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Treatment of ADHD in Adults Treatment for adhd in adults focuses on medication, therapy and family support. Clinical trials are available to test the effectiveness of new treatments for ADHD. Adults with ADHD are the most likely to benefit from stimulant medications. They must be monitored regularly. This includes monthly appointments with a doctor, and frequent reviews of symptoms and side effects. Medications Numerous medications can be used to reduce the symptoms of ADHD in adults. They are referred to as psychostimulants. they work by changing the levels of certain chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) that transmit messages between nerve cells. Your doctor will select the right medication for you and will decide on the most appropriate dosage and timetable. It could take a while to find the right dosage and medication to control your symptoms. The first medication that doctors prescribe to adults suffering from ADHD is stimulants. These medications increase the amount of dopamine that is present in your brain and norepinephrine which helps you to control your impulses and focus. They come in short-, intermediate-and long-acting varieties. Short-acting stimulants last around 6 hours, intermediate-acting drugs last between 8 and 10 hours, and long-acting drugs last up to 16 hours. Long-acting stimulants are less likely to cause side effects than shorter- or intermediate-acting medicines. However, they may still cause sleepiness and change in appetite. Nonstimulant medications, like Atomoxetine (Strattera) are used to treat adults with ADHD when stimulants don't work or cause unwanted side effects. These medicines do not affect your norepinephrine or dopamine, but they increase the amount of norepinephrine and improve your concentration. These capsules are taken once or twice daily. Some people with ADHD suffer from co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. These are called comorbid conditions and they can impact how you react to treatment for ADHD. It is essential to treat any comorbid disorders prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. People with a history addiction to drugs are more likely to use psychostimulants. Because of this, it's often advisable to wait until the patient has quit using substances before considering treatment with stimulants for ADHD. Psychotherapy Psychotherapy is an interaction process of talking and discussing issues that may be disturbing or troubling for a person. The therapist offers guidance on the basis of his or her education, experience, credentials, and therapeutic philosophy. Psychotherapy may be short-term (a few weeks or months) and can address more immediate issues, or more long-term. The therapist and patient decide on the length and frequency of treatment. Psychotherapy and medication are an extremely effective way to treat adults suffering from ADHD. Behavioral therapy can help people improve their organizational skills, time management and prioritizing. It can also teach strategies for managing emotions like anger and frustration. Treatment can ease symptoms, increase concentration and improve academic and work performance. Adults with ADHD have a higher likelihood of co-existing illnesses. This is particularly relevant for mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. It is essential that any co-existing condition be addressed prior to beginning treatment for ADHD. Treatment of co-existing disorders may require different types and dosages of medication than that used to treat ADHD. A person suffering from ADHD may also suffer from hypertension. Finding a medication that can treat the ADHD symptoms but does not destabilize the patient's hypertension which is being controlled requires knowledge of how different medications affect people over time and an understanding of the interactions between medications. It's important that you find a therapist who has had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD and with whom you are comfortable. It's also important to arrange your initial sessions in a time when you're not distracted by family obligations or work obligations. Counseling Adults who suffer from ADHD often face many problems in their lives, such as work and relationship problems. They may also feel frustration, blame and anger that have accumulated in their lives because of their symptoms. Psychosocial therapies can help patients and their families to develop new abilities, attitudes and ways of relating. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type psychotherapy that helps people alter their behavior and thinking. It involves goal-setting, skill training and practice, as well as methods to help improve organization and self-esteem. It may be done in individual or group sessions. Metacognitive therapy has been proven to significantly reduce symptoms in adults suffering from ADHD and improve their performance (Stevenson, et al., 2002). In addition to psychotherapy, some individuals with ADHD also require counseling to address specific difficulties. These difficulties could include family conflicts, impulsive or aggressive behaviors, and difficulty coping with failures and disappointments. Counseling can help teach skills to manage these situations, improve communication and improve problem-solving skills. It can also help improve interpersonal relationships, particularly in marriages and other long-term partnerships. Family therapy and supportive group therapy are also types of psychotherapy that can be used to treat ADHD. These can help families cope with the stress of having a child with ADHD and teach skills to improve communication and reduce conflict. It can also help parents understand the disorder and develop parenting styles that promote positive outcomes for their children. Adults suffering from ADHD should discuss their medication regularly with their physicians and inform them of any other medications, such as over-the counter drugs. adult treatment for adhd may interact with certain medications or trigger adverse effects that are exacerbated by other medications. Medication Monitoring After a thorough assessment and diagnosis, it is important to monitor the patient to ensure that he/she receives the benefits of the medication and does not experience side adverse effects. It is recommended to consult patients for initial clinical monitoring within 30days of beginning treatment, and then every month after that. In the case of psychostimulants (methylphenidate amphetamines) this enables complete titration to an effective dose that is well-tolerated. This allows accurate registration of the patients' response and helps avoid keeping the patient with a sensitive response on doses that are not sufficient. Adults who do not respond well to stimulant medications or who have unwanted side effects that are difficult to tolerate could benefit from non-stimulant medications. This is usually the case with atomoxetine or other methylphenidate-related alternatives. Adults who suffer from ADHD are usually affected by comorbid conditions, such as depression or substance abuse. Additionally, they may suffer from persistent sleep disturbances or medical issues such as hearing and vision problems. It is crucial to identify and assess these conditions as part of the initial evaluation for ADHD since these can have significant effects on functional impairment in adults. ADHD can also be treated through marital therapy. Spouses report feeling overburdened with the responsibilities of caring for their spouses with ADHD and may become resentful or angry as a consequence. The way to reduce resentment is by increasing the patient's understanding of his/her illness, and helping them understand that the symptoms are not the result of an absence of affection or willfulness. Couples who undergo this type of therapy usually experience improved family functioning. Behavioral Therapy For people who suffer from ADHD Psychotherapy is generally recommended and should include an element of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy assists patients in improving their focus, organization skills and manage impulsive behavior. It helps patients learn to manage their social, work and home life more efficiently. Psychotherapy assists patients in understanding how their condition impacts different aspects of their lives and relationships. This can help decrease the shame and low self-esteem that are often experienced by people with ADHD, who may be viewed as lazy or less intelligent. Many psychiatric disorders can mimic ADHD symptoms. For example anxiety disorders are found at high rates in adult ADHD patients and depression is seen at higher levels in adults with the disorder. If necessary the presence of any other psychiatric disorders should be evaluated to determine if ADHD symptoms are caused by them. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with an amalgamation of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It has been proven that a combination of psychotherapy and medication yields better results than either treatment alone. Future controlled medication studies should attempt to measure and track the effects of functional improvements, such as better performance at work, school, and interpersonal relationships.