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Treatment of ADHD in Adults

Adults who suffer from untreated adhd in adults symptoms (Full Write-up) are treated by medication, therapy and support from the family. Individuals can also take part in clinical trials to test new methods of treating ADHD.

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

Medications

A variety of medications can be utilized to treat symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are called psychostimulants and they alter the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that pass messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will choose the right medication for you and will determine the most effective dosage and timetable. It may take a while to determine the appropriate medication and dosage that controls your symptoms.

Stimulants are typically the first prescription medication doctors recommend for adults suffering from adhd symptoms and treatment. They increase the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in your brain, which improve your ability to concentrate and control impulses. These medications are available in short-, medium-- and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants last around 6 hours, intermediate-acting drugs last 8-10 hours, and long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer adverse effects than shorterand intermediate-acting medications, but they still can cause sleepiness and changes in appetite.

Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera), are used to treat adult ADHD if stimulants do not perform or cause undesirable side effects. These medications don't affect your dopamine or norepinephrine levels however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine, which improves your focus. The capsules are taken one or twice daily.

Some adults with ADHD suffer from co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. These disorders are referred to as comorbidities and can affect your response to ADHD treatment. Before starting treatment for ADHD, it's important to address any comorbidities. For instance, people who have an addiction history to drugs or disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until a person has quit using drugs before taking them on with stimulants.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy involves talking and discussing topics that cause distress or anxiety to the person. The therapist gives advice based upon his or her qualifications, experience, training and the therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) and can address more immediate issues, or longer-term. The duration and frequency of therapy is decided by the patient and therapist together.

Psychotherapy and medication together are a highly effective way to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help individuals improve their time management, organizational skills and prioritizing. It can also teach methods to manage emotions such as anger and frustration. Medication can reduce symptoms, increase concentration and improve academic and work performance.

Adults with ADHD are more likely to have co-existing conditions, particularly mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. It is important that any co-existing disorders be treated prior to starting treatment for ADHD. Treatment of co-existing disorders could require different types and dosages of medication than that used to treat ADHD.

For instance, a person with ADHD may also have hypertension. To select a medication to treat the ADHD symptoms without causing destabilization of the patient's hypertension it is essential to understand how different medications affect individuals over time as well as the interactions between medications.

It is essential to choose a therapist with experience treating adults with ADHD and with whom you feel at ease. It's important to schedule your initial sessions at a time when you won't be distracted by family or work obligations.

Counseling

Adults with ADHD typically face a variety of life challenges, including relationships and work problems. A person with ADHD may be prone to anger, frustration and blame that has been accumulated over time. Psychosocial therapies can help patients and their families develop new abilities, attitudes and ways of communicating.

Psychotherapy can include cognitive behavior therapy, a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals modify their thinking and behavior. It includes goal-setting, skills training and practice, and methods of teaching to increase self-esteem and organizational skills. It can be conducted in groups or individually. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms in adults suffering from ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson and colleagues., 2002).

In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD also need counseling to address specific issues. This could include family conflict, impulsive or aggressive behavior, or difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can teach the how to handle these situations, improve communication and improve problem-solving skills. It can also enhance relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term relationships.

Other forms of psychotherapy for ADHD are family therapy and supportive group therapy. These therapies can help families cope and learn skills to reduce conflict and improve communication when dealing with children who have ADHD. It can help parents to understand the disorder, and develop parenting techniques that encourage positive outcomes in their children.

Adults with ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their doctors and also disclose any other medications, including over-the drug products. Certain medications can interact with specific medications or cause adverse reactions that are made worse by other medications.

Medication Monitoring

After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis is established, it is crucial that the patient be monitored to ensure that he or she is receiving the benefits of the medication and not experiencing any adverse side effects. It is recommended that patients be referred for an initial medical check-up within 30 days of beginning treatment, and every month thereafter. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines, methylphenidate) this allows for 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 unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers).

Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medications or suffer from adverse effects that are unpalatable may benefit from nonstimulant medications. Typically this involves the use of atomoxetine or other methylphenidate alternatives.

Adults with ADHD are frequently affected by comorbid disorders, such as depression or substance abuse. They may also have medical issues like hearing and vision problems, or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial evaluation for ADHD, it is important to detect such conditions and evaluate the severity of them. These conditions can have a significant impact on functional impairments in adults.

Marital therapy is also useful in the management of ADHD. spouses feel overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses suffering from ADHD, and can be angry or resentful in response. The way to reduce resentment is by increasing the patient's awareness of their illness, and helping them to realize that the symptoms are not caused by a lack in love or willfulness. Couples who go through this kind of therapy usually experience improved family functioning.

Behavioral Therapy

Psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD is usually suggested. It should include a cognitive and behavioral component. Behavioral therapy helps patients improve their organizational skills, focus, and control impulsive behaviors. It helps patients learn to manage their social, work, and home situations more efficiently. Psychotherapy assists patients in understanding how their condition impacts various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help reduce the stigma and feelings of shame that are often felt by people suffering from ADHD. They may be perceived by others as being lazy or unintelligent.

ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by a variety of psychiatric disorders. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. The presence of any other psychiatric problems should be evaluated in order to determine if the patient's ADHD symptoms are related to them.

A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is generally recommended for treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been demonstrated that a combination of psychotherapy and medication produces superior results over either treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies should aim to measure and track functional improvements such as improved performance at work, school and interpersonal relationships.