Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adults with adhd includes therapy, medication and support from family members. Patients can also take part in clinical trials to try new methods of treating ADHD.
The stimulant medications are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. However, they must be constantly monitored. This means monthly appointments with a doctor and regular examinations of symptoms.
Medicines
Numerous medications can be used to treat the symptoms of ADHD among adults. They are referred to as psychostimulants. they alter the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) which transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will select the right medication for you and will decide 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 often the first prescription medication doctors recommend for adults suffering from ADHD. They increase the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in your brain, which enhances your ability to concentrate and manage impulses. They are available in short-, intermediateand long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last for about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medications last between 8 and 10 hours, and long-acting medications last for up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely cause adverse effects than intermediate or shorter-acting medications. However, they may still cause sleepiness and change in appetite.
Nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine, (Strattera), are used to treat adult ADHD if stimulants do not work or cause unwanted side effects. These medications do not alter your dopamine or norepinephrine levels, but they increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine, which improves your concentration. These capsules are taken once or twice daily.
Some adults with ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. These are known as comorbid disorders and they can impact how you respond to treatment for ADHD. It's important to treat any comorbidities prior to starting treatment for ADHD. For instance, those who have a history of substance use disorder may be more likely to misuse psychostimulants. This is why it is generally recommended to wait until the person has quit using substances before considering treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a method of therapy that involves talking and discussing topics that cause anxiety or are disturbing to the person. The therapist listens and provides advice based on his or her training, education as well as experience professional credentials and therapeutic theories. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with more immediate challenges or longer-term (months or years) where a person is attempting to resolve more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of therapy are determined by the therapist and patient together.
Psychotherapy and medication are an extremely effective way to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy helps people improve their abilities to organize their lives, manage their time and prioritizing. It can also teach methods for managing emotions like anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and increase focus, leading to more efficient and successful work and academic performance.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to have co-existing conditions, particularly mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Before starting treating add for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing condition. The treatment of co-existing conditions could require different types of medications and dosages compared to the ones that are used to treat ADHD.
A person suffering from ADHD may also be suffering from hypertension. To pick a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms without causing destabilization of the patient's hypertension it is essential to understand how different medications affect people over time and the interactions between medications.
It's crucial to choose a therapist with experience treating adults with ADHD and with whom you feel comfortable. It is important to schedule your first few sessions at times when you will not be distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD typically face a variety of problems in their lives, such as work and relationship problems. A person with ADHD may also experience frustration, anger and guilt that has built up over time. Psychosocial therapies can aid patients and their families develop new abilities, attitudes and ways of communicating.
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, and teaching strategies to increase self-esteem and organizational skills. It can be done in a private or in a group. Metacognitive therapy has been proven to significantly reduce symptoms among adults with ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson, et al. 2002).
Some people with ADHD might also require counseling to help them overcome certain issues in their lives. These may include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulties coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help teach how to handle these situations, improve communication, and increase problem-solving capabilities. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, especially in marriages and 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 stress of having a child suffering from ADHD and help improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can assist parents understand the condition, and develop parenting techniques that encourage positive results in their children.
It is important for people with ADHD to discuss their medication with their health care providers regularly, and to inform them of all other medications they are taking, including prescription drugs. Some medications can cause adverse effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis is established, it is essential that the patient is monitored to ensure that they are receiving the benefits of the medication and not experiencing side effects. It is recommended to consult a patient for the initial medical monitoring within 30 days of beginning treatment, and then every month after that. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines, methylphenidate) this allows for a complete titration to an effective dose that is well-tolerated. This allows for a precise registration of the patient's response and assists in avoiding having sensitive patients remain on insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses to excessively high levels (rapid metabolizers).
Adults who are not responding well to stimulant medication or have adverse effects that are unpalatable might benefit from non-stimulant drugs. This is usually the case with atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults with ADHD are usually affected by comorbid disorders like depression or drug abuse. They may also have medical problems like hearing and vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial evaluation for ADHD it is essential to identify for these conditions and then evaluate them. These conditions could have a significant impact on functional impairments in adults.
Marital therapy can also be beneficial in the management of ADHD. Spouses report feeling overburdened with the caretaking duties of their spouses who suffer from ADHD, and can become resentful or angry in response. Increasing the patient's awareness of the symptoms of his/her condition and helping them realize that these aren't willful actions or lack of affection can help reduce marital conflict and resentment. Couples who undergo this type of therapy are more likely to have better functioning families.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD is typically suggested. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy helps patients improve their organization skills, focus and control their impulsive behaviors. It helps patients manage their work, social, and home situations more efficiently. Psychotherapy helps patients to understand how their condition affects different areas of their life and relationships. This can reduce the shame and low-esteem that are often felt by adults with ADHD. They might be perceived by others as being lazy or unintelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by many mental disorders. For instance anxiety disorders are seen at high rates in adults ADHD patients and depression is seen at increased levels in those suffering from the disorder. The presence of any other psychiatric problems should be evaluated according to the need, to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are connected to them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been demonstrated that the combination of psychotherapy with medication can produce better results than either therapy alone. Future controlled studies will aim to monitor and evaluate functional improvements, such as improvement in school performance, the workplace, and interpersonal relations.