Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults with adhd are treated with therapy, medication and support from family members. Patients can also take part in clinical trials to test new ways of treating ADHD.
Adults with ADHD are most likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. They require monitoring regularly. This includes monthly clinical appointments and regular examinations of symptoms.
Medicines
There are many drugs that can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are known as psychostimulants. They function by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will choose the right medication for you and determine the best dose and schedule to take it. treat adhd in adults could take some time to find the right dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.
The first drug that doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. They increase the amount of dopamine found in your brain and norepinephrine which aids in controlling your thoughts and improve your focus. They come in short-, intermediate- and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants can last for 6 hours. Intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours. Long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer negative effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medications, but they can still cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants don't perform or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medicines don't affect the levels of norepinephrine or dopamine, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain, and improve your ability to focus. These medicines come in capsules and are taken either twice or three times a day.
Some adults with ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, including depression and anxiety. These disorders are referred to as comorbidities and may affect how you respond to ADHD treatment. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbidities. For instance, those who have an history of using substances disorder may be more likely to abuse psychostimulants. This is why it's generally advised to wait until the patient has quit using substances before considering treatment with stimulants for ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interactive process of talking and discussing things that can be troubling or troubling for a person. The therapist provides guidance in accordance with their qualifications, experience, training, and the philosophy of therapy. Psychotherapy can be short-term, (a few weeks or months) and can address more immediate issues, or more long-term. The duration and frequency of the treatment is determined by the therapist and patient together.
The use of psychotherapy and drugs 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 techniques to manage emotions like anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and increase focus, which leads to more efficient and successful academic and work.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing conditions, particularly mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. It is important that any co-existing disorders be addressed prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different forms and dosages of medication than the ones used to treat ADHD.
A person who suffers from ADHD may also be suffering from hypertension. Selecting a medication that addresses the ADHD symptoms, but does not alter the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires understanding how different medications affect people over time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between various medications.
It's crucial to find a therapist who has experience treating adults with ADHD and with whom you are at ease. It's also important to arrange your first few sessions when you won't be distracted by your family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD often have many life challenges, including work and relationship problems. They also may experience anger, blame, and frustration that have built up in their lives due to their symptoms. Psychosocial therapies can help patients and their families develop new abilities, attitudes and ways of communicating.
Psychotherapy can include cognitive behavior therapy, a form of psychotherapy that assists individuals change their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, as well as strategies for teaching that help improve self-esteem and organizational skills. It can be conducted in groups or individually. Some studies have shown that treatment for metacognitive disorders can reduce symptoms and improve performance in adults with ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors 2002).
Some people suffering from ADHD may also require counseling to help them overcome specific life issues. These issues could include family conflicts, aggressive or impulsive behavior, and difficulties in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help develop skills to help deal with these situations and increase communication and problem-solving skills. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, particularly in long-term marriages or other relationships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy and supportive group therapy. These therapies can assist families in coping and develop skills to lessen conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child who has ADHD. It can assist parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting methods that encourage positive outcomes in their children.
It is essential for adults with ADHD to discuss their medication with their health care providers regularly, and to reveal all other medications they're taking, including over-the-counter drugs. Some medications can cause adverse effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis is made it is important that the patient be monitored to ensure that they are receiving the benefits of the medication and is not experiencing side effects. It is recommended that patients be seen for initial clinical monitoring within 30 days of initiating treatment and monthly thereafter. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines) this enables the gradual titration of an effective and well-tolerated dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's reaction 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).
Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medications or have side effects that are intolerable might benefit from non-stimulant drugs. Most often, this is the use of atomoxetine or other alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults with ADHD often have comorbid 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. It is essential to identify and assess these conditions in the initial evaluation for ADHD because they can have a significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
Marital therapy is also useful in the treatment of ADHD. Spouses often report that they feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses with ADHD and may become resentful and angry due to this. Increasing the patient's awareness of the signs of their condition and helping them understand that these are not willful actions or lack of affection can help reduce marital tensions and resentment. Couples who go through this kind of therapy tend to have better functioning families.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is typically recommended. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy assists patients in improving their organization skills, focus and control their impulsive behaviors. It helps patients manage their social, work and home life more efficiently. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition impacts different areas of their life and relationships. This can help reduce the self-doubt and shame that is often seen in adults with ADHD who are thought of as inept or unintelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders mimic ADHD symptoms. For example, anxiety disorders occur at a higher rate in adults ADHD patients and depression is observed at increased levels in people suffering from the disorder. If needed, the presence of other psychiatric disorders must be assessed to determine if ADHD symptoms are caused by them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is usually recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been established that the combination of psychotherapy with medication produces superior results over either treatment by itself. Future controlled medication studies should aim to track and measure the improvement in functional aspects such as improved functioning at school, workplace and interpersonal relationships.