ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4% of the general population. It is associated with a high rate of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Both psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people who suffer from ADHD notice significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning in response to medications. It is essential that those with ADHD discover the right combination of medications that is effective for them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants such as amphetamines or methylphenidate. They are available in tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. Adults can augment an immediate-release medicine with an extended release, long-acting medicine every week to decrease the necessity to take it regularly throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can also be successfully treated with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of drugs can be utilized in conjunction with stimulants, or on their own to boost their effects. They may also increase the danger of serious side consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These drugs were initially developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming affect and can help improve focus and reduce the amount of hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. adhd in adults untreated can result in very low blood pressure when they suddenly stop, or the dosage is decreased.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy helps people deal with feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment toward coworkers, supervisors, teachers and family members who might criticize or nag them. Additionally counseling for marriage and families can help couples with ADHD be able to recognize each other's challenges and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
The primary goal of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to teach strategies and techniques that enhance performance 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 feelings that are causing problems in their life. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for a variety of disorders, including depression and anxiety. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT may include group therapy, which is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD because it gives the chance to connect with others who are facing similar issues and learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or via the phone. One study examined the effects of CBT in comparison to conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvement in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for people with ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect size. These improvements were linked to diverse approaches, including interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
It is important to compare the effectiveness of various treatments for adult ADHD with caution. It is possible that the differences in the outcomes are due to a range of factors, such as treatment characteristics and measures employed. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas in the brain where there is too much or too little activity - and then instructing the person to manage these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to enhance the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to change negative behavior and assist in managing impulsive and self-destructive behaviors that can cause problems at work or school.
In some instances psychotherapy may be used as an alternative to medication for adult adhd in adults treatment. Patients with multiple disorders like addiction to substances, depression and bipolar disorder should be assessed to ensure their symptoms aren't made worse by the medications used to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and an history of seizures have to be treated more aggressively as they are at a higher risk of developing complications from the medication.
If ADHD is serious enough to affect everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs might be suggested. These programs offer an organized therapy that is more intense than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as organizing, and executive function. It helps them identify and express their emotions and utilizes worksheets and activities to make the lessons more engaging. The practice of mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to focus and manage emotions. It also enhances an individual's ability to tolerate anxiety and stress. It can assist them in dealing with anger, sadness, and other difficult feelings that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD often have difficulties functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and can cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you boost your self-esteem, solve underlying problems and develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults with ADHD because it teaches you how to change your negative beliefs and behavior. It is focused on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions which contribute to negative moods, and the perception that there are only a few possibilities.
Many adults with ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or decrease the effectiveness of certain drugs used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you first treat the most severe comorbidity and then observe its response to the medication prior to treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your life and work by establishing predictable routines that help you manage your time and money, and develop confidence in yourself. It can also help you learn ways to relax that could reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your focus by ensuring your body is stable in various postures.
Marriage and family counseling can address the issues adults with ADHD frequently cause their children, spouses, and others. They often complain about being insecure, unorganized, and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you build better relationships. Additionally, it can aid you and your loved ones understand that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD rather than to an absence of care or a willful refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder. It is often associated with comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication treatments are available as treatment options. A wide range of medications are available for adults with ADHD and a few of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the advantages and drawbacks of the medication.
Adults who suffer from ADHD may experience the same symptoms that children do, but it can be difficult to determine because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder in their family or may not be aware of having symptoms. It is crucial to take an extensive medical history to determine if the symptoms are caused by an illness, such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea or hearing and vision problems.
Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and other non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medication for treating adults with ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80 percentage range. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.
Adults with ADHD can take non-stimulant drugs that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. adhd treatment for adults medication , which is the most researched tricyclic, has been shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medicine and should be increased by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant that has been proven to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults. However, it is not as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving concentration or cognitive function.