Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adults with adhd is based on therapy, medication and family support. Patients can also take part in clinical trials to test new ways of treating ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to benefit from stimulant medication. They must be monitored regularly. That includes monthly clinical appointments, and frequent reviews of side effects and symptoms.
Medicines
There are many drugs that can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in 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 decide on the most appropriate dosage and timetable. It may take a while to find the right dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.
Stimulants are usually the first medication doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD. treatment of add increase the amount of dopamine that is present in your brain and norepinephrine which allows you to manage your impulses and improve your focus. They are available in short-, intermediate-and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants can last for up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours. Long-acting drugs can last 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.
Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD if stimulants do not perform or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medicines do not affect your dopamine or norepinephrine levels however they do increase the brain's supply of norepinephrine, which improves your focus. These capsules are consumed once or twice daily.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD may also suffer from other psychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety. These are known as comorbid disorders and can affect the way you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbidities. For instance, people who have an history of using substances disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. For this reason, it's generally advised to wait until the patient has stopped using substances before considering treatment with stimulants for ADHD.
treatment of add is an interaction process of talking and discussing issues that may be disturbing or troubling to someone. The therapist listens and provides advice based on her education, training, experience, professional credentials and therapeutic philosophies. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks or months) and can address more immediate issues, or long-term. The patient and therapist determine the duration and frequency of therapy.
Psychotherapy and medication are an extremely effective way to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their organizational skills, time management and prioritizing. It can also teach methods to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms and increase concentration, which results in more effective and efficient academic and work.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a higher risk of co-existing conditions. This is especially applicable to mood disorders like depression and anxiety. It is essential that any co-existing conditions be treated prior to starting treatment for ADHD. Treatment of co-existing disorders could require different forms and dosages of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a person who suffers from ADHD might also be suffering from hypertension. Selecting a medication that addresses the ADHD symptoms, but does not destabilize the patient's hypertension that is controlled requires knowledge of how various medications affect people over time and an understanding of the interactions between medications.
It's important to find the right therapy provider with whom you have a an excellent relationship and who has experience treating adults with ADHD. It is important to schedule your initial sessions at times when you will not be distracted by work or family obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD face a variety of challenges in their lives, including difficulties in their relationships and at work. They also may experience anger, blame and frustration that have accumulated in their lives due to their symptoms. Numerous psychosocial therapies have been proven to help them and their families develop new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating.
Psychotherapy can also include cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals change their behavior and thinking. It involves setting goals, training and the practice of skills, and methods of teaching to improve self-esteem and organization. It can be conducted in individual or group sessions. A few studies have proven that the use of metacognitive therapy can reduce symptoms and improve performance in adults with ADHD (Stevenson et al 2002).
Some people suffering from ADHD might also require counseling to help them overcome specific life issues. These challenges may include family conflicts, aggressive or impulsive behaviors, and difficulty coping with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help develop strategies to help deal with these situations and increase the ability to communicate and solve problems. It can also help improve interpersonal relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term partnerships.
Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy and supportive group therapy. These can help families cope with the anxiety of having a child who has ADHD and teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can assist parents understand the condition and develop parenting strategies that encourage positive outcomes in their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medications regularly with their physicians and disclose any other medications, such as over-the drug products. Some medications can cause adverse effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis, it is essential to monitor the patient's condition to ensure that he/she receives the benefits of the medication and doesn't experience side adverse effects. It is recommended to see a patient for the initial clinical monitoring within 30days of beginning treatment, and then every month following that. This permits the proper adjustment of psychostimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamines to a safe, effective dose. This allows accurate registration of the patient's response and helps avoid keeping sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
For adults who do not respond adequately to stimulant medication or experience uncontrollable side effects the use of non-stimulant drugs might be suggested. This typically involves the use of the methylphenidate based atomoxetine alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD are frequently affected by comorbid disorders, like depression or drug abuse. In addition, they may experience chronic sleep disorders or medical problems such as vision and hearing disorders. It is essential to identify and assess these conditions in the initial evaluation for ADHD since these can have significant impact on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be controlled through marital therapy. Spouses report feeling overburdened with the responsibilities of caring for their spouses with ADHD, and can be angry or resentful in response. Increasing the patient's awareness of the symptoms of his/her illness and helping them realize that these aren't willful acts or a lack of affection can reduce resentment and marital difficulties. Couples who go through this kind of therapy tend to have better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For those who suffer from ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include an element of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy helps patients learn to improve their organizational skills, focus and control an impulsive behaviour. It helps patients learn to manage their work, social and home life more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition affects different areas of their life and relationships. This can help reduce the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are often felt by adults with ADHD. They could be perceived by others as being lazy or inexperienced.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by a variety of psychiatric disorders. For instance anxiety disorders are seen at high rates in adults ADHD patients and depression is observed at higher levels in adults with the disorder. The presence of other mental health issues should be analyzed, as appropriate, to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are connected to 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 and medication can produce superior results over either treatment by itself. Future controlled studies must attempt to measure and track the effects of functional improvements, such as better performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.