Treatment of ADHD in Adults

Treatment for adhd in adults is based on therapy, medication and support from family members. Clinical trials are available to test new treatments for ADHD.

The stimulant medications are the most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. They need to be monitored regularly. That includes monthly clinical appointments, and frequent reviews of symptoms and side effects.

Medicines

There are many medications that can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are referred to as psychostimulants. They function by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will recommend the best medication for you and determine the most effective dose and time to take it. It could take a while to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that control your symptoms.

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

Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine, (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD in cases where stimulants don't work or cause unwanted side effects. These medications do not alter your norepinephrine or dopamine however they do increase the brain's supply of norepinephrine, which improves your focus. These capsules are consumed once or twice daily.

Certain adults suffering from ADHD may also suffer from other psychiatric disorders, like anxiety and depression. These conditions are referred to as comorbidities and may affect your response to ADHD treatment. It's important to treat any comorbidities prior to starting treatment for ADHD. For instance, people who have an history of using substances disorder may be more likely to use psychostimulants. It is recommended to wait until a person has quit 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 for a person. The therapist provides guidance on the basis of his or her training, experience, credentials, and the therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with issues that are more immediate or longer-term (months or years) in which a patient is working on more complex and long-standing issues. The therapist and the patient decide on the length and frequency of treatment.

The use of psychotherapy and drugs together is a highly effective treatment for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can assist people improve their time management, organizational skills, and prioritizing. It can also teach techniques to manage emotions like anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms, improve concentration and improve academic and work performance.

Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely of co-existing illnesses. This is especially applicable to mood disorders like anxiety and depression. It is crucial that any co-existing conditions be addressed prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different forms and dosages of medication than that used to treat ADHD.

A person suffering from ADHD may also be suffering from hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms but doesn't affect the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires knowledge of how various medications affect individuals over time and an understanding of the interactions between various medications.

It's important that you locate a therapist who has experience treating adults with ADHD and with whom you are comfortable. It's important to schedule your initial sessions at a time that you will not be distracted by work or family obligations.

Counseling

Adults suffering from ADHD typically face a variety of issues in their lives, including relationships and work issues. They also may experience anger, blame and frustration that have accumulated in their lives because of their symptoms. Psychosocial therapies can aid patients and their families to develop new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people alter their habits and thoughts. It includes goal-setting, skill training and practice, as well as 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 in adults suffering from ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson, et al., 2002).

Certain people with ADHD may also require counseling to help them overcome particular issues in their lives. These may include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, or difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help you develop the skills to help deal with these situations and enhance the ability to communicate and solve problems. It can also help improve relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.

Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy and supportive group therapy. These can assist families to cope with the anxiety of having a child with ADHD and teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can help parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting strategies that promote positive outcomes for their children.

It is crucial for people with ADHD to discuss their medications with their healthcare providers regularly, and to disclose all other medications they are taking, including prescription drugs. Some medications can interact with specific medications or cause adverse effects that are exacerbated by other medicines.

Medication Monitoring

After a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis is made, it is important that the patient be monitored to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of the medication and not experiencing any adverse side effects. It is recommended that a patient be referred for a first clinical examination within 30 days of beginning treatment and then every month afterward. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines, methylphenidate) this allows for complete titration to an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response. It also assists in avoiding having sensitive patients remain taking insufficient doses (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses to excessively high levels (rapid metabolizers).

For adults who do not respond well to stimulant medication or experience uncontrollable side effects the use of non-stimulant drugs may be indicated. This is usually the case with atomoxetine or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.

Adults suffering from ADHD typically suffer from comorbid disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. In addition, they may experience persistent sleep disturbances or medical problems such as hearing and vision problems. It is important to screen and evaluate such conditions in the initial evaluation for ADHD since these can have significant effects on functional impairment in adults.

Marital therapy is also useful in the treatment of ADHD. Couples complain of being overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses suffering from ADHD, and can become resentful or angry in response. increasing the awareness of the patient about the symptoms of his/her illness and helping to understand that these aren't impulsive actions or lack of love can reduce marital conflict and resentment. Couples who go through this type of therapy typically experience better family functioning.

Behavioral Therapy

For those who suffer from ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate a cognitive-behavioral component. Behavioral therapy helps patients learn to improve their abilities to manage their time and focus and control their the impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their work, home, and social situations more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their disorder impacts different areas of their life and relationships. This helps reduce the shame and low-esteem that are often seen among adults with ADHD. They could be perceived by others as being lazy or less intelligent.

ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by various psychiatric disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. The presence of other mental health problems should be evaluated according to the need, to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are related to them.

Adults with ADHD are usually treated with a combination of pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy. It has been established that a combination of psychotherapy and medication can produce better results than either therapy by itself. Future controlled studies will aim to track and evaluate functional improvements, such as improved functioning in school, the workplace, and interpersonal relations.