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Treatment of ADHD in Adults

Treatment for adhd in adults is based on therapy, medication and support from family members. Individuals can also take part in clinical trials that test new methods of treating ADHD.

The stimulant medications are the most effective drugs for adults with ADHD. But they need to be monitored regularly. This means monthly appointments with a doctor and frequent reviews of symptoms.

Medications

There are many drugs that can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are called psychostimulants and they alter the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) which transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will choose a medication that's right for you and will determine the most appropriate dosage and time to take it. It may take a while to find the right medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.

Stimulants are often the first medication doctors prescribe for adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs increase the amount of dopamine in your brain, and also norepinephrine which aids in controlling your thoughts and improve your focus. They are available in short-, intermediateand long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last for about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medicines last 8-10 hours, and long-acting medicines last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have less negative effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medications, but they can still cause insomnia and changes in appetite.

Nonstimulant medications, like Atomoxetine (Strattera) can be used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unwanted side negative effects. These medications don't affect your dopamine or Treatment of adhd in adults norepinephrine levels, but they increase the brain's supply of norepinephrine and improve your ability to concentrate. These medications are available in capsules and are taken once or twice each day.

Some adults with ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, including depression and anxiety. These conditions are known as comorbidities and can affect how you respond to ADHD treatment. Before starting treatment for ADHD, it's important to address any comorbid issues. People who have a history of addiction to drugs are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. This is why it is generally recommended to wait until the person has removed themselves from using substances before evaluating treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a process that involves talking and discussing topics that cause anxiety or are disturbing to the person. The therapist gives advice based upon his or her training, experience, credentials, and the philosophy of therapy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with immediate issues or more long-term (months or years) in which a person is working to address more complex and long-standing issues. The patient and therapist determine the duration and frequency of therapy.

The use of psychotherapy and drugs together is an extremely effective treatment option for adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their ability to manage their time, organize and prioritizing; it can also teach strategies to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms, improve concentration and improve academic and work performance.

Adults with ADHD have a higher risk of co-existing illnesses. This is especially true for mood disorders like anxiety and depression. It is essential that any co-existing condition be treated before beginning treatment for adhd adults for ADHD. The treatment of co-existing conditions may require different types of medications and dosages than the ones that are used to treat ADHD.

A person suffering from ADHD may also suffer from hypertension. To choose a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing destabilization of the patient's hypertension it is essential to know how different medications affect individuals over time and the interactions between medications.

It's crucial to find a therapist who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD and with whom you are at ease. It is crucial to schedule your initial sessions at times when you aren't distracted by work or family obligations.

Counseling

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

Psychotherapy may include cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy that assists individuals modify their thinking and behavior. It involves setting goals, training and the practice of skills, as well as strategies for teaching that help improve self-esteem and organizational skills. It can be done in a private or in a group setting. Some studies have shown that metacognitive treatment can significantly reduce symptoms and improve performance in adults with ADHD (Stevenson and co-authors, 2002).

In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also need counseling to address specific issues. This could include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behavior, or difficulty managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can help you develop the skills to help manage these situations and improve communication and problem-solving abilities. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term partnerships.

Other types 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 suffering from ADHD. It can help parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting methods that encourage positive results in their children.

Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medications regularly with their physicians and also disclose any other medications, including over-the drug products. Some medications can interact with specific medications or cause adverse effects that are exacerbated by other medicines.

Medication Monitoring

After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis, it is crucial to monitor the patient's progress to ensure that he/she receives the benefits of the medication and doesn't experience side adverse effects. It is recommended to visit patients for initial clinical assessment within 30 days of beginning treatment, and then every month following that. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines, methylphenidate) this allows for the gradual titration of an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response and assists in avoiding the patient from being kept on doses that are not sufficient (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses on unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).

Adults who aren't responding well to stimulant medication or have side effects that are intolerable might benefit from non-stimulant drugs. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate alternatives.

Adults suffering from ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring disorders like mood disorder or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. Moreover, they may have persistent sleep disturbances or medical issues such as hearing and vision disorders. It is essential to identify and evaluate such conditions in the initial evaluation for ADHD since these can have significant impact on functional impairment in adults.

ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. Spouses report feeling overburdened with the responsibilities of caring for their spouses suffering from ADHD, and can become angry or resentful in response. The way to reduce resentment is by enhancing the understanding of the condition, and assisting them understand that the symptoms are not due to an absence of affection or willfulness. Couples who go through this kind of therapy tend to have better functioning families.

Behavioral Therapy

For those who suffer from ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include a cognitive-behavioral component. Behavioral therapy helps patients learn to improve their organizational skills, focus and control the impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their home, work and social settings more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their disorder impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help decrease the shame and low self-esteem that is often seen in those with ADHD who are viewed as inept or unintelligent.

ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by various psychiatric disorders. For instance anxiety disorders are seen at a high rate in adult ADHD patients, and depression is found at higher levels in adults with the disorder. The presence of other psychiatric problems should be assessed in order to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are related to them.

A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is typically recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is employed results are more favorable than treatment on its own. Future controlled studies must attempt to track and measure the improvement in functional aspects such as improved performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.