ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the general population. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, and substance abuse) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed medications.
Medications
Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning in response to medication. It is essential that those with ADHD discover the right combination of medication that works for them.
Stimulants, including amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed medications for adults with ADHD. They are available in tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. online adhd treatment for adults can augment an immediate-release medicine with an extended release long-acting medication once a week to reduce the need to take it often 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 drugs may be employed in conjunction with stimulants, or in isolation to boost their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious adverse effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam or clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and can improve focus, and reduce the amount of hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. These medications can result in very low blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is decreased.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy helps people overcome feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment against coworkers, teachers, supervisors, and family members that may criticize or nag them. Marriage and family counseling is also a great way to help couples suffering from ADHD better understand each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to help people learn strategies and skills that help improve functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and feelings of failure that is often associated with this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavior therapy, helps people change their negative thoughts and emotions that are causing difficulties in their lives. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or on its own.
CBT can involve group therapy, which is particularly helpful for adults with ADHD as it offers the chance to connect with others who have similar struggles and to learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or via the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults with ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report measures like symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been studied in comparison to other psychosocial treatments in adults with ADHD. All of these studies demonstrate significant reductions in ADHD symptoms with effects between medium and large. These improvements were associated with various modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving exercises and mindfulness meditation.
It is crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatments for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that the differences in outcome results reflect a number of variables that include the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used, and patient backgrounds. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to identify areas in the brain where there is too much or too little activity. Then, teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can address these problems which may be causing ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods 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 behaviors that could create problems at work or school.
In certain situations psychotherapy is sometimes used in conjunction with medication for adults with adhd treatment. Patients with co-occurring disorders like substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder should be assessed to ensure that their symptoms are not worsened through the use of medications to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history or seizures, need to be treated with more vigor.
When ADHD is serious enough to affect everyday functioning and quality of life, intensive outpatient programs may be suggested. These programs provide structured therapy that is more intense than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD improve their ability to manage time management and impulse control, executive function, and planning. It helps them recognize and express emotions, and it uses activities and worksheets to make the lessons engaging. The practice of mindfulness meditation improves CBT and improves the ability of a person's ability to concentrate and regulate emotions. It also enhances an individual's ability to tolerate the effects of stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with anger, sadness and other difficult emotions that may 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 allow you to improve your self-esteem and resolve underlying problems. It can also help you develop healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps you modify your negative beliefs and behaviors. In particular, it concentrates on teaching you to use time management strategies and overcome the distortions in your thinking that cause negative moods and a perception of a limited selection.
Many people with ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or reduce the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and monitor the response to treatment before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can teach you methods to organize your life and work, establish routines that are predictable, manage time and money and build confidence in yourself. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that may decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can also help you improve concentration by stabilizing your body in various poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can address the problems that adults with ADHD frequently create for their spouses, children and their families. They often complain about being unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and prone to making impulsive decisions. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are educated on ADHD can help you develop healthier relationships. Additionally, it can help you and your loved ones realize that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD instead of a lack of caring or a willful refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly common neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders. The use of medication and psychosocial interventions is available as treatments. There are a range of medications available for adults with ADHD. Some of these medications have been tested in studies. These studies have highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the medications.
Adults with ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, however it can be difficult to diagnose them because childhood symptoms may not persist throughout adulthood. Additionally, people with 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 in order to determine if the symptoms are due to an illness, like thyroid issues or sleep apnea, and vision issues.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants are the most effective medication for treating adults with ADHD and their response rates are in the 70 - 80% range. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be administered via a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery during the day.
Nonstimulant drugs for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that target norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a medication with a low dose that is recommended to be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is noticed.
Bupropion XL is another antidepressant that has been shown to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that is effective in blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter and increasing its presence in the brain. This drug has been found to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults, but it isn't as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving concentration or cognitive function.