adhd symptoms and treatment of ADHD in Adults
Treatment for adults with adhd is based on therapy, medication and support from family members. Clinical trials are being conducted to test new treatments for ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD are most likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. But they need to be constantly monitored. This means monthly appointments with a doctor and frequent examinations of symptoms.
Medicines
Many medications can be used to treat symptoms of ADHD among adults. These medications are called psychostimulants. They function by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will recommend a medication that's right for you and will determine the most effective dose and time to take it. It could take some time to determine the appropriate medication and dosage that controls 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 enhances your ability to focus and control impulses. These medications are available in short-, mediumand long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last for about 6 hours, intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours, while long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely cause side effects than intermediate- or shorter-acting medications. However, they can induce sleepiness and a change in appetite.
Nonstimulant medications, like Atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause unwanted adverse consequences. These medications do not alter your norepinephrine or dopamine, but they increase your brain's availability of norepinephrine and improve your concentration. These capsules are taken once or two times a day.
Certain adults who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety. These disorders are referred to as comorbidities and may influence how you respond to ADHD treatment. Before beginning treatment for ADHD, it's important to address any comorbidities. People who have a history of addiction to drugs are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It is best to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before treating them with stimulants.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process that involves discussing and talking about topics that are troubling or disturbing to a person. The therapist provides guidance in accordance with their training, experience, credentials, and the philosophy of therapy. Psychotherapy could be short-term (a few weeks or months) dealing with more immediate challenges or longer-term (months or years) in which a patient is working on more complicated and longstanding issues. The duration and frequency of the treatment is determined by the therapist and patient together.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication is an extremely effective method to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their abilities to organize their lives, manage their time and prioritizing. It can also teach methods for managing emotions such as anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms, increase concentration and improve academic and work performance.
Adults with ADHD have a higher likelihood of having co-existing disorders. This is especially relevant for mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Before starting treatment for ADHD, it is important to treat any co-existing disorders. The treatment of co-existing disorders might require different kinds of medications and dosages than the medications that are used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a person with ADHD may also have hypertension. To select a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without destabilizing the hypertension of the patient it is crucial to understand how different medications affect people in the course of time, as well as the interactions between medications.
It's important that you 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 first few sessions at times when you will not be distracted by family or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD typically face a variety of problems in their lives, such as relationships and work problems. The person who has ADHD might be prone to anger, frustration and guilt that has built up over time. Psychosocial treatments can aid patients and their families to develop new abilities, attitudes and ways of communicating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that assists people in changing their habits and thoughts. It involves goal-setting, skill training and practice, as well as teaching strategies to improve organization and self-esteem. It can be carried out in individual or group sessions. Metacognitive therapy has proven to significantly reduce symptoms among adults suffering from ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson, et al. 2002).
Some people suffering from ADHD may also require therapy to help them overcome certain issues in their lives. This could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can help develop techniques to deal with these situations and increase communication and problem-solving abilities. It can also improve relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term partnerships.
Family therapy and supportive group therapy are two other types of psychotherapy that can be used to treat ADHD. These can assist families to cope with the anxiety of having a child suffering from ADHD and teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can also assist parents to recognize the symptoms and develop parenting techniques that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
It is crucial for adults with ADHD to discuss their medication with their health care professionals regularly, and to inform them of all other medications they are taking, including prescription drugs. Certain medications can trigger adverse reactions or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis, it is important to monitor the patient's condition to ensure that he/she receives the benefits of the medication and doesn't experience any adverse side adverse effects. It is recommended that patients be examined for an initial medical check-up within 30 days of beginning treatment, and every month afterward. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines, methylphenidate) this enables thorough titration to an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This allows for a precise registration of the patient's response and helps to avoid having sensitive patients remain on doses that are not sufficient (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses to excessively high levels (rapid metabolizers).
Adults who are not responding well to stimulant medications or have side effects that are intolerable might benefit from non-stimulant drugs. This usually involves the use atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually affected by comorbid disorders like depression or drug abuse. In addition, they may experience chronic sleep disorders or medical problems 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 effects on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be controlled through marital therapy. Spouses report feeling overburdened with the responsibilities of caring for their spouses suffering from ADHD and may become resentful or angry as a consequence. Making the patient aware of the signs of their condition and helping them realize that these aren't willful actions or a lack of love can reduce marital conflict and resentment. Couples who undergo this type of therapy generally experience a better family functioning.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is generally recommended. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy assists patients in learning to improve their organizational skills and focus, as well as control the impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their work, social and home life more efficiently. Psychotherapy also helps patients understand how their disorder affects different areas of their lives and relationships. This helps reduce the stigma and feelings of shame that are often seen among adults with ADHD. They could be perceived by others as lazy or unintelligent.
Many psychiatric disorders may be akin to ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders and depression. The presence of other psychiatric problems should be evaluated according to the need, to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are linked to them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been established that a combination of psychotherapy and medication yields superior results over either treatment on its own. Future controlled studies must attempt to track and measure functional improvements such as improved performance at work, school and interpersonal relationships.