Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment of adhd in adults is based on therapy, medication and support from family members. Clinical trials are being conducted to test new treatments for ADHD.
The stimulant medications are the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD. They must be monitored regularly. This includes monthly appointments with a doctor and regular reviews of symptoms and side effects.
Medicines
Numerous medications can be used to reduce 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 a medication that's right for you and will decide the most appropriate dosage and time to take it. It may take a while to determine the appropriate medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.
Stimulants are often the first prescribed medication by doctors for adults suffering from ADHD. These medications increase the amount of dopamine that is present in your brain, and also norepinephrine which aids in controlling your thoughts and keep your focus. They are available in short-, intermediate-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last around 6 hours, intermediate-acting medicines last between 8 and 10 hours, and long-acting medications last for up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely cause side effects than intermediate- or shorter-acting medicines. However, they can induce sleepiness and a change in appetite.
Nonstimulant medications, like atomoxetine (Strattera), can be used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause unpleasant side effects. These medicines do not affect your dopamine or norepinephrine levels, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine and improve your focus. These medicines come in capsule form and are taken once or twice each day.
Certain adults who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety or depression. These conditions are referred to as comorbidities and may affect your response to ADHD treatment. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbidities. For instance, people who have an history of using substances disorder may be more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until someone has quit using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interactive process of discussing and talking about issues that could be troubling or troubling to a person. The therapist gives advice based upon his or her training, experience, credentials and the philosophy of therapy. Psychotherapy can be short-term, (a couple of weeks or months) and can address more immediate issues, or more long-term. The duration and frequency of therapy is determined by the therapist and the patient together.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication together is an extremely effective treatment option for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help 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 efficient and successful academic and work.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing issues, especially mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Before beginning iampsychiatry for ADHD, it is important to treat any co-existing condition. Treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types and dosages of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a patient who suffers from ADHD may also have hypertension. To select a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing instability to the hypertension of the patient it is essential to know how different medications affect people in the course of time, as well as the interactions between the medications.
It's important to find the right therapist with whom you have a good relationship, and who has experience in treating adults with ADHD. It is crucial to schedule your first few sessions at times when you won't be distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD face many challenges in their lives, including issues at work and in relationships. They also may experience anger, blame and frustration that have developed in their lives because of their symptoms. Several psychosocial treatments have been proven to help them and their families learn new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type psychotherapy that helps people change their thinking and behavior. It includes goal-setting, skills training and practice, and teaching strategies to improve self-esteem and organization. This can be done individually or in a group. A few studies have proven that metacognitive treatment can significantly reduce symptoms and improve functioning for adults suffering from ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors, 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also need counseling to deal with specific life issues. These could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulty managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can help you develop the strategies to help deal with these situations and enhance the ability to communicate and solve problems. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, particularly in long-term marriages or other partnerships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These therapies can help families cope and develop skills to lessen conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child suffering from ADHD. It also helps parents recognize the symptoms and develop parenting styles that promote positive outcomes for their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their physicians and also disclose any other medications, including over-the prescription drugs. Certain medications can interact with certain medications or cause adverse effects that are exacerbated by other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis is established, it is important that the patient be monitored to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of the medication and not experiencing side effects. It is recommended that patients be examined for initial clinical monitoring within 30 days of starting treatment and monthly following that. This will allow for a thorough adjustment of psychostimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, to a safe, effective dose. This allows for a precise registration of the patient's response and helps to avoid keeping sensitive patients on doses that are not sufficient (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses to excessively high levels (rapid metabolizers).
For adults who are unable to respond effectively to stimulant medications or suffer from uncontrollable side effects, the use of non-stimulant drugs might be suggested. This is usually the case with the methylphenidate based atomoxetine alternatives.
Adults who suffer from ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. They might also be suffering from medical conditions like hearing or vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD it is essential to screen such conditions and evaluate the severity of 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 often report that they feel overburdened by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses with ADHD and can become resentful and angry as a result. Making the patient aware of the signs of their condition and helping them realize that these aren't impulsive acts or a lack of affection can help to reduce resentment and marital difficulties. Couples who go through this kind of therapy tend to be more functional as a family.
Behavioral Therapy
For those who suffer from ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include a cognitive-behavioral component. Behavioral therapy helps patients learn to improve their ability to organize their lives, focus and control impulsive behavior. It teaches patients to manage their home, work and social settings in more productive ways. Psychotherapy can also help patients understand how their disorder impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This helps reduce the stigma and feelings of shame that are often felt by adults with ADHD. They may be viewed by others as being lazy or less intelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by a variety of psychiatric disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety. The presence of other mental health problems should be evaluated in order to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are related to them.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated with the combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been established that a combination of psychotherapy and medication can produce superior results over either treatment alone. Future controlled medication studies will try to measure and assess the effects of functional improvement, like improved functioning in school as well as in the workplace and interpersonal relations.