Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adhd in adults includes therapy, medication and family support. Individuals can also take part in clinical trials to test new methods of treating ADHD.
The stimulant medications are the most effective drugs for adults with ADHD. They need to be monitored regularly. This includes regular clinical appointments as well as frequent reviews of side effects and symptoms.
Medicines
There are many drugs that can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are known as psychostimulants and they affect 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 on the most appropriate dosage and timetable. It may take some time to find the right 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 amount of dopamine that is present in your brain and norepinephrine which helps you to control your thoughts and improve your focus. These medicines are available in short-, medium-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants can last for up to 6 hours. add natural treatment I Am Psychiatry -acting medications last 8-10 hours. Long-acting drugs can last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer adverse effects than shorterand intermediate-acting medications, but they still can cause insomnia and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause undesirable adverse side effects. These medications don't alter the levels of norepinephrine or dopamine however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine that's available to your brain and increase your ability to focus. These medicines come in capsule form and are taken once or twice each day.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. These are referred to as comorbid conditions and they can impact the way you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbid issues. For instance, people who have a history of substance use disorder may be more likely to misuse psychostimulants. This is why it's generally advised to wait until the patient has quit using substances before considering treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interactive process of discussing and talking about issues that may be disturbing or troubling for a person. The therapist gives advice based upon his or her qualifications, experience, training, and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can 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 therapist and the patient together.
The use of psychotherapy and medications together is an extremely effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their time management, organizational skills and prioritizing. It can also teach techniques to manage emotions like anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms and increase focus, which leads to more productive and effective academic and work performance.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to be affected by co-existing disorders, including mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is essential to treat any co-existing conditions. The treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types of medication and doses than the ones prescribed to treat ADHD.
A person suffering from ADHD may also suffer from hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms, but does not affect the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires knowledge of how various medications affect people over time and an understanding of the interactions between different medications.
It is essential to locate a therapist who has had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you are at ease. It is crucial to schedule your first few sessions at a time when you will not be distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD face many challenges in their lives, such as difficulties at work and with relationships. The person who has ADHD might also experience frustration, anger and blame that have been accumulated over time. Psychosocial therapies can aid patients and their families to develop new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating.
Psychotherapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy that assists individuals change their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, as well as strategies for teaching that help improve self-esteem and organization. It can be done in a private or in a group. Metacognitive therapy has proven to significantly reduce symptoms in adults suffering from ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson, et al. 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD require counseling to deal with specific life issues. These may include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulties managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can teach the how to handle these situations, improve communication and enhance problem-solving abilities. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, particularly in long-term marriages or other partnerships.
Family therapy and supportive group therapy are two other types of psychotherapy that could be used to treat ADHD. These can help families deal with the anxiety of having a child with ADHD, as well as teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can aid parents understand the disorder and develop parenting strategies that encourage positive outcomes in their children.
Adults with ADHD should discuss their medications regularly with their doctors and also disclose any other medications, including over the counter drugs. Certain medications can interact with certain medications or trigger side effects that are worsened by other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough examination and diagnosis is established, it is important to monitor the patient to ensure that they are receiving the benefits of medication and not experiencing side effects. It is recommended to see patients for initial clinical assessment within 30 days of beginning treatment and every month thereafter. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this allows for a thorough titration to an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This permits accurate recording of the patient's response and assists in avoiding keeping sensitive patients taking insufficient doses (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses to excessively high levels (rapid metabolizers).
For adults who are unable to respond effectively to stimulant medications or suffer from uncontrollable side effects, the use of nonstimulant medication might be suggested. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have comorbid disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. In addition, they may experience chronic sleep disturbances or medical issues like hearing and vision disorders. It is essential to identify and assess these conditions as part of the initial assessment for ADHD because they could have a significant impact on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be treated through marital therapy. Couples often say that they are overwhelmed by the responsibilities to care for their spouses who have ADHD and can become resentful and angry in the process. The way to reduce resentment is by enhancing the patient's awareness of their condition, and helping them to realize that the symptoms are not due to a lack in affection or willfulness. Couples who go through this type of therapy usually experience improved family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
For adults with ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include a cognitive-behavioral component. Behavioral therapy helps patients learn to improve their organizational skills, focus and control an impulsive behaviour. It helps patients manage their social, work and home life more effectively. Psychotherapy assists patients in understanding how their condition affects different areas of their life and relationships. This helps reduce the shame and low-esteem that are commonly seen in people suffering from ADHD. They might be perceived by others as being lazy or less intelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders can mimic ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders and depression. The presence of other mental health problems should be assessed according to the need, to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are connected to them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that the combination of psychotherapy and medication produces superior results over either treatment by itself. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to track and measure functional improvements such as improved performance at work, school and interpersonal relationships.