Treatment of ADHD in Adults

Adults suffering from adhd are treated with therapy, medication and support from family members. Clinical trials are available to test new treatments for ADHD.

Stimulant medication is the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD. However, they must be constantly monitored. This includes regular clinical appointments as well as frequent reviews of side effects and symptoms.

Medicines

There are many drugs 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 cell. Your doctor will select the right medication for you and determine the most effective dose and time to take it. It could take a while to find the right dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.

The first drug that doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. These medications used to treat adhd increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in your brain, which enhances your ability to concentrate and manage impulses. They are available in short-, intermediate-- and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last for up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medicines last for 8-10 hours. Long-acting drugs last up to 16. Long-acting stimulants have less adverse effects than shorterand intermediate-acting drugs, however they still cause an increase in appetite and sleepiness.

Nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine (Strattera), are used to treat adults with ADHD if stimulants do not work or cause unwanted side effects. These medicines do not affect your norepinephrine or dopamine, but they increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine and improve your focus. The capsules are taken one or twice daily.

Certain adults suffering from ADHD may also suffer from other psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression. These conditions are referred to as comorbidities and may influence how you respond to ADHD treatment. It is important to address any comorbidities prior to starting treatment for ADHD. Patients with a history of substance abuse disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. Because of this, it's often advisable to wait until a person has stopped using substances before considering treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a process that involves discussing and talking about topics that cause anxiety or are disturbing to the person. The therapist offers guidance on the basis of his or her qualifications, experience, training, and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues, or long-term (months or years) in which a patient is working to address more complicated and longstanding issues. The therapist and the patient determine the duration and frequency of treatment.

Psychotherapy and medication are an extremely effective method to treat adults with ADHD. psychotherapy that helps individuals change their behavior and thinking. 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 conducted in individual or group sessions. Some studies have shown that metacognitive treatment can significantly reduce symptoms and improve functioning for adults suffering from ADHD (Stevenson and colleagues, 2002).

In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD also need counseling to deal with specific life issues. These could include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, or difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can teach the how to handle these situations, improve communication and enhance problem-solving abilities. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, especially in long-term marriages or other partnerships.

Family therapy and support groups therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that can be utilized to treat ADHD. These can help families cope with the anxiety of having a child who has ADHD and help improve communication and reduce conflict. It can also assist parents to recognize the symptoms and develop parenting techniques that encourage positive outcomes for their children.

It is essential for adults with ADHD to discuss their medications with their healthcare providers regularly, and to reveal all other medications they're taking, including non prescription adhd treatment drugs. Certain medications may interact with certain medications or cause side effects that are worsened by other medications.

Medication Monitoring

After a thorough assessment and diagnosis, it is important to monitor the patient to ensure that he/she reaps the benefits of the medication and does not experience any adverse side negative effects. It is recommended to visit the patient for the initial medical monitoring within 30 days after starting treatment and every month thereafter. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this enables thorough titration to an effective dose that is well-tolerated. This permits accurate recording of the patients' response and helps to avoid keeping a patients who are sensitive to doses that are too low.

For adults who do not respond effectively to stimulant medications or have intolerable side effects the use of nonstimulant medications may be indicated. Most often, this is the use of atomoxetine, or other alternatives to methylphenidate.

Adults who suffer from ADHD are frequently affected by comorbid disorders like depression or drug abuse. They might also be suffering from 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 evaluation for ADHD because they can have a significant effects on functional impairment in adults.

ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. Couples complain of being overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses suffering from ADHD and can become angry or resentful as a consequence. Reduced resentment can be achieved by enhancing the understanding of his/her condition, and helping them to understand that the symptoms aren't the result of an absence of love or willfulness. Couples who go through this type of therapy are more likely to have better functioning families.

Behavioral Therapy

Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is generally suggested. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy can help patients improve their organizational skills, focus, and control impulsive behaviors. It helps patients manage their social, work, and home situations more efficiently. Psychotherapy also helps patients understand how their condition affects different areas of their lives and relationships. This can help decrease the self-doubt and shame that is commonly seen in those with ADHD who are viewed as lazy or less intelligent.

Many psychiatric disorders can be akin to ADHD symptoms. For example anxiety disorders are found at a higher rate in adults ADHD patients and depression is seen in greater numbers among adults with the disorder. The presence of other mental health problems should be assessed in order to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are linked to them.

A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is typically recommended for the treatment of untreated adhd in female adults symptoms in adults. It has been proven that the combination of psychotherapy and medication produces better results than either treatment by itself. Future controlled medication studies will try to track and evaluate functional improvements, such as improvement in school performance or at work, as well as interpersonal relations.