Treatment of ADHD in Adults

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

Adults suffering from ADHD are the most likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. However, they must be monitored regularly. This includes monthly clinical appointments and regular reviews of symptoms.

Medicines

There are many medications that can help reduce the symptoms of adhd treatment options in adults. These 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 a medication that's right for you and determine the most appropriate dosage and time to take it. It may take some time to find the right dosage and medication that control your symptoms.

The first medication doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. They increase the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in your brain, which increase your ability to concentrate and control impulses. The medications are available in short-, medium-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medicines last between 8 and 10 hours, and long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have less side effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting medicines, but they can still cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.

Nonstimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause unpleasant adverse negative effects. These medicines don't affect the levels of norepinephrine or dopamine however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain and improve your ability to focus. These medicines come in capsules and are taken twice or once every day.

Many people with ADHD also have other psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. These are called comorbid conditions and they can influence the way you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbidities. People with a history substance abuse disorders are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until someone has stopped using drugs before using stimulants.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is an interaction process of discussing and talking about issues that may be disturbing or troubling to a person. The therapist listens and offers guidance based on his or his or her training, education, experience professional credentials and therapeutic philosophies. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a couple of weeks or months) and can address more immediate issues, or more long-term. The duration and frequency of therapy is decided by the patient and therapist together.

The combination of psychotherapy and medication together is an extremely effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can assist people improve their time management, organizational skills and prioritizing. It can also teach methods to manage emotions such as anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms, improve focus, and result in better academic and work performance.

Adults with ADHD have a higher likelihood of having co-existing disorders. This is especially true for mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing conditions. The treatment of co-existing disorders could require different types of medications and dosages than those used to treat ADHD.

A person suffering from ADHD may 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 understanding how different medications affect people over time and an understanding of the interactions between various medications.

It is essential to locate a therapist who has had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you feel at ease. It's important to schedule your first few sessions at a time that you won't be distracted by family or work obligations.

Counseling

Adults with ADHD often face many problems in their lives, such as relationships and work problems. They may also feel anger, blame and frustration that have built up in their lives because of their symptoms. Psychosocial therapies can help patients and their families to develop new abilities, attitudes and ways of communicating.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that helps people change their habits and thoughts. It includes goal-setting, skill training and practice, as well as teaching strategies to improve organization and self-esteem. It can be carried out in group or individual sessions. Some studies have shown that metacognitive treatment can significantly reduce symptoms and improve functioning in adults with ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors, 2002).

Some people with ADHD may also require counseling to help them overcome specific issues in their lives. These difficulties could include family conflicts, aggressive or impulsive behavior, and difficulties in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help you develop the skills to help manage these situations and improve communication and problem-solving abilities. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.

Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy and supportive group therapy. These therapies can help families cope and improve their skills to manage conflict and improve communication when dealing with children who have ADHD. It can also assist parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting styles that promote positive outcomes for their children.

It is essential for people with ADHD to discuss their medications with their health care professionals regularly, and to reveal any other medications they're taking, including over-the-counter drugs. Certain medications can cause adverse reactions or interact with other medications.

Medication Monitoring

After a thorough examination and diagnosis is made, it is essential that the patient be monitored to ensure that they are receiving the benefits of the medication and not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended to see the patient for the initial medical monitoring within 30 days of beginning treatment and then every month following that. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this allows for complete titration to an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This permits accurate recording of the patient's response. It also helps to avoid having sensitive patients remain taking insufficient doses (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses on unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).

Adults who are not responding well to stimulant medications or suffer from adverse effects that are unpalatable might benefit from non-stimulant drugs. This usually involves the use the methylphenidate based atomoxetine alternatives.

Adults who suffer from ADHD are often affected by comorbid disorders such as depression or substance abuse. Moreover, they may have chronic sleep disorders or medical issues such as vision and hearing disorders. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD it is crucial to screen such conditions and evaluate them. These conditions can have a significant impact on functional impairments 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 can become resentful and angry due to this. Reduced resentment can be achieved by increasing the patient's awareness of their condition, and helping them to understand that the symptoms aren't caused by a lack in love or willfulness. Couples who go through this kind of therapy usually experience improved family functioning.

Behavioral Therapy

Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is usually suggested. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy helps patients improve their organization skills, focus, and control impulsive behaviors. It helps patients manage their work, home and treatment of adhd in adults social interactions more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients to understand how their condition affects various aspects of their lives and relationships. This helps reduce the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are often seen among adults with ADHD. They might be perceived by others as lazy or inexperienced.

Many psychiatric disorders mimic ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. If necessary the presence of any other psychiatric disorders must be evaluated to determine whether ADHD symptoms are caused by them.

A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is employed, the results are better than either treatment alone. Future controlled studies will aim to track and evaluate the effects of functional improvement, like improvement in school performance or at work, as well as interpersonal relationships.