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.

Adults suffering from ADHD are most likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. They need to be monitored regularly. This includes monthly appointments with a doctor and regular reviews of side effects and symptoms.

Medicines

There are many drugs that can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are referred to as psychostimulants. they alter the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that pass messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will choose the right medication for you and will determine the most appropriate dosage and time to take it. It could take some time to determine the proper dosage and medication to control your symptoms.

The first medication doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. These medications increase the amount of dopamine that is present in your brain and norepinephrine which helps you to control your impulses and focus. They come in short-, intermediate-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last for about 6 hours, intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours, while long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer side effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medications, but they still can cause insomnia and changes in appetite.

Nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine (Strattera), are used to treat adult ADHD if stimulants do not work or cause unwanted side effects. These medicines don't affect 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 consumed once or two times a day.

Some adults with ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. These are called comorbid conditions and they can impact the way you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before beginning treatment for ADHD, it's important to address any comorbid issues. For instance, people who have a history of substance use disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until someone has stopped using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a method of therapy that involves discussing and talking about topics that cause anxiety or are disturbing for a person. The therapist offers guidance based upon his or her training, experience, credentials, and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term, (a few weeks or months), addressing more immediate issues, or Treatment of adhd in adults longer-term. The duration and frequency of the treatment is determined by the therapist and patient together.

The combination of psychotherapy and medication is an extremely effective method to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their abilities to organize their lives, manage their time and prioritizing; it can also teach strategies for managing emotions like anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms, increase focus, and result in better academic and work performance.

Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely of having co-existing disorders. This is especially true for mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing conditions. Treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types and doses of medication 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 which is being controlled requires knowledge of how various medications affect people over time and an understanding of the interactions between various medications.

It is essential to locate a therapist who has experience 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 responsibilities or work obligations.

Counseling

Adults with ADHD often face many problems in their lives, such as relationships and work problems. They also may experience anger, blame, and frustration that have accumulated in their lives because of their symptoms. Numerous psychosocial therapies have been proven effective in helping them and their families learn new behaviors, skills, and ways of communicating.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type psychotherapy that assists people in changing their habits and thoughts. 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. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms in adults suffering from ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson and colleagues. 2002).

In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD require counseling to deal with specific life difficulties. These may include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behavior, or difficulty managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can help develop skills to help deal with these situations and increase communication and problem-solving skills. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, especially add in adults treatment long-term marriages or other relationships.

Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These can help families deal with the stress of having a child suffering from ADHD and teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It also helps parents understand the disorder and develop parenting strategies that promote positive outcomes for their children.

It is essential for people with ADHD to discuss their medications with their healthcare providers regularly, and to inform them of all other medications they are taking, including over-the-counter drugs. Certain medications can cause side effects or interact with other medications.

Medication Monitoring

After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis is made, it is essential that the patient is monitored to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of the medication and is not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended to see patients for initial medical monitoring within 30 days of starting treatment and then every month after that. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this enables thorough titration to an effective dose that is well-tolerated. This allows for a precise registration of the patient's response and helps to avoid the patient from being kept taking insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses to excessively high levels (rapid metabolizers).

For adults who are not responding effectively to stimulant medications or have intolerable side effects the use of non-stimulant drugs could be recommended. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.

Adults suffering from ADHD are often affected by comorbid disorders like depression or drug abuse. They may also have medical issues like hearing and vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. It is important to screen and analyze these conditions as part of the initial assessment for ADHD because they can have a significant impact on functional impairment in adults.

Marital therapy can also be beneficial in managing ADHD. Spouses report feeling overburdened with the responsibilities of caring for their spouses with ADHD, and can become resentful or angry in response. Reducing resentment can be achieved by increasing the patient's understanding of his/her condition, and helping them understand Treatment of adhd in adults that the symptoms are not caused by an absence of affection or willfulness. Couples who go through this kind 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 can help patients to improve their ability to organize their lives, focus and control an impulsive behaviour. It teaches patients to manage their work, home and social interactions more effectively. Psychotherapy assists patients in understanding how their condition affects different areas of their life and relationships. This can help reduce the self-doubt and shame that is often seen in people with ADHD who are viewed as lazy or less intelligent.

ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by a variety of psychiatric disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. The presence of any other psychiatric problems should be assessed according to the need, to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are connected to them.

A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is generally recommended for Treatment of adhd in adults (Http://reali.esport.ge/user/pinmice6). It has been demonstrated that a combination of psychotherapy and medication produces better results than either treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to measure and track functional improvements such as improved functioning at school, workplace, and interpersonal relationships.