Treatment of ADHD in Adults

Treatment of adhd in adults includes therapy, medication and support from family members. Clinical trials are being conducted to test new treatments for ADHD.

Adults with ADHD are the most likely to benefit from stimulant medication. They require monitoring regularly. This includes regular clinical appointments, and frequent reviews of side effects and symptoms.

Medicines

There are many medications that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are known as psychostimulants and they alter the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that pass messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will recommend the best medication for you and will determine the best dose and schedule to take it. It may take a while to determine the appropriate medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.

The first medication doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. They increase the amount of dopamine in your brain, and also norepinephrine which allows you to manage your thoughts and focus. The medications are available in short-, medium-and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last for up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours. Long-acting drugs can last up to 16. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause side effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medicines. However, they can cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.

Nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause unwanted side effects. These medicines do not affect the levels of dopamine or norepinephrine however, they can increase the amount of norepinephrine. They also improve your focus. These medicines come in capsule form and are taken either twice or three times each day.

Some people with ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety. These conditions are known as comorbidities and can affect how you respond to ADHD treatment. It is essential to treat any comorbidities prior to starting treatment for ADHD. For instance, people who have an addiction history to drugs or disorder may be more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a process of talking and discussing issues that could be troubling or troubling for a person. The therapist listens to the person and provides guidance based on his or their education, training and experience as well as professional qualifications and therapeutic philosophies. Psychotherapy could be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with more immediate challenges, or long-term (months or years) in which a person is attempting to resolve more complicated and longstanding issues. The duration and frequency of therapy is decided by the therapist and the patient together.

Psychotherapy and medication are an extremely effective method to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy helps people improve their ability to manage their time, organize and prioritizing; it can also teach methods for managing emotions like anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms and increase concentration, which results in more effective and efficient work and academic performance.

Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have co-existing conditions, particularly mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. It is essential that any co-existing conditions be treated before beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different types and doses of medication than that used to treat ADHD.

A person with ADHD can also have hypertension. Selecting a medication that addresses the ADHD symptoms, but does not destabilize the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires knowledge of how different medications affect people over time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between medications.

It's important to find an therapist with whom you have good relations, and who has experience in treating adults with ADHD. It is crucial to schedule your initial sessions at times when you aren't distracted by family or work obligations.

Counseling

Adults with ADHD often face many life challenges, including relationships and work problems. They also may experience anger, blame, and frustration website that have developed in their lives because of their symptoms. Numerous psychosocial therapies have been proven to help their families and patients learn new behaviors, skills, and ways of communicating.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people alter their thinking and behavior. It includes goal-setting, skills training and practice, and methods to help improve organization and self-esteem. This can be done individually or in a group setting. Metacognitive therapy has proven to significantly reduce symptoms among adults with ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson and colleagues. 2002).

Certain people with ADHD may also require counseling to help them overcome certain life issues. These could include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behavior, or difficulties coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help develop how to handle these situations, improve communication and enhance problem-solving abilities. It can also help improve interpersonal relationships, especially in marriages or other long-term relationships.

Family therapy and supportive group therapy are also types of psychotherapy that could be utilized to treat ADHD. These therapies can help families cope and develop skills to lessen conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child who has ADHD. It can also assist parents to learn about the disorder and develop parenting strategies that encourage positive outcomes for their children.

Adults suffering from ADHD must discuss their medication regularly with their physicians and also disclose any other medications, including over the drug products. Certain medications can trigger adverse reactions or interact with other medications.

Medication Monitoring

After a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis is established, it is crucial that the patient be monitored to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of the medication and not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended to see patients for initial clinical assessment within 30 days of starting treatment and then every month thereafter. This permits the proper adjustment of psychostimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamines to a safe, effective dose. This permits accurate recording of the patient's reaction and assists in avoiding keeping sensitive patients on insufficient doses (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses onto unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).

Adults who are not responding well to stimulant medications or who have side effects that are intolerable may benefit from nonstimulant medications. This is usually the case with the methylphenidate based atomoxetine alternatives.

Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually affected by comorbid conditions, like depression or drug abuse. They may also have medical conditions like hearing or vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial evaluation for ADHD it is crucial to screen these conditions and assess the severity of them. These conditions could have a significant impact on functional impairments in adults.

ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. Spouses often report that they feel overburdened by the responsibilities to care for their spouses with ADHD and may become resentful and angry due to this. Making the patient aware of the symptoms of his/her illness and helping them realize that these are not willful acts or a lack of affection can help to reduce marital tensions and resentment. Couples who undergo this kind of therapy tend to have better functioning families.

Behavioral Therapy

Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is usually recommended. It should include a cognitive and behavioral component. Behavioral therapy can help patients improve their organizational skills, focus, and control impulsive behaviors. It helps patients learn to manage their social, work 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 felt by adults with ADHD. They may be perceived by others as being lazy or inexperienced.

Many psychiatric disorders can be akin to ADHD symptoms. For instance, anxiety disorders occur at a higher rate in adults ADHD patients, and depression is found in greater numbers among adults with the disorder. If needed the presence of other psychiatric disorders must 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 demonstrated that a combination of psychotherapy and medication produces better results than either treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to measure and track functional improvements such as improved performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.