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Treatment of ADHD in Adults Adults with adhd are treated through medication, therapy and support from family members. Patients can also take part in clinical trials to try new ways of treating ADHD. The stimulant medications are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. However, they must be monitored regularly. That includes monthly clinical appointments, and frequent reviews of side effects and symptoms. Medications Many medications can be used to treat the symptoms of ADHD among adults. They are known as psychostimulants and they affect the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that pass messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will recommend the right medication for you and determine the best dose and schedule to take it. It could take a while to determine the appropriate dosage and medication that control your symptoms. The first drug that doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. These drugs increase the amount of dopamine that is present in your brain, and also norepinephrine which helps you to control your thoughts and focus. They come in short-, intermediate— and long-acting forms. Short-acting stimulants last about 6 hours, intermediate-acting medications last 8-10 hours, and long-acting medications last for up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants have less negative effects than shorter- and intermediate-acting medications, but they still cause sleepiness and changes in appetite. Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine, (Strattera), are used to treat adult ADHD if stimulants do not perform or cause unwanted side effects. These medications don't alter 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 capsules and can be taken once or twice each day. Certain adults who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring disorders, such as depression or anxiety. These are referred to as comorbid conditions and they can impact the way you respond to treatment for ADHD. Before starting treatment for ADHD, it's important to address any comorbid issues. Patients with a history of substance abuse disorder are more likely to use psychostimulants. It's best to wait until a person has stopped using drugs before taking them on with stimulants. Psychotherapy Psychotherapy is an interaction method of discussing and discussing issues that may be disturbing or troubling for a person. The therapist listens to the person and provides guidance based on his or her education, training and experience professional credentials and therapeutic philosophies. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks or even months) or addressing more immediate issues, or long-term. The therapist and patient decide on the duration and frequency of therapy. The combination of psychotherapy and medication is an extremely effective way to treat adults with ADHD. Behavioral therapy assists people in improving their ability to manage their time, organize and prioritizing; it can also teach techniques to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration. treating adult adhd can ease symptoms and increase focus, leading to more productive and effective academic and work. Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely of co-existing conditions. This is particularly applicable to mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Before starting treatment for ADHD, it is important to treat any co-existing condition. The treatment of co-existing conditions may require different types of medications and dosages compared to the medications used to treat ADHD. A person suffering from ADHD may also suffer from hypertension. Choosing a medication that treats the ADHD symptoms but doesn't alter the patient's tentatively controlled hypertension requires knowledge of how different medications affect people over time, as well as an understanding of the interactions between medications. It is essential to find a therapist who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD and with whom you are at ease. It's important to schedule your first few sessions at a time when you will not be distracted by work or family obligations. Counseling Adults who suffer from ADHD often face many problems in their lives, such as relationships and work problems. They also may experience anger, blame, and frustration that have built up in their lives due to their symptoms. Psychosocial treatments can aid patients and their families develop new attitudes, skills and ways of relating. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that helps people alter their thinking and behavior. It involves goal-setting, skill training and practice, and teaching strategies to improve self-esteem and organization. This can be done individually or in a group. Certain studies have demonstrated that the use of metacognitive therapy can reduce symptoms and improve functioning in adults with ADHD (Stevenson et al 2002). Some people with ADHD may also require therapy to help them overcome certain life challenges. These challenges may include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, and difficulty coping with failures and disappointments. Counseling can teach the how to handle these situations, improve communication, and enhance problem-solving abilities. It can also help improve interpersonal relationships, especially in marriages and other long-term partnerships. treating adult add and support groups therapy are two other types of psychotherapy that could be used to treat ADHD. These therapies can assist families in coping and develop skills to lessen conflict and improve communication when dealing with children who have ADHD. It can also assist parents to understand the disorder and develop parenting techniques that promote positive outcomes for their children. Adults with ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their physicians and also disclose any other medications, including over the counter drugs. Some medications can interact with specific medications or cause side effects that are worsened by other medicines. Medication Monitoring After a thorough evaluation and diagnosis is made it is essential that the patient be monitored to ensure he/she is getting the benefits of medication and not experiencing side effects. It is recommended to see patients for initial clinical assessment within 30 days of starting treatment and every month following that. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines, methylphenidate) this allows for a thorough titration to an effective and well-tolerated dosage. This allows for accurate registration of the patient's response and helps to avoid keeping a sensitive patient on insufficient doses. For adults who are not responding well to stimulant medication or suffer from uncontrollable side effects, the use of nonstimulant medication may be indicated. This usually involves the use atomoxetine, or other methylphenidate-related alternatives. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually affected by comorbid conditions, such as depression or substance abuse. They might also be suffering from medical problems like hearing and vision problems or chronic sleep disorders. As part of the initial assessment for ADHD it is essential to detect for these conditions and then evaluate their severity. These conditions can have a significant effect on functional impairments for adults. Marital therapy can be helpful in the treatment of ADHD. spouses feel overwhelmed by the caretaking responsibilities of their spouses suffering from ADHD, and can be angry or resentful due to this. Reducing resentment can be achieved by increasing the patient's understanding of his/her condition, and helping them to realize that the symptoms are not the result of a lack in love or willfulness. Couples who undergo this type of therapy tend to have better family functioning. Behavioral Therapy For adults with ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should incorporate an element of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can help patients to improve their abilities to manage their time and focus and control their the impulsive behavior. It helps patients learn to manage their social, work and home life more effectively. Psychotherapy helps patients understand how their condition affects different areas of their life and relationships. This can help reduce the stigma and feelings of shame that are often felt by adults with ADHD. treating add in adults may be viewed by others as lazy or less intelligent. Many psychiatric disorders can mimic ADHD symptoms. For example anxiety disorders are seen at a high rate in adult ADHD patients, and depression is found at higher levels in those suffering from the disorder. The presence of other mental health problems should be evaluated according to the need, to determine whether or not the patient's ADHD symptoms are related to them. Adults with ADHD are usually treated with the combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been proven that the combination of psychotherapy with medication yields better results than either therapy alone. Future controlled studies will aim to monitor and evaluate the effects of functional improvement, like better functioning at school as well as in the workplace and interpersonal relationships.