Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults with adhd are treated through medication, therapy, and family support. Clinical trials are available to test new treatments for ADHD.
Stimulant medications are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. They require monitoring regularly. This includes monthly clinical appointments and regular review of symptoms.
Medicines
There are many medications that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are referred to as psychostimulants. they alter the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will recommend the right medication for you and will decide the most appropriate dosage and time to take it. It may take some time to find the right dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.
Stimulants are usually the first prescribed medication by doctors to adults suffering from ADHD. They increase the amount of dopamine found in your brain and norepinephrine which allows you to manage your impulses and focus. They are available in short-, intermediateand long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last around 6 hours, intermediate-acting medicines last between 8 and 10 hours, while long-acting medicines last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause adverse reactions than shorter- or intermediate-acting medicines. However, they can cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine, (Strattera), are used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants don't perform or cause unwanted side effects. These medicines do not affect your dopamine or norepinephrine however they increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain and increase your ability to focus. These medications are available in capsule form and are taken either twice or three times each day.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD may also suffer from other psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. These conditions are referred to as comorbidities, and they can affect how you respond to ADHD treatment. Before starting treatment for ADHD, it's important to address any comorbidities. how to treat adhd who have a history of addiction to drugs are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. This is why it's generally advised to wait until the patient has stopped using substances before considering treatment with stimulants for ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves discussing and discussing issues that cause anxiety or are disturbing for a person. The therapist listens to the person and provides advice based on their education, training, experience professional credentials and therapeutic philosophical philosophies. Psychotherapy may 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 person is attempting to resolve more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of the treatment are determined by the therapist and patient together.
The use of psychotherapy and medications together is an extremely effective treatment option for adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy helps people improve their ability to manage their time, organize and prioritizing; it can also teach methods for managing emotions such as anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms, improve focus and lead to better work and academic performance.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to be affected by co-existing disorders, including mood disorders like depression and anxiety. It is crucial that any co-existing conditions be addressed prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. The treatment of co-existing conditions could require different types of medications and dosages than the medications that are used to treat ADHD.
A person with ADHD may also suffer from hypertension. Selecting a medication that addresses the ADHD symptoms but does not alter the patient's hypertension that is controlled requires knowledge of how various medications affect individuals over time and an understanding of the interactions between medications.
It is essential to find the right therapist with whom you have an excellent relationship and who has experience treating adults with ADHD. It is crucial to schedule your first few sessions at a time when you will not be distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have many problems in their lives, such as work and relationship problems. The person who has ADHD might also experience frustration, anger and guilt that has been accumulated over time. Several psychosocial treatments have been proven to aid their families and patients learn new skills, attitudes and ways of relating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people alter their habits and thoughts. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, and teaching strategies for improving organization and self-esteem. It may be done in individual or group sessions. Metacognitive therapy has proven to significantly reduce symptoms in adults with ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson et al., 2002).
Some people with ADHD may also require therapy to help them overcome certain life issues. These may include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behaviors, or difficulty managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can teach the skills to manage these situations, improve communication and increase problem-solving capabilities. It can also help improve relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Family therapy and supportive group therapy are two other types of psychotherapy that could be used to treat ADHD. These therapies can assist families in coping and improve their skills to manage conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child who has ADHD. It also helps parents understand the disorder and develop parenting strategies that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their doctors and inform them of any other medications, including over-the counter drugs. Some medications can cause adverse reactions or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis is made, it is essential to monitor the patient to ensure that he or she is receiving the benefits of the medication and not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended that patients be examined for a first clinical examination within 30 days of initiating treatment and monthly afterward. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) 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 assists in avoiding having sensitive patients remain on doses that are not sufficient (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses onto excessively high levels (rapid metabolizers).
For adults who are unable to respond adequately to stimulant medication or suffer from uncontrollable side effects, the use of nonstimulant medications could be recommended. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine or other alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults who suffer from ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring disorders like mood disorder or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. They may also suffer from medical issues like hearing and vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD, it is important to screen for these conditions and then evaluate their severity. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments in adults.
Marital therapy is also useful in managing ADHD. Spouses report feeling overburdened with the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses suffering from ADHD, and can be angry or resentful due to this. The way to reduce resentment is by increasing the patient's awareness of their condition, and helping them understand that the symptoms aren't due to an absence of affection or willfulness. Couples who go through this type of therapy tend to be more functional as a family.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD is usually suggested. It should include a cognitive and behavioral component. how to treat adhd helps patients improve their focus, organization skills and control their impulsive behaviors. It helps patients manage their work, home, and social situations in more productive ways. Psychotherapy also helps patients understand how their disorder affects various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help reduce the self-doubt and shame that is commonly seen in those with ADHD who are considered inept or unintelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders may mimic ADHD symptoms. For instance anxiety disorders are found at a high rate in adult ADHD patients and depression is observed at increased levels in those suffering from the disorder. The presence of other mental health issues should be analyzed according to the need, to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are connected to them.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated with a combination of pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy. It has been shown that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is employed the results are superior than treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies will try to track and evaluate improvements in functional performance, for example, improved functioning in school, the workplace, and interpersonal relations.