ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known disorder of the nervous system that affects 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied with high rates of comorbidity. This includes depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, as well as significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Medications and psychotherapy are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most commonly prescribed drugs.
Medications
Many people with ADHD experience significant improvements in their symptoms and performance due to medication. Due to the various ways that people respond to medication, it is crucial for people with ADHD to discover a combination that is most effective.
Stimulants, including amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form, and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Adults can augment an immediate-release medication with an extended-release, long-acting medicine every week to lessen the need to take it regularly throughout the day.
Antidepressants such as desipramine have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of medications can be used on its own or in conjunction with stimulants to increase their effects. However, they may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects such as a rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam or clonidine. They are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, have a calming effect and can increase focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity in certain adults. These medications can lead to extremely low blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is decreased.
Adults with ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help those with ADHD to overcome feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment against coworkers, supervisors, teachers and family members who might criticize or nag them. Additionally counseling for families and marriages can help couples with ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
The primary goal of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to impart skills and strategies that improve function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and feelings of failure that is often associated with this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists individuals in changing the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives and to discover new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as doing. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has proven to be effective for a variety of disorders including anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments or alone.
CBT can include group therapy. This is especially beneficial for people with ADHD because it allows them to meet others who have similar struggles and discover how they deal with their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or via phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults who have ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures such as symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
Several studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD, and all show significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were linked to a variety of modalities such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
It is essential to assess the efficacy between different treatments for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that differences in the outcomes result from a variety of factors, including treatment features and the methods employed. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to determine areas of the brain where there is too much or too little activity, and instructing the person to manage these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help to address these issues, which could contribute to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy methods which can improve the ability of a person to manage conflicts and create lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to change negative behavior and assist in managing impulsive and self-destructive behaviors that can lead to problems at work or school.
In certain cases psychotherapy is sometimes used in conjunction with medication for adults who are seeking treatment for adhd. People with comorbid conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs must be assessed carefully to ensure they do not have symptoms that cannot be ameliorated by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and an history of seizures must be treated more aggressively because they are at a higher risk of developing complications from the medications.
In-depth outpatient programs could be recommended when the person's ADHD is so severe that it affects their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer an organized therapy that is more intense than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a type of cognitive therapy, helps adults suffering from ADHD to improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as planning and executive function. It helps them recognize and express emotions, and it uses activities and worksheets to make the learning interesting. Meditation training that is mindful enhances CBT and improves a person's ability to focus and control their emotions. It also improves a person's ability to tolerate stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other difficult feelings that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. These issues can also impact relationships and cause financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you build confidence in yourself and address the root of the issue. It can also assist you in developing healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults with ADHD and helps them to alter their negative beliefs and behaviors. Particularly, it focuses on teaching you to use strategies to manage your time and eliminate mental distortions that lead to negative moods and a perception of a limited range of choices.
Internet Page with ADHD also have comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or reduce the effectiveness of some treatments for ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and observe its response to medication prior to attempting treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your life and work and establish routines that are predictable to manage your money and time, and develop a positive image of yourself. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that can decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. In the same way yoga and other forms of exercise can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing the body in various poses.
Marriage and family counseling can help adults with ADHD to overcome the problems they cause their children, spouses and other family members. They often complain of being unreliable and disorganized. They are also prone to forget things or make decisions impulsively. You can strengthen relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. Additionally it can aid you and your loved ones realize that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD rather than to an absence of care or a willful refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly frequent neurobiological disorder. It is often accompanied by co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication treatments are available as treatment options. A wide range of medications are available for adults suffering from ADHD, and some of them have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted both the advantages and drawbacks of the medications.
Adults with ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, but it isn't always easy to recognize them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist into adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder in their families or they may not remember having symptoms. A thorough medical history is important to help determine whether the symptoms are due to an illness like thyroid problems or sleep apnea, vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. Stimulants have the highest response rates for adults with ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness vary from 70 to 80%. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be found in a transdermal system, which permits continuous supply of medication throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take non-stimulant drugs that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been proven to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a medication with a low dose that should be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is noticed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, was shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and works by blocking the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its presence in the brain. The drug is known to boost mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity, however, it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.