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Treatment of ADHD in Adults

Adults suffering from adhd are treated with therapy, medication and support from the family. Individuals can also take part in clinical trials that test new ways of treating ADHD.

Stimulant medications are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. They need to be monitored regularly. This includes monthly clinical appointments and frequent review of symptoms.

Medicines

There are a variety of medications that can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are known as psychostimulants and they affect the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) which transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will recommend a medication that's right for you and will decide the best dose and schedule to take it. It may take some time to determine the proper dosage and medication that will control your symptoms.

The first drug that doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. These medications increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, which increase your ability to concentrate and control impulses. The medications are available in short-, medium-and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants can last up to up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours. Long-acting drugs can last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause adverse effects than shorterand intermediate-acting medications, but they can still cause an increase in appetite and sleepiness.

Nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine, (Strattera), are used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause unwanted adverse effects. These medicines do not affect your norepinephrine or dopamine levels however they increase the amount of norepinephrine that's available to your brain, and improve your ability to focus. These medicines come in capsule form and are taken twice or once a day.

Some people with ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety. These conditions are referred to as comorbidities and may affect your response to ADHD treatment. It is essential to treat any comorbid conditions before starting treatment for ADHD. People with a history addiction to drugs are more likely to use psychostimulants. It is best to wait until someone has stopped using drugs before using stimulants.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy involves talking and discussing topics that cause distress or anxiety to the person. The therapist listens and offers advice based on their education, training as well as experience, professional credentials and therapeutic theories. Psychotherapy could be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with more immediate challenges or more long-term (months or years) in which a patient is attempting to resolve more complicated and longstanding issues. The duration and frequency of treatment are determined by the therapist and the patient together.

The combination of psychotherapy and medication together is an extremely effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their organizational skills, time management and prioritizing; it can also teach strategies for managing emotions like anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms, improve focus and lead to better work and academic performance.

Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to be affected by co-existing conditions, particularly mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. It is important that any co-existing conditions be treated before beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment for co-existing disorders might require different types and dosages of medication than the ones used to treat ADHD.

For instance, a patient who suffers from ADHD might also be suffering from hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms, but does not alter the patient's hypertension that is controlled requires understanding how different medications affect people over time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between different medications.

It's crucial to locate a therapist who has had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you are comfortable. It is important to schedule your initial sessions at a time when you aren't distracted by work or family obligations.

Counseling

Adults who suffer from ADHD often face many life challenges, including work and relationship problems. A person with ADHD may be prone to anger, frustration and guilt that has developed over time. Numerous psychosocial therapies have been proven to help their families and patients learn new behaviors, skills, and ways of communicating.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that helps people change their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, training and practicing of skills, as well as strategies for teaching that help improve self-esteem and organizational skills. It may be done in group or individual sessions. Metacognitive therapy has been proven to significantly reduce symptoms in adults suffering from ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson, et al. 2002).

In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD require counseling to address specific difficulties. These challenges may include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, and difficulty coping with failures and disappointments. Counseling can teach techniques to deal with these situations and enhance the ability to communicate and solve problems. It can also help improve interpersonal relationships, especially in long-term marriages or other relationships.

Other forms of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These can help families deal with the anxiety of having a child with ADHD and teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflicts. It can assist parents understand the condition, and develop parenting techniques that encourage positive outcomes in their children.

It is crucial for people suffering from ADHD to discuss their medication with their health care providers regularly, and to disclose all other medications they are taking, including any over-the-counter medications. Certain medications can cause side effects or interact with other medications.

Medication Monitoring

After a thorough assessment and diagnosis, it is crucial to monitor the patient's condition to ensure that the patient receives the benefits of the medication and does not experience any adverse side negative effects. It is recommended to consult a patient for the initial medical monitoring within 30 days of starting treatment, and then every month thereafter. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines) this allows for the gradual titration of an effective dose that is well-tolerated. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response and assists in avoiding keeping sensitive patients taking insufficient doses (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses to unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).

Adults who aren't responding well to stimulant medication or suffer from adverse effects that are unpalatable could benefit from non-stimulant medications. This usually involves the use the methylphenidate based atomoxetine alternatives.

Adults who suffer from ADHD are frequently affected by comorbid disorders, like depression or substance abuse. Additionally,  adhd treatments adults  may suffer from chronic sleep disturbances or medical issues such as hearing and vision disorders. It is essential to identify and assess these conditions in the initial evaluation for ADHD since these can have significant effects on functional impairment in adults.

Marital therapy can be helpful in managing ADHD. Couples often say that they feel overburdened by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses with ADHD and can become resentful and angry as a result. Increasing the patient's awareness of the symptoms of his/her condition and helping to understand that these aren't willful actions or a lack of love can reduce marital conflict and resentment. Couples who go through this type of therapy are more likely to have better functioning families.

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 manage impulsive behavior. It helps patients learn to manage their social, work, and home situations more efficiently. Psychotherapy also helps patients understand how their condition affects different areas of their lives and relationships. This can reduce the shame and low-esteem that are commonly seen in people suffering from ADHD. They may be viewed by others as being lazy or inexperienced.

ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by various mental disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from anxiety disorders and depression. The presence of any other psychiatric problems should be assessed, as appropriate, to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are connected to them.

A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been shown that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is employed, the results are better than treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to measure and track the effects of functional improvements, such as better performance at work, school and interpersonal relationships.