Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults who suffer from adhd are treated through medication, therapy, and family support. Clinical trials are being conducted to test new treatments for ADHD.
Stimulant medication is the most effective treatment for adults with ADHD. But they need to be closely monitored. This includes monthly clinical appointments and frequent examinations of symptoms.
Medicines
Numerous medications can be used to alleviate symptoms of ADHD among adults. These medications are called psychostimulants. They work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will choose a medication that's right for you and determine the best dose and schedule to take it. It may take some time to determine the proper dosage and medication that control your symptoms.
Stimulants are often the first medication doctors prescribe for adults with ADHD. These medications increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which increase your ability to focus and control impulses. The medications are available in short-, medium-- and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants last about 6 hours, intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours, and long-acting medications last for up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have less adverse effects than shorterand intermediate-acting medications, but they still cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant medications, like atomoxetine (Strattera) can be used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause unpleasant side consequences. These medicines do not affect your dopamine or norepinephrine levels however, they can increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine and improve your concentration. These medications are available in capsules and are taken twice or once every day.
Many people with ADHD may also suffer from other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression. These conditions are known as comorbidities, and they can affect how you respond to ADHD treatment. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbid issues. People who have a history of substance abuse disorders are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. This is why it's generally advised to wait until a person has removed themselves from using substances before evaluating treatment with stimulants for ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interactive method of discussing and discussing issues that may be disturbing or troubling for a person. The therapist gives advice based upon his or her education, experience, credentials and the philosophy of therapy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a couple of weeks or months) or addressing more immediate issues, or more long-term. The duration and frequency of treatment is determined by the patient and therapist together.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication together is a highly effective treatment for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help individuals improve their time management, organizational skills, and prioritizing. It can also teach strategies to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms, increase concentration and improve academic and work performance.
Adults suffering from ADHD have a higher risk of co-existing illnesses. This is particularly true for mood disorders like anxiety and depression. It is crucial that any co-existing conditions be treated prior to starting treatment for ADHD. The treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types of medication and doses than those prescribed to treat ADHD.
For instance, a patient who suffers from ADHD may also have hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms but doesn't alter the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires knowledge of how different medications affect people over time and an understanding of the interactions between different medications.
It's important to find the right professional with whom you share a good relations, and who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to schedule your first few sessions at times when you will not be distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD typically face a variety of problems in their lives, such as relationships and work issues. A person with ADHD may also experience frustration, anger adhd in adults characterization diagnosis and treatment and blame that has been accumulated over time. Several psychosocial treatments have been proven to help their families and patients learn new behaviors, skills, and ways of connecting.
Psychotherapy can also include cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy that assists individuals modify their thinking and behavior. 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. Certain studies have demonstrated that the use of metacognitive therapy can reduce symptoms and improve functioning for adults suffering from ADHD (Stevenson et al 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD require counseling to address specific issues. These issues could include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behavior, and difficulties in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help teach skills to manage these situations, improve communication and enhance problem-solving abilities. It can also help improve interpersonal relationships, especially in long-term marriages or other relationships.
Family therapy and supportive group therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that can be used to treat ADHD. These can assist families to cope with the anxiety of having a child with ADHD and develop skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. 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 doctor and disclose any other medications, including over the counter drugs. Certain medications can cause side effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis is established, it is crucial that the patient is monitored to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of medication and not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended to consult a patient for the initial medical monitoring within 30 days after starting treatment and every month after that. This allows for an accurate titration of psychostimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, to a well-tolerated and effective dose. This allows accurate registration of the patient's reaction and prevents the patient from being a sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
For adults who do not respond well to stimulant medication or experience uncontrollable side effects the use of nonstimulant medication could be recommended. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine or other alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults with ADHD typically suffer from comorbid disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. Moreover, they may have chronic sleep disorders or medical problems such as vision and hearing disorders. It is crucial to identify and evaluate such conditions in the initial assessment for ADHD since these can have significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. Spouses report feeling overburdened with the responsibilities of caring for their spouses suffering from ADHD and may be angry or resentful in response. Making the patient aware of the signs of their condition and helping them realize that these aren't impulsive actions or a lack of affection can help reduce marital tensions and resentment. Couples who undergo this kind of therapy tend to have better family functioning.
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 organizational skills, focus, and control impulsive behaviors. It helps patients learn to manage their social, work, and home situations more efficiently. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their disorder impacts different areas of their life and relationships. This can help decrease the self-doubt and shame that are often experienced by people with ADHD, who may be considered lazy or less intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders can mimic ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders and depression. The presence of other psychiatric problems should be assessed according to the need, to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are connected to them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated using the combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been demonstrated that the combination of psychotherapy and medication yields superior results over either treatment alone. Future controlled studies will aim to measure and assess the effects of functional improvement, like improvement in school performance as well as in the workplace and interpersonal relations.