Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults with adhd are treated with therapy, medication and support from the family. Clinical trials are available to test new treatments for ADHD.
Stimulant medications are the most effective medications for adults with ADHD. But they need to be closely monitored. This includes regular appointments with a physician and regular reviews of symptoms.
Medicines
There are many drugs that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. treatment for add in adults are referred to as psychostimulants, and 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 will determine the most effective dose and time to take it. It could take some time to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.
The first medication doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. They increase the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in your brain, which enhances your ability to focus and control impulses. The medications are available in short-, mediumand long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last for about 6 hours, intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours, and long-acting medicines last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer adverse effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting medications, but they can still cause an increase in appetite and sleepiness.
Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD if stimulants do not work or cause unwanted side effects. These medications do not alter the levels of dopamine or norepinephrine, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine. They also improve your ability to concentrate. These medications are available in capsule form and are taken once or twice each day.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD also have other psychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety. These disorders are referred to as comorbidities, and they can affect your response to ADHD treatment. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbidities. People with a history addiction to drugs are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. This is why it's often advisable to wait until the patient 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 distress or anxiety for a person. The therapist listens to the person and provides guidance based on her education, training, experience professional credentials and therapeutic theories. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with more immediate challenges, or long-term (months or years) where a person is working on more complicated and longstanding issues. The patient and therapist decide on the duration and frequency of treatment.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication is an extremely effective method to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their abilities to organize their lives, manage their time and prioritizing; it can also teach strategies for managing emotions like anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms and increase focus, leading to more effective and efficient academic and work performance.
Adults with ADHD are more likely of having co-existing disorders. This is particularly true for mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Before beginning treatment of add for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing disorders. Treatment of co-existing disorders may require different forms and dosages of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
A person who suffers from ADHD may also suffer from hypertension. Selecting a medication that addresses the ADHD symptoms but does not destabilize the patient's tentatively controlled hypertension requires knowledge of how various medications affect people over time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between medications.
It's crucial to choose a therapist with had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you are at ease. It's important to schedule your initial sessions at times when you won't be distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD have many difficulties in their lives, including difficulties in their relationships and at work. They may also feel anger, blame, and frustration that have developed in their lives due to their symptoms. Psychosocial treatments can help patients and their families develop new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that assists people in changing their habits and thoughts. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, and teaching strategies for improving organization and self-esteem. This can be done individually or in a group setting. A few studies have proven that the use of metacognitive therapy can reduce symptoms and improve functioning for adults suffering from ADHD (Stevenson et al 2002).
Some people suffering from ADHD might also require counseling to help them overcome certain issues in their lives. These may include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behavior, or difficulties coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help teach skills to manage these situations, improve communication and enhance problem-solving abilities. treatment of add can also help improve interpersonal relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy and supportive group therapy. These can help families cope with the stress of having a child with ADHD, as well as develop skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can also assist parents to learn about the disorder and develop parenting techniques that promote positive outcomes for their children.
It is important for people suffering from ADHD to discuss their medications with their health care professionals regularly, and to inform them of all other medications they are 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 is established, it is essential that the patient be monitored to ensure that he or she is receiving the benefits of the medication and is not experiencing any adverse side effects. It is recommended to consult a patient for the initial clinical monitoring within 30days after starting treatment and then every month after that. This will allow for an accurate titration of psychostimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamines to a well-tolerated, effective dose. This allows accurate registration of the patient's reaction and helps to avoid keeping a sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medications or who have side effects that are intolerable might benefit from non-stimulant drugs. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine or other related alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults suffering from ADHD often have comorbid disorders such as mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. They may also suffer from medical issues like hearing and vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD it is crucial to screen for these conditions and then evaluate the severity of them. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments for adults.
ADHD can also be treated through marital therapy. Couples complain of being overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses who suffer from ADHD and may become angry or resentful in response. Making the patient aware of the symptoms of his/her illness and helping to understand that these are not willful actions or a lack of love can reduce marital tensions and resentment. Couples who go through this type of therapy tend to have better functioning families.
Behavioral Therapy
For adults with ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include the cognitive-behavioral aspect. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their abilities to manage their time and focus and control their an impulsive behaviour. It helps patients manage their work, home, and social situations more effectively. Psychotherapy also helps patients understand how their disorder affects different areas of their lives and relationships. This helps reduce the shame and low-esteem that are often seen among people with ADHD. They might be perceived by others as lazy or inexperienced.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by many psychiatric disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. The presence of other mental health problems should be assessed in order to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are linked to them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated using the combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been demonstrated that the combination of psychotherapy and medication can produce better results than either treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to measure and track the improvement in functional aspects such as improved functioning at school, workplace, and interpersonal relationships.