Treatment for adults with add

Language: English French. To review the etiology, diagnosis, and management of attention deficit disorder ADD in adults. Several books on ADD in adults were reviewed. I also drew on my own clinical experience assessing and treating adults with ADD for more than 20 years. The classic triad of ADD symptoms are inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity or restlessness. Although ADD is a well established brain disorder, the diagnosis remains controversial.

This review focuses on the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD in adults. It briefly addresses prevalence, diagnostic and differential diagnostic issues specific to adults. Stimulant medication, non-stimulant medication, and psychosocial treatments are thoroughly reviewed. For each class of medication possible mechanism of action, efficacy and side effects are summarized. Special attention is given to the pharmacological treatment for patients with adult ADHD and various comorbidities. In summary, stimulant medications are most effective and combined medication and psychosocial treatment is the most beneficial treatment option for most adult patients with ADHD.

Reprinted with permission from ADDitude Magazine. Studies show that adult attention deficit disorder ADD ADHD is treated successfully with a combination of medication and behavior therapy. But not all adults diagnosed with attention deficit embrace ADHD treatment. Many see their ADD-related traits of creativity, ability to multi-task, and entrepreneurial energy as germane to who they are and their successes in life.

Although there is no cure for the disorder, it can be successfully treated. There are several different approaches for treating adults, but generally some combination of medication and behavioral therapy yields the best results. However, the dosage and frequency of medications may have to be adjusted early during the course of treatment. It is important to match the needs of the person with ADHD with the characteristics of the drug. The major classes of prescription medications that are prescribed for ADHD are psychostimulants, antidepressants, and nonstimulant drugs.