Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults suffering from adhd are treated through therapy, medication and support from the family. People can also participate in clinical trials to test new approaches to treating ADHD.
Stimulant medications are the most effective drugs for adults with ADHD. But they need to be constantly monitored. That includes monthly clinical appointments, and frequent reviews of side effects and symptoms.
Medicines
There are many medications that can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are referred to as psychostimulants, and they work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will select the most appropriate medication for your needs and will determine the most effective dosage and timetable. It may take a while to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that is able to control your symptoms.
The first drug that doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. They increase the amount of dopamine found in your brain and norepinephrine which aids in controlling your impulses and improve your focus. They are available in short-, intermediate-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants can last for 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours. Long-acting stimulants last from 8 to 16. Long-acting stimulants have less negative effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting medicines, but they still cause insomnia and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant medications, like atomoxetine (Strattera) can be used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause undesirable adverse side effects. These medications don't affect your dopamine or norepinephrine levels however they do increase the brain's supply of norepinephrine. They also improve your ability to concentrate. These medications are in capsules and are taken twice or once every day.
Some adults with ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression. These are known as comorbid disorders and they can impact how you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbidities. For instance, people who have a history of substance use disorder are more likely to use psychostimulants. For this reason, 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 talking about topics that cause anxiety or are disturbing for a person. The therapist provides guidance based upon his or her qualifications, experience, training and the therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues, or long-term (months or years) in which a patient is attempting to resolve more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of treatment are determined by the therapist and the patient together.
Psychotherapy and medication are an extremely effective way to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can assist people improve their time management, organizational skills and prioritizing. It can also teach methods to manage emotions such as anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms, improve focus and lead to better work and academic performance.
treatments for add suffering from ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing conditions, particularly mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing conditions. The treatment of co-existing conditions might require different kinds of medications and dosages than the ones used to treat ADHD.
A person suffering from ADHD can also have hypertension. To choose a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing destabilization of the patient's hypertension, it is important to understand how various medications affect individuals in the course of time, as well as the interactions between the medications.
It's crucial to find a therapist who has experience treating adults with ADHD and with whom you are comfortable. It is crucial to schedule your first few sessions at a time when you will not be distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD often face many life challenges, including relationships and work issues. They also may experience frustration, blame and anger that have built up in their lives because of their symptoms. Psychosocial therapies can aid patients and their families develop new skills, attitudes and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals change their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, skill training and practice, as well as teaching strategies to improve organization and self-esteem. This can be done individually or in a group. Metacognitive therapy has been proven to significantly reduce symptoms in adults with ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson and colleagues. 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD also need counseling to deal with specific life challenges. These issues could include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, or difficulty in dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can teach techniques to manage these situations and improve communication and problem-solving abilities. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, especially in marriages or other long-term partnerships.
Other forms of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy as well as supportive group therapy. These can help families cope with the anxiety of having a child who has ADHD and teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can assist parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting methods that encourage positive results in their children.
It is important for people with ADHD to discuss their medication with their health care professionals regularly, and to reveal any other medications they're taking, including any over-the-counter medications. Certain medications may interact with certain medications or trigger adverse effects that are exacerbated by other medicines.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis, it is crucial to monitor the patient's progress to ensure that he/she receives the benefits of the medication and does not suffer from side adverse effects. It is recommended to see a patient for the initial clinical assessment within 30 days of beginning treatment, and then every month thereafter. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this enables thorough titration to an effective dose that is well-tolerated. This permits accurate recording of the patient's response and assists in avoiding keeping sensitive patients on doses that are not sufficient (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses to unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
For adults who are not responding well to stimulant medication or have intolerable side effects the use of nonstimulant medications could be recommended. This is usually the case with atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring disorders like mood disorder or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. They may also suffer from medical problems like hearing and vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD it is essential to identify these conditions and assess them. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments in adults.
Marital therapy can be helpful in the treatment of ADHD. Couples often say that they feel overburdened by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses with ADHD and may become resentful and angry due to this. Reduced resentment can be achieved by enhancing the patient's awareness of their condition, and assisting them to understand that the symptoms aren't caused by a lack in willfulness or love. Couples who undergo this kind of therapy tend to be more functional as a family.
Behavioral Therapy
For people who suffer from ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include the cognitive-behavioral aspect. Behavioral therapy helps patients improve their organization skills, focus, and control impulsive behaviors. It helps patients learn to manage their social, work, and home situations more efficiently. Psychotherapy assists patients in understanding how their condition impacts different areas of their life and relationships. This can help decrease the shame and low self-esteem that is commonly seen in those with ADHD who are thought of as lazy or less intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by many mental disorders. For instance anxiety disorders are seen at a higher rate in adults ADHD patients and depression is seen at higher levels in adults with the disorder. The presence of any other psychiatric issues should be analyzed according to the need, to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are connected to them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is typically recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been established that the combination of psychotherapy with medication produces better results than either treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies will attempt to measure and assess functional improvements, such as better functioning at school as well as in the workplace and interpersonal relations.