Treatment of ADHD in Adults

Adults who suffer from adhd are treated through medication, therapy and support from family members. Patients can also take part in clinical trials that test new natural ways to treat adhd of treating ADHD.

Stimulant medication is the most effective medications for adults with ADHD. However, they must be closely monitored. This includes regular clinical appointments and regular reviews of symptoms and side effects.

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) which 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 could take a while to determine the appropriate dosage and medication to control your symptoms.

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

Nonstimulant medications, like atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants aren’t effective or cause undesirable side negative effects. These medications do not alter your dopamine or norepinephrine levels, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine and improve your concentration. These medicines come in capsules and can be taken twice or once every day.

Some adults with adhd symptoms in adults treatment have co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety or depression. These disorders are referred to as comorbidities and can affect how you respond to ADHD treatment. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is important 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 treating them 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 provides guidance based upon his or her education, experience, credentials and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks or even months), addressing more immediate issues, or longer-term. The duration and frequency of therapy is determined by the therapist and the patient together.

The use of psychotherapy and drugs together is an extremely effective treatment for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help individuals improve their time management, organizational skills, and prioritizing. It can also teach strategies to manage emotions such as anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and improve focus, leading to more productive and effective academic and work.

Adults with ADHD have a higher risk of co-existing conditions. This is particularly relevant for mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. It is crucial that any co-existing disorders be treated before beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment of co-existing disorders could require different forms and dosages of non medication treatment for adhd than that used to treat ADHD.

A person suffering from ADHD can also have hypertension. To select a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without destabilizing the patient’s hypertension it is essential to know how different medications affect individuals over time as well as the interactions between medications.

It is important to choose an therapist with whom you have good relations, and who has experience treating adhd naturally adults with ADHD. It is crucial to schedule your first few sessions at a time that you aren’t distracted by family or work obligations.

Counseling

Adults with ADHD have many difficulties in their lives, such as issues at work and with relationships. They also may experience anger, blame, and frustration that have accumulated in their lives due to their symptoms. Psychosocial treatments can help patients and their families to develop new abilities, attitudes and ways of relating.

Psychotherapy can include cognitive behavior therapy, a form of psychotherapy that assists individuals change their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, and teaching strategies for improving self-esteem and organization. It can be carried out 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 co-authors, 2002).

Some people with ADHD might also require counseling to help them overcome specific issues in their lives. This could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulties coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help develop strategies to manage these situations, improve communication and improve problem-solving skills. It can also improve relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.

Other forms of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These therapies can assist families in coping and learn skills to reduce conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child who has ADHD. It can aid parents understand the disorder, and develop parenting techniques that promote positive outcomes for their children.

Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their physicians and also disclose any other medications, including over-the drug products. Certain medications can trigger adverse effects or interact with other medications.

Medication Monitoring

After a thorough examination and diagnosis is made it is crucial to monitor the patient to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of the medication and not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended to see patients for initial clinical assessment within 30 days of beginning treatment, and then every month following that. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines) this allows for a thorough titration to an effective dose that is well-tolerated. This allows for accurate registration of the patient’s response. It also assists in avoiding having sensitive patients remain taking insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses on unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).

Adults who aren’t responding well to stimulant medications or who have side effects that are intolerable may benefit from nonstimulant medications. 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 non medical treatment for adhd conditions like hearing or vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. It is essential to identify and evaluate such conditions in the initial evaluation for ADHD because they could have a significant impact on functional impairment in adults.

ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. Spouses report feeling overburdened with the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses with ADHD, and can become resentful or angry in response. The way to reduce resentment is by increasing the patient’s understanding of the condition, and assisting them understand that the symptoms are not due to a lack in willfulness or love. Couples who go through this kind of therapy generally experience a better family functioning.

Behavioral Therapy

Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is usually advised. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their ability to organize their lives, focus and control impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their social, work and home environments more efficiently. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition affects various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can reduce the stigma and feelings of shame that are commonly seen in adults with ADHD. They could be viewed by others as lazy or unintelligent.

Many psychiatric disorders can mimic ADHD symptoms. For instance anxiety disorders are seen at a high rate in adult ADHD patients, and depression is found at higher levels in people suffering from the disorder. The presence of any other psychiatric problems should be assessed according to the need, to determine whether or not the patient’s ADHD symptoms are linked to them.

Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated using a combination of pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy. It has been established that the combination of psychotherapy and medication produces better results than either treatment by itself. Future controlled medication studies will try to measure and assess the effects of functional improvement, like improved functioning in school as well as in the workplace and interpersonal relationships.