Treatment of ADHD in Adults

Adults who suffer from adhd are treated through therapy, medication and support from family members. Clinical trials are available to test the effectiveness of new treatments for ADHD.

Adults with ADHD are more likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. But they need to be closely monitored. This includes monthly appointments with a doctor, and frequent reviews of symptoms and side effects.

Medications

There are many drugs that can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are known as psychostimulants, and they work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will select the appropriate medication for you, and determine the best dosage and timetable. It may take some time to determine the proper dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.

The first drug that doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. These medications increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which improve your ability to concentrate and control impulses. The medications are available in short-, mediumand long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last about 6 hours, intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours, while long-acting medications last for up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer negative effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting drugs, however they still can cause an increase in appetite and sleepiness.

Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD if stimulants do not work or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medications don't alter your dopamine or norepinephrine however they increase the amount of norepinephrine that's available to your brain and improve your ability to concentrate. These capsules are taken once or twice a day.

Some adults with ADHD also have other psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. These are called comorbid conditions and they can impact the way you respond to treatment for ADHD. It is important to address any comorbidities prior to starting treatment for ADHD. For instance, people who have an history of using substances disorder may be more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before using stimulants.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a process of talking and discussing issues that may be disturbing or troubling to a person. The therapist provides guidance based upon his or her education, experience, credentials, and the therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with issues that are more immediate, or long-term (months or years) in which a patient is working to address more complex and long-standing issues. The therapist and the patient determine the duration and frequency of therapy.

The combination of psychotherapy and medication is a highly effective way to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their abilities to organize their lives, manage their time and prioritizing; it can also teach strategies to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms and increase concentration, which results in more effective and efficient work and academic performance.

Adults suffering from ADHD have a higher risk of having co-existing disorders. This is particularly relevant for mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing conditions. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different types and dosages of medication than that used to treat ADHD.

For instance, a person with ADHD may also have hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms but does not destabilize the patient's tentatively controlled hypertension requires understanding how different medications affect individuals over time and an understanding of the interactions between medications.

It's important to find a therapy provider with whom you have a a good relationship, and who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. It is also crucial to schedule your first few sessions during times when you won't be distracted by family responsibilities or work obligations.

Counseling

Adults with untreated adhd in female adults symptoms typically face a variety of life challenges, including work and relationship problems. They also may experience frustration, blame and anger that have developed in their lives due to their symptoms. Several psychosocial treatments have been proven effective in helping 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, skill training and practice, and methods to help increase self-esteem and organizational skills. It can be carried out in group or individual sessions. Metacognitive therapy has been proven to significantly reduce symptoms in adults with ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson, et al., 2002).

In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD also require counseling to address specific challenges. This could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help develop skills to manage these situations, improve communication, and improve problem-solving skills. It can also improve relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.

Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy as well as supportive group therapy. These can help families deal with the anxiety of having a child with ADHD and teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can also assist parents to recognize the symptoms and develop parenting styles that promote positive outcomes for their children.

Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their doctor and inform them of any other medications, including over-the drug products. Certain medications can interact with certain medications or cause adverse effects that are exacerbated by other medications.

Medication Monitoring

After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis is made, it is important that the patient is monitored to ensure that they are receiving the benefits of the medication and is not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended that patients be seen for a first clinical examination within 30 days of beginning treatment and then every month afterward. This will allow for a thorough adjustment of psychostimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, to a safe, effective dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response and helps to avoid having sensitive patients remain on doses that are not sufficient (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses on unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).

For adults who are not responding well to stimulant medication or suffer from uncontrollable side effects, the use of non pharmacological treatment for add adhd in adults for adhd (reviews over at Wikihearsay)-stimulant drugs might be suggested. This is usually the case with atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.

Adults suffering from ADHD are often affected by comorbid disorders like depression or substance abuse. Additionally, they may suffer from chronic sleep disorders or medical issues such as hearing and vision problems. As part of the initial evaluation for ADHD it is crucial to detect these conditions and assess them. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments in adults.

Marital therapy can also be beneficial in managing ADHD. Couples complain of being overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses suffering from ADHD, and can become resentful or angry in response. increasing the awareness of the patient about the symptoms of his/her condition and helping them understand that these aren't impulsive acts or a lack of affection can reduce resentment and marital difficulties. Couples who undergo this what type of doctor treats adhd in adults of therapy typically experience better family functioning.

Behavioral Therapy

For those who suffer from ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate an element of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy assists patients in improving their organizational skills, focus and manage impulsive behavior. It teaches patients to manage their work, home and social settings more effectively. Psychotherapy also helps patients understand how their disorder affects various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can reduce the shame and low-esteem that are often felt by people suffering from ADHD. They could be perceived by others as being lazy or inexperienced.

Many psychiatric disorders may be akin to ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. If necessary, the presence of other mental disorders should be evaluated to determine whether ADHD symptoms are caused by them.

Adults with ADHD are usually treated with an amalgamation of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been demonstrated that when adhd goes untreated a combination of medications and psychotherapy is employed, the results are better than treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies will try to measure and assess the effects of functional improvement, like improvement in school performance as well as in the workplace and interpersonal relations.