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Treating adults with ADHD
As with children and adolescents, the most effective treatment is a multi-modality plan that includes medication and behavioral therapy. Adults with ADHD may be helped by stimulants, and if not, they are sometimes prescribed antidepressants. These drugs work by affecting the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine but may take up to three weeks to take full effect.
Adults who take medications for ADHD have different requirements than children. For instance, adults probably need a smaller dosage because the drug may stay in their systems longer. Another consideration is that an adult is more likely than a child to have other conditions and therefore may already be taking other medications. The physician has to take this into consideration when prescribing ADHD drugs that may interact with other medications.
Adult ADHD may also be treated with one or more of the following:
- Individual cognitive and behavioral therapy to enhance self-esteem
- Relaxation training and stress management to reduce anxiety and stress
- Behavioral coaching to teach the person strategies for organizing home and work activities
- Job coaching or mentoring to support better working relationships and improve on-the-job performance
- Family education and therapy to improve dynamics in the home that may have suffered because of impulsive behavior or lack of follow-through
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