Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adhd in adults includes therapy, medication and support from family members. Clinical trials are available to test the effectiveness of new treatments for ADHD.
Adults with ADHD are most likely to benefit from stimulant medications. But they need to be closely monitored. This includes regular appointments with a physician and frequent review of symptoms.
Medicines
There are many drugs that can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are referred to as psychostimulants. They work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will select the best medication for you and determine the most effective dose and time to take it. It may take a while to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that is able to control your symptoms.
Stimulants are typically the first medication doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD. These medications increase the amount of dopamine found in your brain, and also norepinephrine which helps you to control your impulses and focus. These medicines are available in short-, medium-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last around 6 hours, intermediate-acting medicines last 8-10 hours, and long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause side effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medicines, but they still cause insomnia and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine, (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD in cases where stimulants don't perform or cause undesirable side effects. These medications don't alter your dopamine or norepinephrine, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain, and improve your ability to focus. These capsules are taken once or two times a day.
Some adults with ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. These disorders are referred to as comorbidities and may influence how you respond to ADHD treatment. It's important to treat any comorbid conditions before starting treatment for ADHD. People who have a history of substance abuse disorder are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. For this reason, it's often advisable to wait until a person has removed themselves from using substances before evaluating treatment with stimulants for ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process of discussing and talking about things that can be troubling or troubling to a person. The therapist listens to the person and provides guidance based on his or her training, education, experience, professional credentials and therapeutic philosophies. Psychotherapy could be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with more immediate challenges, or long-term (months or years) in which a person is attempting to resolve more complex and long-standing issues. The therapist and the patient determine the duration and frequency of treatment.
Psychotherapy and medication together are an extremely effective way to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their organizational skills, time management and prioritizing. It can also teach techniques for managing emotions like anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms and improve focus, which leads to more efficient and successful work and academic 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 essential that any co-existing disorders be treated prior to starting treatment for ADHD. The treatment of co-existing conditions could require different types of medications and dosages compared to the medications prescribed to treat ADHD.
A person with ADHD can also have hypertension. To select a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing instability to the patient's hypertension it is crucial to know how different medications affect people over time and the interactions between medications.
It's important that you find a therapist who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD and with whom you feel at ease. It's also important to arrange your first few sessions when you aren't distracted by family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD face a variety of challenges in their lives, such as issues in their relationships and at work. A person with ADHD may also experience frustration, anger and guilt that has built up over time. A variety of psychosocial treatments have been proven to help them and their families learn new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating.
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, and teaching strategies to improve organization and self-esteem. It may be done in groups or individually. A few studies have proven that metacognitive treatment can significantly reduce symptoms and improve performance for adults suffering from ADHD (Stevenson and colleagues 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD also require counseling to deal with specific life challenges. These could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulties dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can teach the how to handle these situations, improve communication, and improve problem-solving skills. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, particularly in long-term marriages or other partnerships.
Family therapy and support groups therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that can be used to treat ADHD. These can help families deal with the stress of having a child who has ADHD, as well as teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can also assist parents to learn about the disorder and develop parenting techniques that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their physicians and also disclose any other medications, such as over-the drug products. Some medications can cause side effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis is made it is crucial to monitor the patient to ensure that he or she is receiving the benefits of the medication and is not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended that a patient be seen for an initial medical check-up within 30 days of starting treatment, and every month thereafter. This permits an accurate adjustment of psychostimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamines to a well-tolerated, effective dose. This permits accurate recording of the patient's response and adhd symptoms adults treatment helps to avoid keeping sensitive patients on insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses to excessively high levels (rapid metabolizers).
For adults who do not respond well to stimulant medication or have intolerable side effects the use of non-stimulant drugs might be suggested. This usually involves the use atomoxetine or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically suffer from comorbid disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. Additionally, they may suffer from persistent sleep disturbances or medical problems such as hearing and vision problems. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD it is essential to identify for these conditions and then evaluate their severity. These conditions can have a significant impact on functional impairments in adults.
ADHD can also be controlled through marital therapy. Spouses often report that they are overwhelmed by the responsibilities to care for their spouses with ADHD and can become resentful and angry in the process. Reduced resentment can be achieved by enhancing the patient's understanding of the condition, and assisting them to realize that the symptoms aren't the result of an absence of love or willfulness. Couples who undergo this type of therapy usually experience improved family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is generally recommended. It should include a cognitive and behavioral component. Behavioral therapy assists patients in improving their organizational skills, focus and manage impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their work, social and home environments more effectively. Psychotherapy can also help patients understand how their disorder affects various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help decrease the shame and low self-esteem that are often experienced by those with ADHD who are considered lazy or less intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by many psychiatric disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety. If it is necessary the presence of any other psychiatric disorders should be evaluated to determine whether ADHD symptoms are a result of them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been demonstrated that when a combination of medication and psychotherapy is used, the results are better than either treatment alone. Future controlled medication studies will attempt to monitor and evaluate the effects of functional improvement, like improved functioning in school as well as in the workplace and interpersonal relations.