Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adults with adhd focuses on medication, therapy and support from family members. Clinical trials are available to test the effectiveness of new treatments for ADHD.
Stimulant medication is the most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. They need to be monitored regularly. That includes monthly clinical appointments as well as frequent reviews of symptoms and side effects.
Medicines
There are many drugs that can help to 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 cells. Your doctor will choose the best medication for you and determine the most appropriate dosage and time to take it. It could take some time to find the right dosage and medication to control your symptoms.
Stimulants are typically the first medication doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD. They increase the amount of dopamine in your brain, and also norepinephrine which aids in controlling your thoughts and focus. The medications are available in short-, medium- and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants can last for up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours. Long-acting drugs last up to 16. Long-acting stimulants are less likely cause adverse effects than intermediate or shorter-acting medicines. However, they may cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
full report like atomoxetine, (Strattera), are used to treat adult ADHD in cases where stimulants don't perform or cause undesirable adverse effects. These medicines don't affect the levels of norepinephrine or dopamine 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.
Some adults with ADHD also have other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression. These conditions are known as comorbidities, and they can influence how you respond to ADHD treatment. It is important to address any comorbid disorders prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. Patients with a history of addiction to drugs are 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 interaction process of discussing and talking about issues that could be troubling or troubling for a person. The therapist provides guidance on the basis of his or her education, experience, credentials, and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term, (a few weeks or even months) and can address more immediate issues, or long-term. The therapist and patient decide on the duration and frequency of therapy.
The use of psychotherapy and medications together is an extremely effective treatment option for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy helps people improve their abilities to organize their lives, manage their time and prioritizing. It can also teach methods to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and increase focus, which leads to more effective and efficient academic and work.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely of co-existing illnesses. This is especially true for mood disorders like anxiety and depression. It is important that any co-existing condition be treated before beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different types and doses of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
A person suffering from ADHD may also be suffering from hypertension. To select a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without destabilizing the patient's hypertension, it is important to know how different medications affect individuals in the course of time, as well as the interactions between medications.
It's important to find a therapy provider with whom you have a a good relationship, and who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. It's important to schedule your initial sessions at a time that you will not be distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD have many difficulties in their lives, including problems at work and with relationships. A person with ADHD may also experience frustration, anger and blame that has been accumulated over time. A variety of psychosocial treatments have been proven to help 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 involves goal-setting, skill training and practice, as well as methods to help increase self-esteem and organizational skills. It can be done in a private or in a group setting. A few studies have proven that metacognitive treatment can significantly reduce symptoms and improve performance in adults with ADHD (Stevenson and colleagues 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD also need counseling to address specific life challenges. These challenges may include family conflicts, aggressive or impulsive behaviors, or difficulty in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can teach skills to help deal with these situations and increase communication and problem-solving skills. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, especially in long-term marriages or other partnerships.
Other forms 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 who has ADHD and teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can assist parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting methods that encourage positive outcomes in their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD must discuss their medication regularly with their physicians and also disclose any other medications, such as over-the counter drugs. Some medications can cause side effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough assessment and diagnosis, it is essential to monitor the patient to ensure that he/she reaps the benefits of the medication and doesn't suffer from side effects. It is recommended that patients be examined for an initial medical check-up within 30 days of beginning treatment, and every month thereafter. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines, methylphenidate) this allows for a thorough titration to an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response. It also assists in avoiding having sensitive patients remain on insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses on unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
For adults who are not responding well to stimulant medication or experience uncontrollable side effects the use of nonstimulant medication might be suggested. This is usually the case with the methylphenidate based atomoxetine alternatives.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are often affected by comorbid conditions, like depression or substance abuse. They may also have medical problems like hearing and vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. It is essential to identify and evaluate such conditions as part of the initial evaluation for ADHD because they can have a significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be controlled through marital therapy. Couples often say that they feel overburdened by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses who have ADHD and can become resentful and angry as a result. Reduced resentment can be achieved by increasing the patient's understanding of his/her condition, and assisting them to realize that the symptoms aren't caused by a lack in affection or willfulness. Couples who go through this type of therapy generally experience a better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is usually recommended. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy assists patients in improving their organization skills, focus and control their impulsive behaviors. It teaches patients to manage their home, work and social settings more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help alleviate the shame and low self-esteem that is often seen in adults with ADHD, who may be considered lazy or less intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by various psychiatric disorders. For instance, anxiety disorders occur at a higher rate in adult ADHD patients and depression is observed at increased levels in people suffering from the disorder. The presence of any other psychiatric issues should be analyzed, as appropriate, to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are linked to them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is typically recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been established that a combination of psychotherapy and medication yields better results than either therapy by itself. Future controlled medication studies will attempt to measure and assess functional improvements, such as improvement in school performance or at work, as well as interpersonal relationships.