ADHD Treatment in Adults
ADHD can cause problems at school, at work and in relationships. It's important to get an accurate medical assessment and rule out any conditions that can mimic ADHD symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that can help people manage their symptoms. It focuses on changing negative thinking patterns to more positive ones.
Medication
The most popular treatment for ADHD in adults is medication. Usually, stimulants are prescribed to ease symptoms and improve performance. NIMH recommends that you speak with your doctor to determine if the medication is suitable for you. Consult your doctor when you decide to take medication about the effects it may have on your life.
People who suffer from ADHD typically have comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and depression. These comorbid conditions can make it harder to receive therapy on its own. Psychosocial treatment and medication is the most effective method for treating adults with ADHD (Rostain et al 2006).
Psychoeducation helps adults who have ADHD understand the effects of ADHD on their lives. It also helps them develop strategies to deal with any issues that might arise. This helps improve their self-esteem, which may have been negatively impacted by the constant negative feedback received from family and friends. Cognitive behavioral therapies are a way to provide psychoeducation.
A complete medical history is vital because certain medical conditions can have similar symptoms as ADHD. This includes developmental disorders, seizures (petit mal) sleep disorders, and abuse of drugs. A detailed review of the person's childhood behavior and schooling experiences can be helpful.
In general, nonstimulant medications should be tried first for those with co-occurring mental disorders. If improvement is observed in the comorbid disorder, consideration can be given to trying stimulant medication (Wilens 2004b). If adhd in adults symptoms and treatment is taking active treatment for substance abuse and is in active treatment for substance abuse, a trial of stimulants should be only considered if the person is in stable remission of substance abuse.
Stimulants exhibit a wide inter-individual variability in terms of responses to certain doses. Therefore, careful titration that includes precise recording of the patient's reaction and adverse effects is essential. It is also essential to try different formulations of the same drug. Dextroamphetamine instant release, for instance has a short-term half-life and requires multiple doses, sometimes three times daily. The extended-release mix amphetamines salts on the other hand are more long-lasting.
Cognitive therapy for behavior
Most people with ADHD are treated psychosocially, which is a combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. These therapies can help adults with ADHD learn strategies to improve their organization skills, manage time and prioritize their tasks, and control reckless and impulsive behavior. A few adults could benefit from the assistance of a life coach or ADHD coach who can help them learn various skills to enhance their daily functioning.
Adults and children alike are affected by various psychiatric disorders that mimic the symptoms with ADHD. These include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, problems, as well as learning and language issues, adjustment disorders and some psychotic conditions. Before beginning treatment for ADHD, it is important to rule these disorders out.
About 75% of adults with ADHD suffer from comorbid disorders, including depression and anxiety. Psychosocial treatments like cognitive therapy for behavior can be beneficial in treating comorbid disorders, especially when combined with effective medications. These treatments can help people suffering from ADHD manage their impulsive and irritable behavior and focus on problem areas of their lives.
Adult ADHD is best treated using the combination of pharmacotherapy psychosocial therapy and medication. A study by Rostain et al (2006) discovered that CBT in conjunction with mixed salts of amphetamine reduced both the main symptoms of ADHD and the symptoms of anxiety and depression disorders. It is important to keep in mind that stimulants can cause a small increase of pulse and blood pressure in certain patients.
Psychotherapy can also assist families and couples with ADHD improve their ability to communicate and understand each other. This can lead to a reduction in conflict and tension in the home, especially between spouses. CBT can help adults with ADHD to understand their condition and help them identify and deal with negative slanted beliefs and thoughts.
Certain people with ADHD might also opt to utilize complementary health strategies, such as natural products and diet. These approaches have not been proven scientifically to improve ADHD symptoms or impairments, but they can be helpful in managing the disorder. Before you begin any new therapy, speak with your doctor and therapist about these alternative therapies.
Counseling
It's never too late for adults suffering from ADHD to seek treatment. Treatment can assist you in living a more fulfilling life and achieve success at work, school and in relationships. Medication is an important part of your ADHD treatment plan, but it's a good idea to receive therapy. It can help you improve your ability to manage stress and cope with disorders that are comorbid, such as depression and anxiety.
Counseling is an effective tool for adults suffering from ADHD and their families. It can help them understand how ADHD affects their lives and help them detect problems that could occur. It can also teach them how to deal with the difficulties that come with having ADHD like being unorganized or forgetful. Counseling is also helpful for the spouses of adults who have ADHD. They are often overwhelmed by their spouse's impulsiveness as well as inattention.
Adults with ADHD might have comorbid conditions such as major depression and addiction disorders. These comorbid conditions can interfere with the effectiveness of ADHD medication and should be addressed prior to starting treatment. However the process of identifying and treating these disorders can be a challenge because many of the symptoms of these conditions are similar to symptoms of ADHD.
The most popular treatment for ADHD is stimulant medications. It helps to improve the ability to control impulses and attention However, it comes with its limitations. Certain adults experience uncomfortable side effects such as dry mouth, sedation, and the feeling of drowsiness. In these cases, switching to another stimulant or non-stimulant medication could be required. Other effects of stimulants include mood lability visual hallucinations, as well as heart palpitations. Some people cannot tolerate stimulants due to medical issues like severe asthma or cardiovascular disease. They should be assessed.
Adults with ADHD can also benefit from non-stimulants. Clonidine is an a2-adrenergic agonist which has been proven to decrease hyperactivity and impulsivity among people suffering from ADHD. This medication is often utilized in conjunction with stimulants and can be particularly effective for patients with comorbid Tourette's syndrome and other disorders (Robertson 2006; Wilens 2006).
When seeking treatment for ADHD it is essential to inform your doctor of any other health issues you might have. Certain health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure can interact with certain medications used to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from family therapy. This type of therapy could aid in improving their lives at home and at work and improve communication between them and their families. It can also help them combat comorbid illnesses such as anxiety and depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy is typically employed in family therapy to change the way a person thinks and behaves. It may also involve family therapy and marital counseling to improve communication. In some instances therapy, a therapist may recommend medication.
The most effective way to treat adult ADHD is with the combination of psychotherapy with medication. Medication can help with symptoms like inattention and impulsivity while psychotherapy can assist with organizational skills, problem-solving, and social interaction. Additionally, medications can be used to treat coexisting disorders that are comorbid, like depression and anxiety.
The first step in treating for adults suffering from ADHD is to recognize the symptoms. This can be done by completing an symptom checklist or a behavioral assessment. A doctor can also evaluate the history of a patient of behavior, including their childhood and schooling experiences.
The most commonly used medication to treat ADHD in adults is stimulants. These drugs are typically highly efficient, however they can cause negative side effects that should be monitored by a medical professional. There are medications that are not stimulant that are as effective as stimulants. They don't cause any of the same side-effects.
For those suffering from compulsive ADHD and other mental health problems, cognitive-behavioral therapy can be especially efficient. It is also beneficial for patients with comorbid disorders such as substance abuse and depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy can teach people to alter their behavior and thinking patterns and help them improve their relationships.
It is essential for families to know how ADHD affects the patient. This can help reduce conflict and blaming between spouses. It helps them recognize the negative impact that the disorder has on their relationship. It can also assist in finding new ways to support the loved ones.
After the completion of therapy with the family, a therapist will review the goals and objectives that were set with the family. The therapist will encourage the family to adhere to the new patterns they have created during therapy.