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Treatment of ADHD in Adults Adults who suffer from adhd are treated with therapy, medication and support from family members. Clinical trials are available to test new treatments for ADHD. Adults with ADHD are the most likely to benefit from stimulant drugs. But they need to be constantly monitored. This includes monthly clinical appointments and regular reviews of symptoms. Medicines A variety of medications can be utilized to reduce symptoms of ADHD in adults. These are referred to as psychostimulants. They function by altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in your brain that transmit messages between nerve cell. Your doctor will select the most appropriate medication for your needs and will decide on the most appropriate dosage and schedule. It may take some time to find the right dosage and medication to control your symptoms. Stimulants are usually the first prescription medication doctors recommend to adults suffering from ADHD. These medications increase the amount of dopamine in your brain and norepinephrine which allows you to manage your thoughts and focus. These medicines are available in short-, mediumand long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last around 6 hours, intermediate-acting medications last between 8 and 10 hours, while long-acting medications last for up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have fewer adverse effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting medicines, but they can still cause insomnia and changes in appetite. Nonstimulant medications, like Atomoxetine (Strattera) can be used to treat adult ADHD when stimulants aren't effective or cause unpleasant adverse side effects. These medications don't alter your norepinephrine or dopamine levels, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine that's available to your brain and improve your ability to concentrate. These medications are available in capsules and can be taken once or twice each day. Certain adults suffering from ADHD may also suffer from other psychiatric disorders, like anxiety and depression. These disorders are referred to as comorbidities, and they can affect your response to ADHD treatment. Before beginning treatment for ADHD it is important to address any comorbid issues. People with a history substance abuse disorders are more likely to abuse psychostimulants. It's best to wait until someone has stopped using drugs before using stimulants. Psychotherapy Psychotherapy is an interactive method of discussing and discussing issues that may be disturbing or troubling to a person. The therapist gives advice based upon his or her qualifications, experience, training, and the therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks or months), addressing more immediate issues, or more long-term. The therapist and the patient determine the duration and frequency of therapy. Psychotherapy and medication are a highly effective way to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help 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, increase focus and lead to better academic and work performance. Adults who suffer from ADHD have a higher risk of co-existing illnesses. This is particularly relevant for mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. It is crucial that any co-existing condition be treated prior to starting treatment for ADHD. The treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types of medication and doses than those used to treat ADHD. A person who suffers from ADHD can also have hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms but does not alter the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires knowledge of how different medications affect people over time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between medications. It's important to find a therapy provider with whom you have a good relations, and who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. It's also important to schedule your first few sessions during times when you're not distracted by family responsibilities or work obligations. Counseling Adults with ADHD face many challenges in their lives, such as issues at work and with relationships. They may also feel frustration, blame and anger that have developed in their lives because of their symptoms. Several psychosocial treatments have been proven to help their families and patients learn new attitudes, skills and ways of relating. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that helps people 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. It can be done in a private or in a group setting. Metacognitive therapy has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms in adults with ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson, et al., 2002). In addition to psychotherapy, some people with ADHD also need counseling to address specific life difficulties. about his could include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behavior, and difficulties in dealing with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help teach skills to manage these situations, improve communication, and improve problem-solving skills. It can also enhance interpersonal relationships, especially in long-term marriages or other relationships. Other types of psychotherapy for ADHD include family therapy as well as supportive group therapy. These therapies can help families cope and develop skills to lessen conflict and improve communication when dealing with children who have ADHD. It also helps parents understand the disorder and develop parenting strategies that encourage positive outcomes for their children. Adults with ADHD should discuss their medications regularly with their doctor and disclose any other medications, such as over-the counter drugs. Certain medications can interact with specific medications or cause adverse effects that are exacerbated by other medications. Medication Monitoring After a thorough examination and diagnosis is established, it is crucial that the patient be monitored to ensure that he or she is receiving the benefits of medication and not experiencing adverse effects. It is recommended that a patient be referred for a first clinical examination within 30 days of beginning treatment and then every month thereafter. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines) this allows for the gradual titration of an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response. It also helps to avoid keeping sensitive patients on insufficient doses (slow metabolizers) or forcing those who require higher doses to unnecessarily 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 with ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring disorders like mood or anxiety disorder, substance abuse problems or depression. In addition, they may experience chronic sleep disorders or medical issues such as hearing and vision problems. As part of the initial evaluation for ADHD it is crucial to identify these conditions and assess their severity. These conditions could have a significant impact on functional impairments for adults. ADHD can also be managed through marital therapy. Couples complain of being overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses who suffer from ADHD and can be angry or resentful as a consequence. Increasing the patient's awareness of the signs of their condition and helping them understand that these aren't impulsive actions or lack of affection can help to reduce marital tensions and resentment. Couples who go through this kind of therapy tend to have better family functioning. Behavioral Therapy For those who suffer from ADHD, psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate an element of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy helps patients learn to improve their ability to organize their lives, focus and control impulsive behavior. It helps patients manage their home, work and social settings more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition impacts different areas of their life and relationships. This can help decrease the feelings of shame and low self-esteem that are often experienced by people with ADHD who are viewed as lazy or less intelligent. ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by many mental disorders. For example, anxiety disorders occur at a higher rate in adult ADHD patients, and depression is found at higher levels in adults with the disorder. The presence of any other psychiatric problems should be assessed in order to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are connected to them. A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is typically recommended for the treatment of ADHD in adults. It has been proven that the combination of psychotherapy and medication can produce better results than either treatment alone. Future controlled medication studies should aim to measure and track the effects of functional improvements, such as better performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.