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Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults who suffer from adhd are treated with therapy, medication, and family support. Clinical trials are being conducted to test new treatments for ADHD.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. However, they must be closely monitored. That includes monthly clinical appointments, and frequent reviews of side effects and symptoms.

Medicines
There are many medications that can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are known as psychostimulants. They function by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will select the right medication for you and determine the best dose and schedule to take it. It could take some time to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that is able to control your symptoms.
Stimulants are often the first medication doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD. They increase the amount of dopamine found in your brain, and also norepinephrine which aids in controlling your impulses and keep your focus. These medicines are available in short-, medium-- and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants can last up to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours. Long-acting drugs last up to 16. Long-acting stimulants have less side effects than shorterand intermediate-acting medications, but they can still cause insomnia and changes in appetite.
Nonstimulant drugs, such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unwanted side consequences. These medicines do not affect your norepinephrine or dopamine levels however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine available to your brain and increase your ability to concentrate. These medicines come in capsule form and are taken twice or once each day.
Many people with ADHD also have other psychiatric disorders, like anxiety and depression. These disorders are referred to as comorbidities, and they can affect how you respond to ADHD treatment. Before starting treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbid issues. For instance, those who have an history of using substances disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. This is why it is generally recommended to wait until the patient has quit using substances before considering treatment with stimulants for ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves talking and discussing topics that are troubling or disturbing to the person. The therapist offers guidance in accordance with their qualifications, experience, training and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a couple of weeks or months) and can address more immediate issues, or more long-term. The therapist and the patient decide on the duration and frequency of treatment.
The combination of psychotherapy and medication is an extremely effective way 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 strategies to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms, increase concentration and improve work and academic performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a higher risk of having co-existing disorders. This is particularly applicable to mood disorders like anxiety and depression. It is essential that any co-existing disorders be addressed prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment of co-existing disorders could require different types and dosages of medication than those used to treat ADHD.
A person who suffers from ADHD can also have hypertension. To pick a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms without causing destabilization of the patient's hypertension it is crucial to understand how various medications affect people over time and the interactions between the medications.
It's important that you find a therapist who has had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you feel comfortable. It's also important to schedule your first few sessions when you aren't distracted by your family obligations or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults who suffer from ADHD often face many life challenges, including relationships and work issues. They may also experience anger, blame, and frustration that have developed in their lives due to their symptoms. Psychosocial therapies can help patients and their families to develop new abilities, attitudes and ways of relating.
Psychotherapy can include cognitive behavior therapy, which is a type of psychotherapy that aids individuals to change their thinking and behavior. It involves setting goals, training and the practice of skills, and methods of teaching to improve self-esteem and organization. This can be accomplished individually or in a group setting. Metacognitive therapy has proven to significantly reduce symptoms in adults with ADHD and improve their functioning (Stevenson and colleagues. 2002).
Some people with ADHD may also require counseling to help them overcome particular life challenges. These difficulties could include family conflicts, aggressive or impulsive behaviors, or difficulty in dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help teach skills to manage these situations, improve communication, and increase problem-solving capabilities. It can also improve interpersonal relationships, particularly in marriages or other long-term partnerships.
Family therapy and supportive group therapy are two other types of psychotherapy that could be used to treat ADHD. These can assist families to cope with the stress of having a child suffering from ADHD, as well as develop skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can also help parents recognize the symptoms and develop parenting strategies that promote positive outcomes for their children.
Adults suffering from ADHD must discuss their medication regularly with their doctor and disclose any other medications, including over the drug products. Certain medications can trigger adverse reactions or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis is made it is essential that the patient is monitored to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of the medication and is not experiencing any adverse side effects. It is recommended that a patient be referred for an initial medical check-up within 30 days of beginning treatment and monthly thereafter. This allows for an accurate adjustment of psychostimulants like amphetamines and methylphenidate to a safe, effective dose. This allows for accurate registration of the patients' response and prevents the patient from being a patients who are sensitive to doses that are too low.
For adults who do not respond well to stimulant medication or experience uncontrollable side effects the use of nonstimulant medication may be indicated. This is usually the case with atomoxetine or other methylphenidate-related alternatives.
treatments for adhd suffering from ADHD are often affected by comorbid conditions, like depression or substance abuse. Additionally, they may suffer from chronic sleep disturbances or medical problems such as hearing and vision disorders. It is essential to identify and analyze these conditions as part of the initial assessment for ADHD because they can have a significant impact on functional impairment in adults.
Marital therapy is also useful in the management of ADHD. Spouses report feeling overburdened with the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses with ADHD, and can become resentful or angry due to this. Increasing the patient's awareness of the signs of their condition and helping them understand that these aren't impulsive actions or lack of love can help to reduce marital tensions and resentment. Couples who undergo this kind of therapy tend to have better functioning families.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is generally suggested. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy helps patients learn to improve their abilities to manage their time and focus, as well as control an impulsive behaviour. It helps patients manage their home, work and social settings more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This can reduce the stigma and feelings of shame that are often felt by people suffering from ADHD. They might be viewed by others as lazy or unintelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by various mental disorders. For instance, anxiety disorders occur at high rates in adult ADHD patients and depression is seen at higher levels in those suffering from the disorder. If needed, the presence of other mental disorders should be evaluated to determine if ADHD symptoms are caused by them.
A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is usually recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been established that the combination of psychotherapy with medication produces better results than either treatment on its own. Future controlled studies must attempt to track and measure the improvement in functional aspects such as improved functioning at school, workplace and interpersonal relationships.