Treatment of ADHD in Adults

Adults suffering from adhd are treated through medication, therapy and support from the family. Clinical trials are being conducted to test new treatments for ADHD.

Adults with ADHD are more likely to benefit from stimulant medication. But they need to be constantly monitored. This includes monthly clinical appointments and frequent examinations of symptoms.

Medicines

There are many medications that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are called psychostimulants and they work by changing the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that pass messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will choose a medication that's right for you and determine the most effective dose and time to take it. It may take a while to determine the appropriate medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.

Stimulants are typically the first prescribed medication by doctors to adults suffering from ADHD. These medications increase the amount of dopamine found in your brain and norepinephrine which allows you to manage your thoughts and focus. They come in short-, intermediate-- and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants can last for up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours. Long-acting stimulants last from 8 to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer negative effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting medicines, but they still can cause insomnia and changes in appetite.

Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine, (Strattera), are used to treat adults with ADHD in cases where stimulants don't work or cause undesirable side effects. These medicines don't affect your dopamine or norepinephrine, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain, and improve your ability to focus. These medications are in capsules and can be taken twice or once each day.

Some adults with ADHD may also suffer from other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression. These are called comorbid conditions and can affect the way you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbidities. For instance, those who have an addiction history to drugs or disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until a person has quit using drugs before treating them with stimulants.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a process that involves discussing and talking about topics that cause distress or anxiety to a person. The therapist gives advice on the basis of his or her education, experience, credentials and the therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues, or long-term (months or years) where a person is attempting to resolve more complex and long-standing issues. The duration and frequency of the treatment is decided by the therapist and patient together.

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

Adults with ADHD are more likely of co-existing illnesses. This is particularly true for mood disorders like depression and anxiety. It is important that any co-existing disorders be treated prior to starting treatment for ADHD. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different types and doses of medication than the ones used to treat ADHD.

A person suffering from ADHD can also have hypertension. Choosing a medication that treats the ADHD symptoms, but does not affect the patient's hypertension that is controlled requires understanding how different medications affect individuals over time and an understanding of the interactions between medications.

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

Counseling

Adults suffering from ADHD face a variety of challenges in their lives, such as issues in their relationships and at work. The person who has ADHD might also experience frustration, anger and blame that has built up over time. A variety of psychosocial treatments have been proven to help them and their families develop new behaviors, skills, and ways of connecting.

Psychotherapy can include cognitive behavior therapy, a type of psychotherapy that assists individuals change their behavior and thinking. It includes goal-setting, skill training and practice, and methods of teaching to increase self-esteem and organizational skills. It may be done in individual or group sessions. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms among adults with ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson and colleagues., 2002).

In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD require counseling to address specific life issues. These may include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behaviors, or difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help teach how to handle these situations, improve communication and improve problem-solving skills. It can also enhance relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.

Family therapy and supportive group therapy are also types of psychotherapy that could be utilized to treat ADHD. These can assist families to cope with the stress of having a child suffering from ADHD and teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can help parents to understand the disorder, and develop parenting techniques that encourage positive outcomes in their children.

It is essential for people suffering from ADHD to discuss their medication with their health care providers regularly, and to reveal all other medications they are taking, including prescription drugs. Certain medications can interact with certain medications or trigger adverse reactions that are made worse by other medications.

Medication Monitoring

After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis, it is essential to monitor the patient's condition to ensure that he/she receives the benefits of the medication and doesn't experience any adverse side effects. It is recommended that a patient be seen for an initial medical check-up within 30 days of initiating treatment and then every month following that. This permits the proper titration medications used to treat adhd of psychostimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, to a well-tolerated and effective dose. This allows for a precise registration of the patient's response. It also assists in avoiding keeping sensitive patients taking insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses to unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).

For adults who do not respond well to stimulant medication or have intolerable side effects the use of non-stimulant drugs could be recommended. This is usually the case with atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.

Adults who suffer from ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring disorders such as mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. Additionally, they may suffer from persistent sleep disturbances or medical problems such as vision and hearing disorders. It is important to screen and assess these conditions in the initial assessment for ADHD because they could have a significant effects on functional impairment in adults.

ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. spouses feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses who suffer from ADHD and may be angry or resentful as a consequence. The way to reduce resentment is by increasing the patient's awareness of their condition, and assisting them to realize that the symptoms aren't due to an absence of willfulness or love. Couples who go through this type of therapy typically experience better family functioning.

Behavioral Therapy

For adults with ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include a cognitive-behavioral component. Behavioral therapy helps patients improve their organizational skills, focus and control their impulsive behaviors. It helps patients manage their work, home and social interactions more effectively. Psychotherapy can also help patients understand how their condition impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This can reduce the stigma and feelings of shame that are often felt by people with ADHD. They may be perceived by others as lazy or less intelligent.

Many psychiatric disorders may mimic ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. If it is necessary the presence of any other mental disorders should be assessed to determine whether ADHD symptoms are a result of them.

A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is usually recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is used, the results are better than treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to track and measure the effects of functional improvements, such as better functioning at school, workplace, and interpersonal relationships.