Treatment of ADHD in Adults

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

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

Medicines

There are many medications that can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are known as psychostimulants. They function by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will choose the best medication for you and will decide the best dose and schedule to take it. It may take some time to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.

The first medication doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. These drugs increase the amount of dopamine in your brain and norepinephrine, which helps you to control your impulses and improve your focus. They are available in short-, intermediate-and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants can last for up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours. Long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause negative effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting drugs, however they can still cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.

Nonstimulant medicines, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unpleasant adverse negative effects. These medicines don't affect the levels of norepinephrine or dopamine, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine that's available to your brain and increase your ability to concentrate. These medications are in capsules and can be taken either twice or three times a day.

Some adults with ADHD have co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety or depression. These are called comorbid conditions and they can influence how you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is essential to address any comorbidities. For instance, those who have an addiction history to drugs or disorder may be more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is an interaction process of discussing and talking about issues that may be disturbing or troubling to a person. The therapist offers guidance based upon his or her qualifications, experience, training, and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a couple of weeks or months) or addressing more immediate issues, or longer-term. The patient and therapist determine the length and frequency of treatment.

The combination of psychotherapy and medication together is a highly effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their ability to manage their time, organize and prioritizing. It can also teach strategies for managing emotions like anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and increase focus, leading to more efficient and successful academic and work performance.

Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to have co-existing disorders, including mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Before starting treatment for ADHD, it is important to treat any co-existing conditions. The treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types of medication and doses than those used to treat ADHD.

A person who suffers from ADHD can also have hypertension. To pick a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms without destabilizing the patient's hypertension it is essential to understand how different medications affect individuals over time and the interactions between medications.

It's important that you choose a therapist with expertise in treating adults with ADHD and with whom you feel at ease. It's also important to arrange your first few sessions when you aren't distracted by family obligations or work obligations.

Counseling

Adults who suffer from ADHD often have many life challenges, including relationships and work problems. They also may experience frustration, blame and anger that have built up in their lives due to their symptoms. Numerous psychosocial therapies have been proven to aid them and their families develop new skills, attitudes and ways of relating.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that assists people in changing their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, training and practice of skills, and strategies for teaching that help improve self-esteem and organization. It can be done in a private or in a group. Certain studies have demonstrated that treatment for metacognitive disorders can reduce symptoms and improve functioning in adults with ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors, 2002).

In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also require counseling to address specific life challenges. These issues could include family conflicts, aggressive or impulsive behaviors, or difficulty in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help develop skills to manage these situations, improve communication and improve problem-solving skills. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, especially in long-term marriages or other partnerships.

Family therapy and supportive groups therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that could be used to treat ADHD. These can assist families adhd treatment to cope with the anxiety of having a child suffering from ADHD and help improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can also assist parents to learn about the disorder and develop parenting techniques that promote positive outcomes for their children.

It is essential for adults with ADHD to discuss their medication with their health care providers regularly, and to reveal any other medications they're taking, including any over-the-counter medications. Certain medications can interact with certain medications or trigger adverse reactions that are made worse by other medications.

Medication Monitoring

After a thorough examination and diagnosis, it is essential to monitor the patient to ensure that he/she reaps the benefits of the medication and does not suffer from side negative effects. It is recommended to consult patients for initial medical monitoring within 30 days after starting treatment and every month after that. This will allow for a thorough adjustment of psychostimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate to a well-tolerated, effective dose. This allows accurate registration of the patient's reaction and helps to avoid keeping a sensitive patient on insufficient doses.

Adults who are not responding well to stimulant medication or have unwanted side effects that are difficult to tolerate could benefit from non-stimulant medications. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine, or other related alternatives to methylphenidate.

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

Marital therapy can also be beneficial in the management of ADHD. Couples often say that they feel overburdened by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses with ADHD and may become resentful and angry due to this. Reduced resentment can be achieved by enhancing the understanding of his/her illness, and helping them to realize that the symptoms are not the result of a lack in love or willfulness. Couples who go through this type of therapy are more likely to have better family functioning.

Behavioral Therapy

For those who suffer from ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include a cognitive-behavioral component. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their organizational skills and focus and control their impulsive behavior. It teaches patients to manage their home, work, and social situations more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition affects various aspects of their lives and relationships. This helps reduce the shame and low-esteem that are often felt by people suffering from ADHD. They could be perceived by others as lazy or inexperienced.

Many psychiatric disorders mimic ADHD symptoms. For instance anxiety disorders are found at high rates in adults ADHD patients, and depression is found in greater numbers among those suffering from the disorder. 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 shown that when a combination of medication and psychotherapy is used the results are superior than either treatment alone. Future controlled medication studies should aim to track and measure functional improvements such as improved performance at work, school and interpersonal relationships.