Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adults with adhd includes therapy, medication and family support. Clinical trials are available to test the effectiveness of new treatments for ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are the most likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. But they need to be closely monitored. This includes monthly appointments with a doctor and regular reviews of side effects and symptoms.
Medicines
Many medications can be used to treat the symptoms of ADHD among adults. They are referred to as psychostimulants. they work by changing the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will select the right medication for you and will decide the most effective dose and time to take it. It may take a while to find the right dosage and medication that is able to control your symptoms.
Stimulants are typically the first prescribed medication by doctors to adults suffering from ADHD. These medications increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which enhances your ability to concentrate and manage impulses. The medications are available in short-, mediumand long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last for up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medicines last for 8-10 hours. Long-acting stimulants last from 8 to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely cause adverse reactions than intermediate or shorter-acting medications. However, they can cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.
Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine, (Strattera), are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause undesirable side effects. These medications do not alter your norepinephrine or dopamine however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine. They also improve your focus. These capsules are consumed once or two times a day.
Many people with ADHD may also suffer from 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 beginning treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbid issues. For instance, people who have an history of using substances disorder are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until a person has quit using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process of discussing and talking about issues that may be disturbing or troubling to a person. The therapist offers guidance on the basis of his or her education, experience, credentials, and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term, (a few weeks or months) or addressing more immediate issues, or long-term. The patient and therapist determine the length and frequency of treatment.
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 strategies to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms, improve focus and lead to better academic and work performance.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to have co-existing issues, especially mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is essential to treat any co-existing condition. The treatment of co-existing conditions could require different types of medication and doses than the ones 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 alter 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 is essential to find a therapist who has experience treating adults with ADHD and with whom you feel at ease. It is important to schedule your first few sessions at a time when you aren't distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD face a variety of challenges in their lives, including issues in their relationships and at work. A person with ADHD may also experience anger, frustration and blame that has developed over time. Psychosocial treatments can help patients and their families develop new abilities, attitudes, and ways of relating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people change their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, and teaching strategies for improving self-esteem and organization. It can be carried out in groups or individually. Metacognitive therapy has proven to significantly reduce doctors who treat adhd in adults symptoms in adults with ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson and colleagues., 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD also require counseling to address specific life issues. This could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behaviors, or difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help develop skills to help manage these situations and improve the ability to communicate and solve problems. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term partnerships.
Other forms of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy and supportive group therapy. These can help families deal with the anxiety of having a child who has ADHD and develop skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can also help parents understand the disorder and develop parenting styles that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
Adults with ADHD must discuss their medication regularly with their physicians and disclose any other medications, including over the prescription drugs. Certain medications can interact with specific medications or cause adverse reactions that are made worse by other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis, it is crucial to monitor the patient's condition to ensure that he/she reaps the benefits of the medication and does not experience any adverse side effects. It is recommended to consult the patient for the initial clinical assessment within 30 days of starting treatment, and then every month thereafter. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines, methylphenidate) this allows for a complete titration to an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response and helps avoid keeping sensitive patient on insufficient doses.
For adults who do not 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 atomoxetine or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually affected by comorbid disorders, such as depression or substance abuse. They might also be suffering from medical conditions like hearing or vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. It is crucial to identify and assess these conditions in the initial evaluation for ADHD because they could have a significant impact on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be controlled through marital therapy. Couples often say that they feel overburdened by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses with ADHD and may become resentful and angry as a result. The way to reduce resentment is by enhancing the patient's understanding of the illness, and helping them to realize that the symptoms aren't the result of a lack in affection or willfulness. Couples who go through this type 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 the cognitive-behavioral aspect. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their organizational skills, focus and control impulsive behavior. It helps patients learn to manage their work, social and home environments more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients to understand how their disorder impacts different areas of their life and relationships. This helps reduce the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are often seen among people suffering from ADHD. They might be viewed by others as lazy or less intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders can mimic ADHD symptoms. For example anxiety disorders are seen at a high rate in adult ADHD patients and depression is observed in greater numbers among people suffering from the disorder. If it is necessary the presence of any other psychiatric disorders should be analyzed to determine whether ADHD symptoms are caused by them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is usually recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is employed the results are superior than treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to measure and track the effects of functional improvements, such as better performance at work, school and interpersonal relationships.