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Treatment of ADHD in Adults Treatment for adhd in adults focuses on medication, therapy and family support. People can also participate in clinical trials to try new ways of treating ADHD. Adults with ADHD are more likely to benefit from stimulant medications. They require monitoring regularly. This includes monthly clinical appointments and frequent reviews of symptoms. Medicines There are many medications that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are known as psychostimulants and they alter the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that transmit messages between nerve cells. 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 proper dosage and medication that will control your symptoms. The first medication doctors prescribe to adults with ADHD is stimulants. These drugs increase the amount of dopamine that is present in your brain and norepinephrine, which helps you to control your impulses and focus. The medications are available in short-, medium- and long-acting versions. Short-acting stimulants last for about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medicines last 8-10 hours, and long-acting medications last for up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely cause adverse reactions than intermediate or shorter-acting medicines. However, they can still cause sleepiness and change in appetite. Nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine, (Strattera), are used to treat adults with ADHD if stimulants do not work or cause unwanted side effects. These medicines do not affect your norepinephrine or dopamine, but they increase the brain's supply of norepinephrine and improve your concentration. These medicines come in capsule form and are taken either twice or three times a day. Some adults with ADHD may also suffer from other psychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety. These are called comorbid conditions and they can influence how you respond to treatment for ADHD. It is essential to treat any comorbid disorders prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. For instance, those who have a history of substance use disorder are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. Because of this, it's often advisable to wait until a person has stopped using substances before considering treatment with stimulants for ADHD. Psychotherapy Psychotherapy is an interaction method of discussing and discussing issues that could be troubling or troubling to someone. The therapist offers guidance on the basis of his or her training, experience, credentials, and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a couple of weeks or months) or addressing more immediate issues, or longer-term. The therapist and patient decide on the duration and frequency of therapy. The combination of psychotherapy and medication together is a highly effective treatment for adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can assist people improve their time management, organizational skills and prioritizing. adhd treatment adults can also teach methods to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and increase concentration, which results in more efficient and successful academic and work performance. Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-existing disorders, including mood disorders like depression and anxiety. It is essential that any co-existing condition be treated prior to starting treatment for ADHD. The treatment of co-existing conditions may require different types of medications and dosages than the ones that are used to treat ADHD. For example, a person with ADHD might also be suffering from hypertension. Selecting a medication that addresses the ADHD symptoms, but does not destabilize the patient's hypertension that is controlled requires knowledge of how different medications affect people over time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between medications. It is essential to locate a therapist who has experience treating adults with ADHD and with whom you feel at ease. It's also important to arrange your initial sessions in a time when you're not distracted by family obligations or work obligations. Counseling Adults who suffer from ADHD often have many life challenges, including relationships and work problems. People with ADHD can also experience anger, frustration and guilt that has been accumulated over time. Psychosocial treatments can help patients and their families develop new skills, attitudes, and ways of relating. Psychotherapy can include cognitive behavior therapy, a type of psychotherapy that aids individuals to change their thinking and behavior. It includes goal-setting, skill training and practice, as well as methods to help improve self-esteem and organization. This can be accomplished individually or in a group. Metacognitive therapy has proven to significantly reduce symptoms in adults with ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson and colleagues., 2002). In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD also require counseling to address specific life difficulties. This could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulty coping with disappointments and failures. Counseling can teach skills to help deal with these situations and increase the ability to communicate and solve problems. It can also enhance relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term partnerships. Family therapy and supportive group therapy are also types of psychotherapy that can be utilized to treat ADHD. These therapies can assist families in coping and improve their skills to manage conflict and improve communication when dealing with children who have ADHD. It can also assist parents to learn about the disorder and develop parenting styles that promote positive outcomes for their children. It is crucial for people suffering from ADHD to discuss their medication with their health care professionals regularly, and to disclose all other medications they are taking, including over-the-counter drugs. Certain medications can cause adverse effects or interact with other medications. Medication Monitoring After a thorough examination and diagnosis is made, it is crucial to monitor the patient to ensure that he or she is receiving the benefits of medication and not experiencing any adverse side effects. It is recommended that a patient be examined for an initial medical check-up within 30 days of initiating treatment and then every month thereafter. For psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines, methylphenidate) this enables thorough titration to an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This permits accurate recording of the patient's response. It also assists in avoiding the patient from being kept on insufficient doses (slow metabolism) or forcing those who require higher doses onto unnecessarily high levels (rapid metabolizers). Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medications or have side effects that are intolerable might benefit from non-stimulant drugs. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine or other methylphenidate alternatives. Adults suffering from ADHD are often affected by comorbid disorders, like depression or drug abuse. Additionally, they may suffer from chronic sleep disorders or medical problems such as vision and hearing disorders. As part of the initial evaluation for ADHD it is crucial to screen for these conditions and then evaluate them. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments in adults. Marital therapy is also useful in the treatment of ADHD. Couples complain of being overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses suffering from ADHD, and can become resentful or angry in response. The way to reduce resentment is by enhancing the understanding of the condition, and assisting them to realize that the symptoms are not the result of an absence of willfulness or love. Couples who go through this type of therapy typically experience better family functioning. Behavioral Therapy Psychotherapy for adults with ADHD is typically suggested. It should include a behavioral and cognitive component. Behavioral therapy assists patients in learning to improve their ability to organize their lives and focus, as well as control impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their home, work and social interactions in more productive ways. Psychotherapy helps patients to understand how their condition impacts different areas of their life and relationships. This can reduce the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are commonly seen in people suffering from ADHD. They may be perceived by others as lazy or less intelligent. Many psychiatric disorders can be akin to ADHD symptoms. Adult ADHD patients are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. If necessary the presence of any other psychiatric disorders must be evaluated to determine if ADHD symptoms are caused by them. A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is typically recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been demonstrated that when a combination of medications and psychotherapy is employed results are more favorable than treatment on its own. Future controlled medication studies will attempt to track and evaluate functional improvements, such as improved functioning in school, the workplace, and interpersonal relations.