Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults suffering from adhd are treated with medication, therapy and support from the family. Clinical trials are being conducted to test new treatments for ADHD.
Adults with ADHD are the most likely to benefit from stimulant medication. But they need to be closely monitored. That includes monthly clinical appointments, and frequent reviews of symptoms and side effects.
Medicines
Many medications can be used to treat symptoms of ADHD among adults. These are called psychostimulants and they affect the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) which transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will choose the right medication for you and will determine the most effective dosage and timetable. It could take some time to determine the appropriate medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.
Stimulants are typically the first prescribed medication by doctors for adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs increase the amount of dopamine in your brain and norepinephrine, which allows you to manage your thoughts and improve your focus. These medications are available in short-, medium-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants can last for 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours. Long-acting drugs can last up to 16. Long-acting stimulants are less likely cause adverse effects than intermediate or shorter-acting medicines. However, they may still cause sleepiness and change in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause undesirable side effects. These medicines do not affect your norepinephrine or dopamine however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine, which improves your concentration. These medications are available in capsule form and are taken twice or once each day.
Certain adults who suffer from ADHD suffer from co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety. These are called comorbid conditions and they can impact how you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbid issues. Patients with a history of substance abuse disorder are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process that involves talking and discussing topics that cause distress or anxiety for a person. The therapist gives advice in accordance with their education, experience, credentials and the therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with issues that are more immediate or more long-term (months or years) where a person is working to address more complicated and longstanding issues. The patient and therapist determine the duration and frequency of treatment.
Psychotherapy and medication are a highly 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. Medication can reduce symptoms and improve focus, leading to more productive and effective academic and work performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely of co-existing conditions. This is particularly true for mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing conditions. Treatment of co-existing disorders could require different types and doses of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
For example, a person who suffers from ADHD may also have hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms, but does not affect the patient's hypertension that is controlled requires understanding how different medications affect people over time and an understanding of the interactions between different medications.
It is essential to find a therapist who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD and with whom you feel comfortable. It is also crucial to schedule your first few sessions during times when you won't be distracted by family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD face many challenges in their lives, such as problems at work and with relationships. They may also feel frustration, blame and anger that have accumulated in their lives because of their symptoms. Numerous psychosocial therapies have been proven to aid them and their families learn new attitudes, skills and ways of connecting.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that assists people in changing their behavior and thinking. It involves setting goals, training and the practice of skills, as well as teaching strategies for improving self-esteem and organizational skills. It can be done in a private or in a group. Certain studies have demonstrated that the use of metacognitive therapy can reduce symptoms and improve performance for adults suffering from ADHD (Stevenson et al, 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also need counseling to address specific issues. These issues could include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, or difficulty in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can teach the skills to manage these situations, improve communication and increase problem-solving capabilities. It can also enhance relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term partnerships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy as well as supportive group therapy. These can assist families to cope with the anxiety of having a child with ADHD, as well as develop skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It also helps parents learn about the disorder and develop parenting styles that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
It is essential for people suffering from ADHD to discuss their medication with their health care providers regularly, and to reveal any other medications they're taking, including any over-the-counter medications. Some medications can cause adverse effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis, it is important to monitor the patient to ensure that he/she receives the benefits of the medication and does not experience side negative effects. It is recommended that a patient be examined for an initial medical check-up within 30 days of initiating treatment and then every month afterward. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this enables thorough titration to an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This permits accurate recording of the patient's reaction and helps avoid keeping sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
Adults who aren't responding well to stimulant medication or have unwanted side effects that are difficult to tolerate might benefit from non-stimulant drugs. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine, or other related methylphenidate alternatives.
Adults with ADHD are frequently affected by comorbid disorders, like depression or drug abuse. They may also have medical issues like hearing and vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. It is crucial to identify and analyze these conditions as part of the initial assessment for ADHD since these can have significant effects on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. Many spouses report that they feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses who have ADHD and can become resentful and angry as a result. Increasing the patient's awareness of the symptoms of his/her illness and helping them understand that these aren't impulsive actions or lack of love can help reduce resentment and marital difficulties. Couples who go through this type of therapy are more likely to have better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For adults with ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include the cognitive-behavioral aspect. Behavioral therapy assists patients in learning to improve their abilities to manage their time, focus and control the impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their work, social and home life more efficiently. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their disorder impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help reduce the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are often felt by people suffering from ADHD. They could be viewed by others as being lazy or unintelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by many mental disorders. For example anxiety disorders are seen at a high rate in adults ADHD patients, and depression is found in greater numbers among people suffering from the disorder. The presence of other psychiatric problems should be assessed, as appropriate, to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are related to them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. adult add treatment I Am Psychiatry has been established that the combination of psychotherapy with medication produces superior results over either treatment by itself. Future controlled studies must attempt to track and measure the effects of functional improvements, such as better performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.