Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment of adhd in adults includes therapy, medication and support from family members. Clinical trials are available to test new treatments for ADHD.
Stimulant medication is the most effective drugs for adults with ADHD. But they need to be closely monitored. This includes regular clinical appointments, and frequent reviews of symptoms and side effects.
Medicines
There are many drugs that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are known as psychostimulants and they affect the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) which transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will select the right medication for you and will determine the best dose and schedule to take it. It could take some time to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that control your symptoms.
The first drug that doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. They increase the amount of dopamine that is present in your brain, and also norepinephrine which allows you to manage your impulses and focus. These medications are available in short-, medium-- and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants last for about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medicines last 8-10 hours, and long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause side effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting medications, but they can still cause insomnia and changes in appetite.
Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera), are used to treat adults with ADHD in cases where stimulants don't work or cause unwanted side effects. These medicines don't affect your dopamine or norepinephrine however they increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain and improve your ability to focus. These medications are in capsule form and are taken twice or once a day.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD may also suffer from other psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. These disorders are referred to as comorbidities, and they can influence how you respond to ADHD treatment. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbid issues. For instance, those who have an history of using substances disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. Because of this, it's often advisable to wait until a person has removed themselves from using substances before evaluating treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process that involves discussing and talking about topics that cause anxiety or are disturbing to a person. The therapist listens and provides guidance based on their education, training and experience, professional credentials and therapeutic theories. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues, or long-term (months or years) in which a person is attempting to resolve more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of treatment is decided by the patient and therapist together.
The use of psychotherapy and medications together is an extremely effective treatment for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their organizational skills, time management and prioritizing; it can also teach methods for managing emotions like anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms and increase focus, which leads to more productive and effective work and academic performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing disorders, including mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing conditions. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different types and doses of medication than those used to treat ADHD.
A person suffering from ADHD may also be suffering from hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms but does not destabilize the patient's tentatively controlled hypertension requires knowledge of how various medications affect individuals over time and an understanding of the interactions between different medications.
It's important to find the right professional with whom you share a a good relationship, and who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. It's also important to schedule your initial sessions in a time when you aren't distracted by family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults with ADHD often have many problems in their lives, such as relationships and work issues. They may also feel anger, blame and frustration that have developed in their lives because of their symptoms. A variety of psychosocial treatments have been proven to help their families and patients learn new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating.
Psychotherapy can include cognitive behavior therapy, a type of psychotherapy that aids individuals to modify their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, as well as methods of teaching to improve self-esteem and organization. This can be done individually or in a group setting. Some studies have shown 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 people with ADHD also require counseling to address specific issues. These may include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behaviors, or difficulty dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help develop skills to help deal with these situations and increase the ability to communicate and solve problems. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, particularly in long-term marriages or other relationships.
Family therapy and support groups therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that can be utilized to treat ADHD. These therapies can help families cope and learn skills to reduce conflict and improve communication when dealing with children who have ADHD. It can assist parents understand the disorder and develop parenting methods that encourage positive results in their children.
It is important for adults with ADHD to discuss their medication with their health care professionals regularly, and to inform them of any other medications they're taking, including prescription drugs. Certain medications can trigger adverse effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough assessment and diagnosis, it is important to monitor the patient's condition to ensure that he/she receives the benefits of the medication and doesn't suffer from side negative effects. It is recommended to visit a patient for the initial clinical assessment within 30 days of beginning treatment, and then every month thereafter. This will allow for an accurate adjustment of psychostimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate to a well-tolerated and effective dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's reaction and assists in avoiding the patient from being kept on insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses onto unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).
Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medications or who have adverse effects that are unpalatable might benefit from non-stimulant drugs. This typically involves the use of the methylphenidate based atomoxetine alternatives.
Adults with ADHD are often affected by comorbid disorders, such as depression or substance abuse. They may also have medical problems like hearing and vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. It is important to screen and evaluate such conditions as part of the initial assessment for ADHD since these can have significant impact on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. Couples complain of being overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses with ADHD and can become resentful or angry in response. Increasing the patient's awareness of the signs of their condition and helping them realize that these aren't willful actions or lack of affection can reduce marital conflict and resentment. Couples who undergo this type of therapy tend to have better functioning families.
Behavioral Therapy
For those who suffer from ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include an element of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their ability to organize their lives, focus and control impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their home, work and social settings in more productive ways. Psychotherapy also helps patients understand how their disorder affects different areas of their lives and relationships. This can help decrease the shame and low self-esteem that is commonly seen in people with ADHD, who may be thought of as lazy or less intelligent.
adhd natural treatment can be mimicked by various mental disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. If needed the presence of other psychiatric disorders should be analyzed to determine whether ADHD symptoms are caused by them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is typically recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been shown that when a combination of medication and psychotherapy is utilized the results are superior than either treatment alone. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to track and measure the improvement in functional aspects such as improved performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.