benefits of medication and not experiencing any adverse side effects. It is recommended that a patient be seen for initial clinical monitoring within 30 days of initiating treatment, and every month afterward. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines, methylphenidate) this allows for a the gradual titration of an effective dose that is well-tolerated. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response and helps to avoid keeping sensitive patients on insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses onto 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 is usually the case with atomoxetine or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults with ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. In addition, they may experience chronic sleep disturbances or medical problems such as hearing and vision disorders. It is crucial to identify and evaluate such conditions as part of the initial evaluation for ADHD because they can have a significant impact on functional impairment in adults.
Marital therapy can be helpful in managing ADHD. spouses feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses with ADHD, and can become resentful or angry in response. Reducing resentment can be achieved by increasing the patient's awareness of their condition, and helping them understand that the symptoms aren't caused by a lack in love or willfulness. Couples who go through this type of therapy are more likely to be more functional as a family.
Behavioral Therapy
For adults with ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate an element of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy assists patients in improving their organization skills, focus and control their impulsive behaviors. It helps patients manage their work, home and social interactions in more productive ways. Psychotherapy helps patients to understand how their disorder impacts various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can reduce the stigma and feelings of shame that are often seen among people with ADHD. They might be perceived by others as being lazy or inexperienced.
Many psychiatric disorders may mimic ADHD symptoms. For instance anxiety disorders are found at high rates in adult ADHD patients, and depression is found at increased levels in those suffering from the disorder. adult adhd treatments of any other psychiatric problems should be assessed in order to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are linked to them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is typically recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been demonstrated that a combination of psychotherapy and medication can produce better results than either therapy on its own. Future controlled medication studies should aim to track and measure functional improvements such as improved functioning at school, workplace, and interpersonal relationships.