ADHD Treatment in Adults
ADHD can cause problems at work, at school, and with relationships. It's crucial to get an entire medical examination to rule out any medical conditions that may be similar to ADHD symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that can help to manage symptoms. It focuses on changing negative thought patterns into more positive ones.
Medication
Medications are the most common treatment for ADHD in adults. They are usually prescribed as stimulants that have been proven to be effective in decreasing symptoms and enhancing functioning. NIMH recommends talking with your healthcare provider to determine if you should consider medication. Discuss with your doctor when you decide to take medication about the effects it may have on your life.
ADHD is often associated with depression and anxiety. These comorbidities can make it difficult to respond to treatment. Adult ADHD is best treated using a the combination of psychosocial therapy and medication (Rostain and colleagues. 2006).
Psychoeducation helps adults with ADHD understand the condition and its impact on their lives. It also teaches them strategies for dealing with problems that could arise. This can improve their self-esteem which could have been negatively affected by constant negative feedback from family and friends. Individual and group cognitive behavioral therapies are a way to provide psychoeducation.
A thorough medical history is essential due to the fact that certain medical conditions may have similar symptoms to ADHD. These include developmental disorders, seizure disorders (petit mal) sleep apnea and a few drugs. It is also beneficial to look back at the person's school and childhood experiences.
In general, nonstimulant medication should be tried first for patients with comorbid mental disorders. When adhd treatment for adults medication is evident in the comorbidity disorder, it is possible to consider trying stimulant medication (Wilens 2004b). If the person who is in active substance abuse treatment is in stable remission stimulant medications should be considered.
Stimulants have a large variation between individuals in response to particular doses. Therefore, careful titration with accurate registration of the patient's response and adverse effects is vital. It is important to try out different formulations of a medication. For instance, dextroamphetamine immediately-release has a short half-life and requires multiple dosages twice or three times a day, while the extended-release mix amphetamine salts have a long duration of action.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The majority of people with ADHD are treated psychosocially, which is a combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. These therapies can teach people with ADHD how to improve their organizational abilities and manage their time, prioritize tasks and control the risky and impulsive behavior. Many adults also benefit from support from an experienced life or ADHD coach who can help them master a range of different techniques to improve their everyday functioning.
Many psychiatric disorders are able to mimic the symptoms of ADHD in both adults and children. These include mood disorders and anxiety problems, as well as learning and language issues, adjustment disorders and a few psychotic disorders. It is essential to rule out these conditions before beginning treatment for ADHD.
About 75% of adults with ADHD also suffer from depression or anxiety. Psychosocial treatments such as cognitive therapy for behavior can be beneficial for treating comorbid conditions particularly when they are combined with effective medication. These treatments can help people suffering from ADHD manage their impulsive and disruptive behavior and focus on problematic areas in their lives.
A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychosocial treatment is the most effective treatment for adults with ADHD. A study by Rostain et al (2006) discovered that CBT when combined with mixed salts of amphetamine helped improve both the main symptoms of ADHD and symptoms of comorbid depression and anxiety disorders. It is important to be aware that stimulants can cause a small increase of pulse and blood pressure in some patients.
Psychotherapy can also assist families and couples with ADHD improve their ability to communicate and be able to understand each other. This can help reduce tension and conflicts in the home, particularly between spouses. CBT can assist adults with ADHD understand their condition, and learn how to recognize and cope negatively slanted beliefs and thoughts.
Some people suffering from ADHD also choose to use complementary health methods such as diet and natural remedies. These approaches are not scientifically proven to help improve ADHD impairments or symptoms, 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 people with ADHD to get treatment. Treatment can assist you in living a more fulfilling life and succeed in school, at work and in relationships. It's important to include medication in your ADHD treatment plan. But, it's also beneficial to get therapy. It will help you to manage stress and combat comorbid conditions like anxiety and depression.
Counseling can be a useful tool for people who suffer from ADHD, as well as their family members. It can assist them to comprehend how ADHD affects their lives and help them detect problems that could be arising. It can also teach them how they can cope with the challenges associated with ADHD, like being disorganized or unorganized. Counseling is also helpful for spouses of adults who have ADHD. They may feel overwhelmed by their spouse's impulsiveness as well as inattention.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are likely to have comorbid disorders, such as major depressive disorder and other substance use disorders. These comorbidities can interfere with the effectiveness of ADHD medications and should be addressed prior to the start of medication. However the process of identifying and treating these disorders can be challenging because many of the symptoms of these conditions are similar to those of ADHD.
The most popular treatment for ADHD is stimulant medication. It can help improve the ability to control impulses and attention, but it has its limitations. Certain adults experience unpleasant side effects, including dry mouth and fatigue. In these cases, it may be necessary to switch to a non-stimulant or a different stimulant. Other effects of stimulants include mood lability, visual hallucinations and heart palpitations. Some people cannot tolerate stimulants due to medical conditions like severe asthma or cardiovascular disease. They should be assessed.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also benefit from nonstimulants. Clonidine is an a2-adrenergic agonist which has been proven to reduce the level of impulsivity and hyperactivity among adults suffering from ADHD. This medication is sometimes used in conjunction with stimulants. It can be especially effective in those with comorbid Tourette's disorder and other symptoms (Robertson 2006; Wilens 2006).
When seeking treatment for ADHD It is crucial to inform your doctor of any other health conditions you might have. Certain health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure may interact with certain medications used to treat ADHD.
Family therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from family therapy. This kind of therapy can aid them in improving their lives at work and at home and improve communication with their families. It also helps them combat comorbid illnesses such as anxiety and depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy is often used in family therapy to change the way that a person thinks and behaves. It may also include family therapy and marital counseling to improve communication. In certain situations the therapist might also recommend medication.
When treating adult ADHD the best method is to combine psychotherapy and medication. Talk therapy can aid in social interaction, organizational skills and problem-solving. The use of medication can help treat symptoms such as inattention and an impulsive nature. Additionally, medications can be used to treat coexisting disorders that are comorbid, like anxiety and depression.
The first step to treating adult ADHD is identifying the signs. You can complete this by filling out an symptom list or a behavioral assessment. A doctor can also look into the past of a patient, including their childhood and schooling experiences.
The most commonly used medication to treat ADHD in adults is stimulants. They are generally effective, but they do come with side effects that need to be monitored by a medical professional. Nonstimulant drugs are available and can be just as effective as stimulants. They also do not cause the same adverse effects.
For patients suffering from comorbid ADHD and other mental health problems Cognitive-behavioral therapy may be particularly efficient. It is beneficial for patients with comorbid conditions like addiction and depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people modify their thinking and behavior and improve their relationships.
It is crucial for families to understand how ADHD affects the patient. This can reduce the conflict and blame-shifting between spouses. It can help them understand the negative impact the disorder has on their relationship. It can also assist in finding new ways to help a loved one.
A therapist will discuss with the family the goals and objectives they have set. The therapist will encourage the family to maintain the new habits they've created in therapy.