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Treatment of ADHD in Adults

Treatment of adhd in adults includes therapy, medication and family support. People can also participate in clinical trials to test new ways of treating ADHD.

Adults with ADHD are more likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. They need to be monitored regularly. This includes regular appointments with a physician and frequent examinations of symptoms.

Medications

A variety of medications can be utilized to reduce the symptoms of untreated adhd in adults test in adults. These are known as psychostimulants, and they work by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will choose the appropriate medication for you and will decide on the most appropriate dosage and schedule. It could take a while to find the right dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.

The first medication doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. They increase the amount of dopamine found in your brain and norepinephrine which allows you to manage your thoughts and improve your focus. They are available in short-, intermediateand long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants can last up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours. Long-acting stimulants last from 8 to 16. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause adverse effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medicines, but they still cause insomnia and changes in appetite.

Nonstimulant drugs, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera), can be used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unpleasant adverse negative effects. These medicines do not affect your dopamine or norepinephrine however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain and increase your ability to focus. These medications are in capsules and can be taken once or twice each day.

Some adults with ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, including depression and anxiety. These conditions are referred to as comorbidities and can influence how you respond to ADHD treatment. It is important to address any comorbid disorders prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. People with a history substance abuse disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until a person has quit using drugs before treating them with stimulants.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is an interactive process of talking and discussing issues that may be disturbing or troubling to someone. The therapist provides guidance based upon his or her education, experience, credentials and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a couple of weeks or months), addressing more immediate issues, or more long-term. The therapist and patient decide on the length and frequency of therapy.

Psychotherapy and medication together are an extremely effective method to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy helps people improve their abilities to organize their lives, manage their time and prioritizing; it can also teach methods to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms, increase concentration and improve academic and work performance.

Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing conditions, particularly mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is essential to treat any co-existing condition. Treatment of co-existing disorders could require different types and doses of medication than the ones used to treat ADHD.

A person who suffers from ADHD can also have hypertension. Choosing a medication that treats the ADHD symptoms but doesn't affect the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires understanding how different medications affect people over time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between various medications.

It is essential to find an therapy provider with whom you have a an excellent relationship and who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. It's important to schedule your first few sessions at times when you will not be distracted by work or family obligations.

Counseling

Adults who suffer from ADHD often have many issues in their lives, including work and relationship problems. A person with ADHD may be prone to anger, frustration and blame that has built up over time. Several psychosocial treatments have been proven to aid their families and patients learn new behaviors, skills, and ways of communicating.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that assists people in changing their thinking and behavior. It involves setting goals, training and the practice of skills, and strategies for teaching that help improve self-esteem and organizational skills. This can be accomplished individually or in a group setting. Certain studies have demonstrated that treatment for metacognitive disorders can reduce symptoms and improve functioning in adults with ADHD (Stevenson et al, 2002).

In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD require counseling to address specific life issues. These may include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behaviors, or difficulty managing failures and disappointments. Counseling can help teach strategies to manage these situations, improve communication, and increase problem-solving capabilities. It can also improve relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term partnerships.

Other forms of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy and supportive group therapy. These can help families cope with the stress of having a child suffering from ADHD and teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can aid parents understand the disorder, and develop parenting techniques that promote positive outcomes for their children.

Adults with ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their doctor and disclose any other medications, such as over-the counter drugs. Certain medications can interact with certain medications or trigger adverse effects that are exacerbated by other medicines.

Medication Monitoring

After a thorough assessment and diagnosis, it is essential to monitor the patient's progress to ensure that he/she receives the benefits of the medication and does not suffer from side effects. It is recommended that a patient be seen for initial clinical monitoring within 30 days of starting treatment, and every month afterward. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this enables complete titration to an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This permits accurate recording of the patient's response. It also assists in avoiding having sensitive patients remain on doses that are not sufficient (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses onto excessively high levels (rapid metabolizers).

For adults who do not respond well to stimulant medication or experience uncontrollable side effects the use of nonstimulant medication could be recommended. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine, or other alternatives to methylphenidate.

Adults with ADHD often have comorbid disorders like mood disorder or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. They may also suffer from medical conditions like hearing or vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. It is important to screen and evaluate such conditions in the initial assessment for ADHD because they can have a significant effects on functional impairment in adults.

Marital therapy can be helpful in managing ADHD. Many spouses report that they feel overburdened by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses with adhd treatment for adults without medication and may become resentful and angry in the process. Reducing resentment can be achieved by enhancing the patient's awareness of their condition, and helping them to understand that the symptoms aren't caused by an absence of willfulness or love. Couples who go through this kind of therapy generally experience a better family functioning.

Behavioral Therapy

For adults with ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate an element of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy assists patients in improving their organizational skills, focus and control their impulsive behaviors. It helps patients learn to manage their work, social, and home situations more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition affects different areas of their life and relationships. This can help decrease the shame and low self-esteem that is often seen in people with ADHD who are thought of as lazy or insufficiently intelligent.

Many psychiatric disorders mimic ADHD symptoms. For example anxiety disorders are seen at high rates in adults ADHD patients and depression is observed at higher levels in adults with the disorder. The presence of other psychiatric problems should be evaluated in order to determine if the patient's adult adhd diagnosis and treatment symptoms are linked to them.

Adults with ADHD are usually treated using a combination of pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy. It has been demonstrated that when a combination of medication and psychotherapy is used results are more favorable than treatment on its own. Future controlled studies will aim to measure and assess the effects of functional improvement, like improved functioning in school as well as in the workplace and interpersonal relations.