ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the general population. It is associated by high rates of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression and substance abuse as well as significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Both medication and psychotherapy are effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed drugs.
Medicines
Many people who suffer from ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning when they take medication. Due to the many different ways people respond to medications it is essential for those with ADHD to discover a combination that works best.
Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed drugs for adults suffering from 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. Adults can augment an immediate-release medication with an extended-release long-acting medicine at least every week to lessen the need to take it often throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated successfully with antidepressants like desipramine. treatment for adhd in adults of drugs can be employed in conjunction with stimulants, or on their own to boost their effects. However, they may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects such as a rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam or clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They are calming and may improve focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in some adults. However, these medications could cause a drop in blood pressure when they are suddenly cut off or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy is also useful for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help them to overcome feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment towards co-workers and teachers, supervisors, and family members that might nitpick or criticize them. Marriage and family counseling can be a great option to help couples with ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
The primary goal of psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is to teach skills and strategies that improve function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help individuals who suffer from ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the feeling of inadequacy they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavior therapy, assists people in changing their negative thoughts and emotions that are causing problems in their life. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has proven to be effective for a variety of illnesses including anxiety and depression. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT could involve group therapy, which is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD, as it provides the chance to connect with others who have similar struggles and to discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or by phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures such as symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
Numerous studies have evaluated CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD and have all shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. untreated adhd in adults were associated with various modalities such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is warranted when comparing the effectiveness of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is possible that the differences in the outcomes are due to a range of factors, including treatment characteristics and the measures used. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness neurofeedback. This method involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while performing cognitive tasks to identify brain areas where there is excessive or inadequate activity. The person is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these problems, which may be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy strategies include interpersonal therapy to enhance the capacity of individuals to establish meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help people manage self-destructive, impulsive and negative behavior that can cause difficulties at school or at work.
In certain cases psychotherapy is sometimes used in conjunction with medications for adults with adhd treatment. Patients with comorbid disorders like bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs should be evaluated with care to ensure they do not suffer from symptoms that aren't improved by the medications used to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions, 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.
When ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with daily functioning and quality-of-life, intensive outpatient programs may be suggested. These programs provide more intense and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD enhance their ability to manage time, impulse control, executive function, and planning. It helps them recognize and express feelings and uses exercises and worksheets to make the lessons interesting. Mindfulness meditation training improves CBT and improves a person's ability to focus and manage their emotions. It increases the capacity of a person's ability to handle anxiety and stress. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger and other difficult feelings that could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD experience difficulties at work and at home. These symptoms can also affect relationships and can lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you improve your self-esteem and address the root of the issue. It can also assist you in developing healthy coping methods.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches you how to change your negative thoughts and behaviors. It is focused on teaching you how to employ strategies for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and the perception of limited choices.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or decrease the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and monitor the effect of medication before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life, establish predictable routines, control your time and money and create confidence in yourself. It will also help you learn relaxation techniques that could reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. In the same way, yoga and other exercise can help you focus better by stabilizing the body in different postures.
Family and marriage counseling can address the problems that adults with ADHD frequently cause their spouses, children and their families. They frequently complain of being insecure, unorganized, and often prone to making impulsive choices. Therapy and classes where spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you build more harmonious relationships. Moreover it can help you and your loved ones understand that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD rather than a lack of caring or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is highly prevalent. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity. This includes depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. There are a variety of medications available to adults suffering from ADHD and some of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and weaknesses of the medication.
Adults with ADHD may experience the same symptoms as children do, but it can be difficult to diagnose since childhood symptoms may not persist in adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their families or they may not remember having symptoms. It is crucial to take an extensive medical history to determine whether the symptoms are caused by a medical condition, like thyroid issues or sleep apnea, and vision problems.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants have the highest reaction rates for adults with ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness vary from 70 to 70% to 80%. The most popular stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal device. This permits continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.
Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that target dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic drug and has been proven to be effective in adult patients with ADHD. 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 which has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist and works by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic transportation system, thus increasing its presence in the brain. This drug has been found to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults, but it is not as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving concentration or cognitive function.