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Treatment of ADHD in Adults Adults with adhd are treated through medication, therapy and support from family members. Clinical trials are available to test new treatments for ADHD. Medicines There are many medications that can help 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 cells. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate medication for your needs and will determine the most effective dosage and schedule. It could take a while to determine the appropriate dosage and medication to control your symptoms. Stimulants are typically the first prescribed medication by doctors for adults with ADHD. These medications increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which increase your ability to concentrate and manage impulses. They are available in short-, intermediate-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last for up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medicines last for 8-10 hours. Long-acting drugs can last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely cause adverse reactions than shorter- or intermediate-acting medications. However, they can still cause sleepiness and change in appetite. Nonstimulant drugs, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) can be used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unwanted adverse negative effects. These medications do not alter your norepinephrine or dopamine, but they increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine and improve your ability to concentrate. These medications are in capsules and can be taken twice or once each day. Some adults with ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety. These are referred to as comorbid conditions and they can impact how you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbidities. For instance, people who have a history of substance use disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. This is why it's generally advised to wait until a person has removed themselves from using substances before evaluating treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD. Psychotherapy Psychotherapy involves discussing and discussing issues that cause distress or anxiety to the person. The therapist gives advice on the basis of his or her education, experience, credentials, and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term, (a few weeks or even months) and can address more immediate issues, or longer-term. The therapist and the patient determine the duration and frequency of treatment. The combination of psychotherapy and medication is an extremely effective way to treat adults with 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. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and improve focus, which leads to more efficient and successful academic and work performance. Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing conditions, particularly mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is crucial to treat any co-existing conditions. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different types and dosages of medication than the ones used to treat ADHD. A person with ADHD may also be suffering from hypertension. To pick a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms without causing instability to the patient's hypertension it is essential to understand how different medications affect individuals over time as well as the interactions between medications. It is essential to find a therapist who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD and with whom you feel at ease. It is important to schedule your first few sessions at times when you won't be distracted by family or work obligations. Counseling Adults with ADHD have many difficulties in their lives, such as difficulties in their relationships and at work. The person who has ADHD might also experience anger, frustration and guilt that has built up over time. Several psychosocial treatments have been proven to aid them and their families develop new behaviors, skills, and ways of connecting. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type psychotherapy that assists people in changing their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, skill training and practice, as well as teaching strategies to improve organization and self-esteem. It can be conducted in individual or group sessions. Metacognitive therapy has proven to significantly reduce symptoms among adults with ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson and colleagues. 2002). In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD also require counseling to address specific life challenges. These issues could include family conflicts, aggressive or impulsive behavior, and difficulties in dealing with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help you develop the skills to help deal with these situations and increase communication and problem-solving abilities. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, especially in long-term marriages or other partnerships. Other forms of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These therapies can help families cope and develop skills to lessen conflict and improve communication when dealing with a child who has ADHD. It also helps parents recognize the symptoms and develop parenting techniques that promote positive outcomes for their children. It is crucial for adults with ADHD to discuss their medication with their healthcare providers regularly, and to inform them of any other medications they're taking, including over-the-counter drugs. Certain medications can cause adverse effects or interact with other medications. Medication Monitoring After a thorough examination and diagnosis, it is crucial to monitor the patient to ensure that he/she reaps the benefits of the medication and doesn't experience side negative effects. It is recommended that a patient be examined for initial clinical monitoring within 30 days of beginning treatment and monthly afterward. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this allows for thorough titration to an effective and well-tolerated dose. This permits accurate recording of the patient's response. It also helps to avoid the patient from being kept on insufficient doses (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses to unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers). For adults who do not respond adequately to stimulant medication or suffer from uncontrollable side effects, the use of nonstimulant medications might be suggested. This typically involves the use of the methylphenidate based atomoxetine alternatives. Adults suffering from ADHD are often affected by comorbid conditions, like depression or substance abuse. They may also have medical problems like hearing and vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial evaluation for ADHD it is crucial to screen for these conditions and then evaluate them. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments for adults. Marital therapy can also be beneficial in the management of ADHD. spouses feel overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses suffering from ADHD and may become resentful or angry as a consequence. Increasing the patient's awareness of the symptoms of his/her illness and helping them understand that these aren't impulsive actions or a lack of affection can help to reduce marital tensions and resentment. Couples who go through this kind of therapy typically experience better family functioning. Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is typically advised. It should include a cognitive and behavioral component. Behavioral therapy assists patients in learning to improve their organizational skills and focus, as well as control impulsive behavior. It teaches patients to manage their work, home and social interactions more effectively. Psychotherapy also helps patients understand how their disorder impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This can reduce the stigma and feelings of shame that are often felt by people suffering from ADHD. They could be perceived by others as lazy or inexperienced. ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by a variety of psychiatric disorders. For example anxiety disorders are found at high rates in adult ADHD patients and depression is seen at increased levels in those suffering from the disorder. The presence of other psychiatric problems should be evaluated, as appropriate, to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are related to them. A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is typically recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been demonstrated that when a combination of medication and psychotherapy is used, the results are better than treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies should aim to track and measure the improvement in functional aspects such as improved functioning at school, workplace and interpersonal relationships. |
