Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults suffering from adhd are treated with therapy, medication and support from family members. Patients can also take part in clinical trials to try new methods of treating ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are most likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. They need to be monitored regularly. This includes regular appointments with a physician and regular review of symptoms.
Medicines
Numerous medications can be used to alleviate the symptoms of ADHD among adults. These are called psychostimulants and they work by changing the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) which transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will select the appropriate medication for you, and determine the best dosage and schedule. It could take some time to find the right dosage and medication that is able to control your symptoms.
The first drug that doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. These medicines increase the amounts of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which improve your ability to focus and control impulses. These medications are available in short-, mediumand 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 adverse effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medications, but they can still cause an increase in appetite and sleepiness.
Nonstimulant medications, like atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medicines do not affect your dopamine or norepinephrine levels, but they increase the brain's supply of norepinephrine and improve your focus. These medicines come in capsules and are taken twice or once every day.
Some adults with ADHD also have other psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. These disorders are referred to as comorbidities and can affect how you respond to ADHD treatment. Before beginning treatment for ADHD, it's important to address any comorbidities. People with a history substance abuse disorder are more likely to use psychostimulants. This is why it's often advisable to wait until the person has stopped using substances before considering treatment with stimulants for ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a method of therapy that involves discussing and talking about topics that are troubling or disturbing for a person. The therapist provides guidance based upon his or her education, experience, credentials and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with issues that are more immediate or more long-term (months or years) in which a patient is working on more complicated and longstanding issues. The duration and frequency of treatment is decided by the patient and therapist 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 techniques for managing emotions like anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and improve focus, leading to more productive and effective academic and work performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a higher likelihood of co-existing illnesses. This is especially relevant for mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. It is important that any co-existing condition be addressed prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types and dosages of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a person with ADHD might also be suffering from hypertension. To select a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing destabilization of the hypertension of the patient it is crucial to understand how different medications affect people over time as well as the interactions between medications.
It's crucial to choose a therapist with expertise in treating adults with ADHD and with whom you are comfortable. It is important to schedule your first few sessions at times when you won't be distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD have many difficulties in their lives, including difficulties at work and with relationships. They may also feel anger, blame and frustration that have accumulated in their lives because of their symptoms. Psychosocial therapies can help patients and their families develop new attitudes, skills, and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy can also include cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a type of psychotherapy that assists individuals change their behavior and thinking. treating adults with adhd includes goal-setting, skill training and practice, and methods of teaching to improve self-esteem and organization. It can be conducted in individual or group sessions. Metacognitive therapy has proven to significantly reduce symptoms in adults suffering from ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson et al., 2002).
Some people with ADHD might also require counseling to help them overcome particular life issues. These could include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behavior, or difficulty managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can teach strategies to help manage these situations and improve communication and problem-solving skills. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, particularly in long-term marriages or other relationships.
Family therapy and supportive groups therapy are two other types of psychotherapy that could be used to treat ADHD. These therapies can help families cope and improve their skills to manage conflict and improve communication when dealing with children who have ADHD. It can also assist parents to recognize the symptoms and develop parenting techniques that promote positive outcomes for their children.
Adults with ADHD must discuss their medication regularly with their physicians and also disclose any other medications, such as over-the drug products. Certain medications can cause side effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis is made, it is essential that the patient be monitored to ensure that he or she is receiving the benefits of the medication and not experiencing side effects. It is recommended to see the patient for the initial clinical monitoring within 30days of beginning treatment, and then every month following that. This will allow for a thorough adjustment of psychostimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, to a well-tolerated and effective dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patients' response and helps avoid keeping patients who are sensitive to doses that are too low.
Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medication or have unwanted side effects that are difficult to tolerate could benefit from non-stimulant medications. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine, or other related alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults with ADHD are often affected by comorbid disorders, like depression or drug abuse. They may also suffer from 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 assessment for ADHD because they could have a significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be controlled through marital therapy. Couples often say that they feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses who have ADHD and may become resentful and angry as a result. Reduced resentment can be achieved by enhancing the understanding of the condition, and assisting them to understand that the symptoms are not due to an absence of willfulness or love. Couples who undergo this type of therapy generally experience a better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is generally advised. It should include a cognitive and behavioral component. Behavioral therapy assists patients in learning to improve their ability to organize their lives and focus, as well as control impulsive behavior. It helps patients learn to manage their social, work, and home situations more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their disorder affects various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help reduce the shame and low-esteem that are commonly seen in adults with ADHD. They could be viewed by others as being lazy or less intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders be akin to ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. If necessary, the presence of other mental disorders should be analyzed to determine if ADHD symptoms are caused by them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is typically recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been demonstrated that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is employed, the results are better than treatment on its own. Future controlled studies will aim to monitor and evaluate functional improvements, such as improvement in school performance or at work, as well as interpersonal relations.