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Treatment of ADHD in Adults

Treatment for adults with adhd includes therapy, medication and support from family members. Individuals can also take part in clinical trials to try new ways of treating ADHD.

Adults with ADHD are more likely to benefit from stimulant medications. They need to be monitored regularly. This means monthly appointments with a doctor and regular reviews of symptoms.

Medications

Numerous medications can be used to reduce the symptoms of ADHD among adults. They are known as 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 determine the most effective dose and time to take it. It may take some time to determine the proper dosage and medication that control your symptoms of untreated adhd.

Stimulants are usually the first line treatment for adhd in adults prescribed medication by doctors for adults suffering from untreated adhd in adults. These medicines increase the amounts of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which enhances your ability to focus and manage impulses. The medications are available in short-, medium-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants can last for up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours. Long-acting stimulants last from 8 to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have less side effects than shorterand intermediate-acting drugs, however they can still cause an increase in appetite and sleepiness.

Nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine (Strattera), are used to treat adult ADHD in cases where stimulants don't work or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medicines do not affect your dopamine or norepinephrine, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain and improve your ability to concentrate. These medicines come in capsules and are taken twice or once each day.

Certain adults who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. These are known as comorbid disorders and they can impact the way you respond to treatment for ADHD. It is important to address any comorbidities prior to starting treatment for ADHD. People who have a history of substance abuse disorder are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until a person has quit using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a process that involves discussing and discussing issues that cause anxiety or are disturbing to the person. The therapist offers guidance based upon his or her qualifications, experience, training, and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term, (a few weeks or months) or addressing more immediate issues, or more long-term. The duration and frequency of treatment is decided by the therapist and the patient together.

Psychotherapy and medication together are a highly effective way to treat adults suffering from 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. Medication can reduce symptoms and increase focus, which leads to more productive and effective academic and work performance.

Adults with ADHD are more likely to be affected by co-existing issues, especially mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. It is essential that any co-existing condition be treated before beginning treatment for ADHD. The treatment of co-existing conditions could require different types of medications and dosages than the medications prescribed to treat ADHD.

For example, a person with ADHD could also be suffering from hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms, but does not alter the patient's tentatively controlled hypertension requires knowledge of how various medications affect individuals over time and an understanding of the interactions between different medications.

It's crucial to locate a therapist who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD and with whom you feel comfortable. It's important to schedule your first few sessions at a time when you will not be distracted by family or work obligations.

Counseling

Adults with ADHD often face many life challenges, including relationships and work issues. People with ADHD can also experience frustration, anger and blame that have developed over time. Psychosocial therapies can aid patients and their families develop new skills, attitudes and ways of relating.

Psychotherapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy that assists individuals change their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, skill training and practice, as well as methods of teaching to improve organization and self-esteem. It may be done in individual or group sessions. A few studies have proven that treatment for metacognitive disorders can reduce symptoms and improve performance in adults with ADHD (Stevenson and colleagues 2002).

Some people suffering from ADHD may also require therapy to help them overcome certain life challenges. These could include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behavior, or difficulty managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can teach the how to handle these situations, improve communication, and improve problem-solving skills. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term relationships.

Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy as well as supportive group therapy. These can help families deal with the anxiety of having a child who has ADHD, as well as develop skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can also help parents learn about the disorder and develop parenting strategies that encourage positive outcomes for their children.

Adults suffering from alternative adhd treatment for adults must discuss their medication regularly with their doctors and disclose any other medications, including over the prescription drugs. Certain medications can cause side effects or interact with other medications.

Medication Monitoring

After a thorough examination and diagnosis, it is crucial to monitor the patient's condition to ensure that he/she receives the benefits of the medication and does not suffer from side effects. It is recommended to visit a patient for the initial clinical assessment within 30 days of starting treatment and every month after that. This permits an accurate titration of psychostimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate to a well-tolerated, effective dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response. It also assists in avoiding keeping sensitive patients on doses that are not sufficient (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses on unnecessarily 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 could be recommended. This is usually the case with the methylphenidate based atomoxetine alternatives.

Adults with ADHD often have comorbid disorders like mood disorder or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. 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 in the initial evaluation for ADHD because they can have a significant impact on functional impairment in adults.

ADHD can also be treated through marital therapy. Spouses often report that they feel overburdened by the responsibilities to care for their spouses with ADHD and may become resentful and angry as a result. The way to reduce resentment is by enhancing the patient's awareness of their condition, and assisting them to realize that the symptoms aren't caused by a lack in willfulness or love. Couples who go through this kind of therapy generally experience a better family functioning.

Behavioral Therapy

For people who suffer from ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate the cognitive-behavioral aspect. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their abilities to manage their time, focus and control the impulsive behavior. It teaches patients to manage their work, home and social interactions more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition affects various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help reduce the shame and low self-esteem that is often seen in those with ADHD, who may be considered lazy or insufficiently intelligent.

ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by various psychiatric disorders. For example, anxiety disorders occur at high rates in adults ADHD patients, and depression is found at increased levels in people suffering from the disorder. The presence of other psychiatric problems should be evaluated in order to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are related to them.

Adults with ADHD are usually treated with an amalgamation of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been proven that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is utilized results are more favorable than the results of either treatment alone. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to track and measure the effects of functional improvements, such as better performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.