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Treatment of ADHD in Adults
Adults who suffer from adhd are treated through medication, therapy and support from family members. Clinical trials are being conducted to test new treatments for ADHD.

Stimulant medications are the most effective drugs for adults with ADHD. However, they must be monitored regularly. That includes monthly clinical appointments, and frequent reviews of side effects and symptoms.
Medicines
Numerous medications can be used to alleviate 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 choose the appropriate medication for you and will decide on the most appropriate dosage and schedule. It could take a while to determine the appropriate dosage and medication to control your symptoms.
The first medication that doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. They increase the amount of dopamine found in your brain and norepinephrine, which allows you to manage your thoughts and focus. These medications are available in short-, medium-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last for 6 hours. Intermediate-acting medicines last for 8-10 hours. Long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause adverse reactions than shorter- or intermediate-acting medicines. However, they can still cause sleepiness and change in appetite.
treat adhd as atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adult ADHD in cases where stimulants don't perform or cause unwanted side effects. These medications don't affect your dopamine or norepinephrine levels however they do increase the amount of norepinephrine. They also improve your ability to concentrate. These medications are in capsules and are taken once or twice each day.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from other mental disorders, like depression and anxiety. 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, people who have an addiction history to drugs or disorder are more likely to misuse psychostimulants. Because of this, it's generally advised to wait until a person has stopped using substances before considering treatment with stimulants to treat ADHD.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interactive process of discussing and talking about issues that may be disturbing or troubling to someone. The therapist provides guidance based upon his or her training, experience, credentials, and the therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a couple of weeks or months) or addressing more immediate issues, or more long-term. The duration and frequency of treatment is decided by the therapist and patient together.
Psychotherapy and medication together are an extremely effective way to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can assist people improve their time management, organizational skills and prioritizing. It can also teach methods to manage emotions such as anger and frustration. The use of medication can help reduce symptoms and increase focus, leading to more efficient and successful work and academic performance.
Adults with ADHD have a higher risk of co-existing conditions. This is particularly relevant for mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Before beginning treatment for ADHD, it is important to treat any co-existing condition. Treatment of co-existing disorders could require different types and dosages of medication than that used to treat ADHD.
For instance, a patient who suffers from ADHD could also be suffering from hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms but does not destabilize the patient's tentatively controlled hypertension requires understanding how different medications affect individuals over time and an understanding of the interactions between different medications.
It's important to find a therapy provider with whom you have a an excellent relationship and who is experienced in treating adults with ADHD. It's also important to arrange your first few sessions during times when you aren't distracted by family responsibilities or work obligations.
Counseling
Adults suffering from ADHD often have many issues in their lives, including work and relationship problems. A person with ADHD may also experience frustration, anger and guilt that has developed over time. Psychosocial therapies can aid patients and their families develop new attitudes, skills and ways of relating.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people alter their habits and thoughts. It involves goal-setting, skill training and practice, as well as teaching strategies to increase self-esteem and organizational skills. It can be carried out in groups or individually. Metacognitive therapy has been proven to significantly reduce symptoms among adults with ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson, et al., 2002).
In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD require counseling to address specific life challenges. These could include family conflict, impulsive and aggressive behavior, or difficulty dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help teach how to handle these situations, improve communication and increase problem-solving capabilities. It can also help improve relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term relationships.
Family therapy and supportive group therapy are other forms of psychotherapy that can be used to treat ADHD. These can help families deal with the stress of having a child suffering from ADHD and develop skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It also helps parents learn about the disorder and develop parenting styles that encourage positive outcomes for their children.
It is important for people suffering from ADHD to discuss their medication with their health care providers regularly, and to reveal any other medications they're taking, including any over-the-counter medications. Certain medications can cause adverse effects or interact with other medications.
Medication Monitoring
After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis is made it is crucial that the patient be monitored to ensure that they are receiving the benefits of the medication and is not experiencing side effects. It is recommended that patients be examined for initial clinical monitoring within 30 days of beginning treatment, and every month following that. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamines) this allows for the gradual titration of an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This allows accurate registration of the patient's response and prevents the patient from being a the patient with a sensitive response on doses that are not sufficient.
Adults who are not responding well to stimulant medications or suffer from unwanted side effects that are difficult to tolerate may benefit from nonstimulant medications. This typically involves the use of atomoxetine or other related alternatives to methylphenidate.
Adults with ADHD typically suffer from comorbid disorders like mood disorder or anxiety disorder, substance abuse issues or depression. Moreover, they may have chronic sleep disturbances or medical problems such as hearing and vision disorders. It is essential to identify and evaluate such conditions as part of the initial evaluation for ADHD because they can have a significant impact on functional impairment in adults.
ADHD can also be controlled through marital therapy. spouses feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their spouses who suffer from ADHD and may become resentful or angry as a consequence. The way to reduce resentment is by increasing the patient's understanding of the illness, and helping them understand that the symptoms are not caused by a lack in affection or willfulness. Couples who go through this type of therapy usually experience improved 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 improving their focus, organization skills, and control impulsive behaviors. It helps patients manage their social, work and home life more effectively. Psychotherapy assists patients in understanding how their disorder impacts various aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help reduce the self-doubt and shame that is often seen in people with ADHD who are considered inept or unintelligent.
ADHD symptoms can be mirrored by various psychiatric disorders. For example, anxiety disorders occur at a higher rate in adults ADHD patients and depression is observed at increased levels in adults with the disorder. If needed treat adhd of any other psychiatric disorders should be analyzed to determine if ADHD symptoms are caused by them.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is usually recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been established that the combination of psychotherapy and medication can produce better results than either therapy alone. Future controlled medication studies should aim to track and measure the effects of functional improvements, such as better performance at work, school and interpersonal relationships.