ADHD Treatment in Adults
ADHD can cause problems at work, in school, and with relationships. It's essential to obtain a complete medical evaluation to rule out any conditions that may be similar to ADHD symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that helps manage symptoms. It focuses on changing the negative thoughts to more positive ones.
Medication
The most frequently used medications are treatment for ADHD in adults. Usually stimulants are prescribed to ease symptoms and improve functioning. NIMH suggests talking to your doctor to determine if you should take a medication. If you decide to try medication, be sure to consult your physician about how it affects your life and the adverse effects that could occur.
People who have ADHD often have comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety. These comorbidities can make it difficult to respond to therapy. Adult ADHD is best treated using a the combination of psychosocial therapy and medications (Rostain and colleagues. 2006).
Psychoeducation assists adults suffering from ADHD to understand the condition and its impact on their lives. It also teaches them strategies to handle any problems that could arise. This helps boost their self-esteem that may have been affected by negative feedback from friends and family. Psychoeducation can be done by group and individual cognitive therapy.
It is important to have an extensive medical history, since some medical conditions could be associated with the same symptoms as ADHD. This includes developmental disorders, seizures (petit mal) sleep disorders, and addiction to drugs. It can also be helpful to look back at the person's school and childhood experiences.
In general, nonstimulant medication should be considered first for those with comorbid mental disorders. Once improvement is seen in the comorbid disorder it is possible to consider exploring stimulant medications (Wilens 2004b). If the patient is currently in active substance abuse treatment, a trial of stimulants should be only considered only if the individual is in stable remission of substance abuse.
Stimulants have a large variation between individuals in responses to certain doses. It is essential to carefully titrate the dose and accurately record the patient's reaction and adverse effects. It is crucial to test different formulations of the medication. Dextroamphetamine instant-release, for example has a brief half-life and requires multiple doses of the drug twice or three times per day. The extended-release mix amphetamines salts on the other hand have a longer-lasting effect.
psychological treatment for adhd in adults of people with ADHD receive psychosocial treatment, which consists of a combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. These treatments can teach adults with ADHD how to improve their organization abilities and manage their time, prioritize tasks and control the risky and impulsive behavior. A few adults could benefit from the assistance of a life coach or ADHD coach, who can teach them various techniques to improve daily functioning.
Children and adults alike are susceptible to a variety of psychiatric disorders that mimic the symptoms with ADHD. These include mood disorders and anxiety issues, as along with language and learning problems, adjustment disorders and some psychotic conditions. It is important to rule out these disorders prior to beginning treatment for ADHD.
About 75% of adults who suffer from ADHD have comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression. Psychosocial treatments, such as cognitive therapy for behavior can be beneficial in treating comorbid disorders, especially when combined with effective medication. These treatments can help people suffering from ADHD manage their impulsive and irritable behavior and concentrate on the problematic areas in their lives.
Adult ADHD is best treated with the combination of pharmacotherapy psychosocial therapy, and medication. Rostain et. and al. (2006) found CBT coupled with mixed salts amphetamine to improve the core symptoms of ADHD and also the symptoms of comorbid anxiety and depression disorders. It is important to remember that stimulants can cause a slight increase in pulse and blood pressure in certain patients.
Psychotherapy can also help families and couples with ADHD improve their ability to communicate and get to know each other better. This can help reduce tension and tension at home, especially between spouses. CBT can also help people with ADHD get a better understanding of their condition, and learn to recognize and cope with negative thoughts and beliefs about themselves.
Some people suffering from ADHD might also opt to take advantage of complementary health methods like natural products and diet. These approaches are not scientifically proven to help improve ADHD symptoms or impairments however, they could be helpful in managing the disorder. If you are considering these strategies, discuss these options with your doctor and your therapist prior to beginning any new treatments.
Counseling
If you're an adult with ADHD, it's never too to find treatment. Effective treatment can make your life easier and help you achieve success at work, school and in relationships. It's important to include medication in your ADHD treatment plan. However, it's also beneficial to receive therapy. It can help you improve your ability to manage stress and cope with comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety.
Counseling can be a useful tool for adults suffering from ADHD and their families. It can aid them in understanding how ADHD affects them, and also learn how to spot trouble areas that could lead to problems in their lives. It can also teach them how to cope with the challenges that arise from having ADHD like being disorganized or forgetful. Counseling can be beneficial for spouses of adults suffering from ADHD because they often feel that they are burdened by their partner's inattention and indecisiveness.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to suffer from multiple disorders that are comorbid, including major depressive disorder as well as substance use disorders. These disorders can interfere with the efficacy of ADHD medication. They should be treated 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 common treatment for ADHD is stimulant medication. It can improve control of impulses and attention but it is not without its limitations. Certain adults experience uncomfortable adverse effects, such as dry mouth, sedation and drowsiness. In these cases it could be necessary to switch to a less stimulant or alternative stimulant. Other effects of stimulants include mood lability, visual hallucinations, as well as heart palpitations. Some people are not able to take stimulants because of medical conditions like severe asthma or cardiovascular disease. They should be evaluated.
Nonstimulants can also be effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Clonidine, an a2-adrenergic receptor agonist, has been shown to be helpful in reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity in adults suffering from ADHD. This medication is sometimes used in conjunction with stimulants and can be particularly effective in patients suffering from comorbid Tourette's syndrome and other symptoms (Robertson 2006; Wilens 2006).
When seeking treatment for ADHD it is essential to inform your doctor of any other health conditions you might have. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure can interfere with certain medications that are used to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from family therapy. This type of treatment can help them improve their work and home lives and improve communication with their families. It can also help them manage comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy is typically employed in family therapy to alter the way people think and behaves. It may also include family therapy and marital counseling to improve communication. In some cases therapy, the therapist could suggest medication.
When treating adult ADHD the best method is to combine psychotherapy and medication. The use of medication can ease symptoms like inattention and impulsivity while psychotherapy can assist with organizational skills, problem-solving, and social interaction. In addition, medication can be used to treat comorbid disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
The first step in treating adult ADHD is identifying the symptoms. This can be done by filling out the symptom checklist or conducting a behavioral assessment. A doctor can also look into the history of a patient and behavior during childhood, which includes their behaviour and school experiences.
The most commonly used medication to treat ADHD in adults is stimulants. They are highly effective but can have side effects which require monitoring. Nonstimulant medicines are available and may be as effective as stimulants. They also do not cause the same adverse effects.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be particularly beneficial for patients suffering from comorbid ADHD, depression and other mental health issues. It can also be beneficial for patients suffering from comorbid disorders like depression and substance abuse. Cognitive behavioral therapy can assist people to change their thoughts and behaviors and assist them in improving their relationships.
It is essential for families to know how ADHD affects the patient. This will reduce conflict and blaming between spouses. It can help them see the negative effects that disorder has on their relationship. It can also assist in finding ways to support a loved one.
A therapist will discuss with the family members the goals and objectives that they have set. The therapist will help the family to adhere to the new patterns they have developed in therapy.