ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of co-morbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, substance abuse) and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Both psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed medications.
Medicines
Many people with ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning when they take medication. It is crucial that people suffering from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that is effective for them.
Stimulants, like amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed medications for adults with ADHD. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form and can be taken as often as every three to four hours. Some adults can supplement their immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medication taken once a day to reduce the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Antidepressants such as desipramine have also been found to be effective in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of medications can be used alone or in combination with stimulants to enhance their effects. They may also increase the danger of serious side effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam or clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and can improve focus, and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in certain adults. These medications can lead to very low blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is reduced.
Adults with ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy can help them deal with their feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD, as well as resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, and family members who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. Additionally counseling for families and marriages can help couples with ADHD understand each other's problems and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to impart strategies and skills that help improve function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help those with ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the sense of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavior therapy, assists people to change negative thoughts and emotions that cause problems in their lives. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has proven to be effective for many disorders, including depression and anxiety. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or alone.
CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is especially beneficial for adults with ADHD because it enables them to connect with others who are facing similar issues and learn about how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or via the phone. One study compared the results of CBT against traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and discovered that both treatments resulted in improvements in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms and quality of life.
CBT has been compared to other psychosocial treatments in adults with ADHD. All of these studies have shown significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes ranging from medium to large. These improvements were associated with a variety modalities including interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy, social skills training, problem solving training, as well as mindfulness mediation.
However, caution is required when comparing the effectiveness of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is likely that differences in outcomes results result from a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics and measures employed. There are few studies that have investigated the effectiveness neurofeedback. This method involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while performing cognitive tasks in order to pinpoint brain areas in which there is excessive or inadequate activity. The individual then learns to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy approaches that can help improve the ability of a person to resolve conflicts and develop meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to alter negative behaviors and help manage self-destructive and impulsive behaviors that can cause problems at work or school.
In some instances psychotherapy may be used as an adjunct to medications for adult adhd in adults treatment. Patients with comorbid disorders such as substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder should be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms aren't made worse by medications used to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and seizures in the past, must be treated with more vigor because they are more at risk of complications from medication.
When ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs might be recommended. These programs offer more thorough and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD improve their abilities to manage time management and impulse control, as well as organizing, and executive function. It helps them understand and express their emotions and employs worksheets and exercises to make the learning more enjoyable. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT, and it improves the ability of people to concentrate and regulate their emotions. It increases the capacity of a person's ability to handle the effects of stress and arousal. It can help them cope with sadness, anger, and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. In addition to affecting work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and may result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you build confidence in yourself and resolve underlying problems. It can also help you develop healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults with ADHD, as it teaches them how to change their negative beliefs and behavior. In particular, it is focused on teaching you how to utilize time management strategies and overcome mental distortions that lead to negative moods and perceptions of a limited range of choices.
Many people with ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or reduce the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then monitor the response to the medication before treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you learn how to manage your life and work, create predictable routines, manage time and money and build a positive self-image. It can help you master relaxation methods that may reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. In the same way yoga and other exercises can help you focus better by ensuring your body is stable in different poses.
Marriage and family counseling can help adults with ADHD to overcome the problems they create for their children, spouses and other family members. They often complain of being erratic and unorganized. They often forget things or make decisions impulsively. You can strengthen relationships by educating your spouses and family members about ADHD. Moreover it can help you and your loved ones realize that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD rather than a lack of caring or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression and addiction disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medication interventions. A wide range of medications are available for adults with ADHD, and some of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and limitations of the various medications.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have the same symptoms as children, but it isn't always easy to recognize them since childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. doctors who treat adhd in adults who suffer from ADHD may also not have any family background of the disorder or might not remember the symptoms. A thorough medical history is important to help determine whether the symptoms are due to medical conditions such as thyroid issues or sleep apnea. It could also be due to issues with vision and hearing or lead poisoning.
Treatments for adults suffering from ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and other non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medications for treating adults with ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80 percent range. The most frequently used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate can also be found in a transdermal system that allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that are based on norepinephrine, or dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has been proven to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low-dose medication that is recommended to be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a second antidepressant that has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transportationer, increasing its availability in brain. This drug has been shown to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults, but it is not as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving cognitive performance or concentration.