ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent disorder of the nervous system that affects around 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of co-morbidity (depression, anxiety, addiction to drugs) and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medications
Many people with ADHD notice significant improvement in their symptoms and performance due to medication. Because of the different ways that people respond to medication, it is essential for those with ADHD to determine a mix that works best.
Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate. 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 may supplement an immediate-release medicine with an extended-release long-acting medicine at least every week to decrease the requirement to take it often throughout the day.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of medications can be used together with stimulants or in isolation to boost their effects. They can also increase the danger of serious side effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They have a calming affect and can help improve focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in certain adults. These medications can cause extremely low blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is decreased.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults with ADHD. Individual talk therapy can help them deal with feelings of shame and embarrassment over their ADHD as well as anger towards supervisors, coworkers teachers, family members and others who might nag or criticize them. In addition counseling for marriage and families can help couples with ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to impart skills and strategies that improve function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help individuals who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the sense of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists individuals in changing the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives. It also helps to develop new ways of thinking, feeling and doing. psychological treatment for adhd in adults -term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. It can be used alone or in combination with other therapies.
CBT could include group therapy, which can be particularly helpful for adults with ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to meet others who have similar struggles and to learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or by phone. One study compared the effects of CBT against standard therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvement in self-report assessments of functioning, symptoms and quality of life.
Several 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 sizes. These improvements were attributed to various modalities, including cognitive and interpersonal therapy as well as social skills training, problem solving training, as well as 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 variety of factors, including treatment characteristics and measures employed. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas in the brain that there is too much or little activity - and then instructing the person to manage these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these problems, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy strategies include interpersonal therapy to enhance the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control self-destructive, impulsive, and negative behaviors that could cause problems at school or work.
In certain cases psychotherapy is sometimes used in combination with medication for adults who are seeking treatment for adhd. Patients with comorbid disorders like 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 like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and an history of seizures must be treated more aggressively as they are at a higher risk of complications from medication.
If ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs might be recommended. These programs offer an organized treatment that is more intensive than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, executive function, and planning. It helps them understand and express emotions and utilizes exercises and worksheets to make the lessons engaging. Meditation training that is mindful enhances CBT and enhances a person's ability to focus and control their emotions. It also improves a person's capacity to manage the effects of stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with anger, sadness and other emotional issues that could be causing their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD often have difficulties functioning at home and at work. These issues can also impact relationships and lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you increase self-esteem, address the root causes of your issues and develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps you change your negative thoughts and behaviors. It concentrates on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods, and the perception that there are only a few possibilities.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or reduce the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. It is recommended to treat the most severe comorbidity and then observe its reaction to the medication prior treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life by establishing predictable routines to manage your time and money and build an optimistic image of yourself. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that may reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. Similarly, yoga and other exercise can help you focus better by stabilizing the body in different poses.
Marriage and family counseling can help address the issues that adults with ADHD often cause their spouses, children and others. They frequently complain of being erratic and unorganized. They often forget things or make decisions impulsively. You can strengthen your relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. It can aid you and your family members realize that the problem is caused by ADHD and not a lack in caring or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication treatments are available as treatments. A variety of medications are available for adults with ADHD and a few of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and drawbacks of the medications.
Adults who suffer from ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, however it can be difficult to diagnose them because childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. Adults with ADHD may also not have a family history of the disorder or may not be aware of symptoms. It is essential to take an extensive medical history to determine if the symptoms are caused by a medical condition, like thyroid issues such as sleep apnea, sleep apnea and vision issues.
Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective drugs to treat adults suffering from ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80% range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate may also be administered through a transdermal system. This allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.
Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine is the most studied tricyclic, and has been proven to be effective in adult patients with ADHD. It is a low dose medication and should be increased by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL, another antidepressant, has been shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist and blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter, thereby increasing its presence in the brain. This drug has been found to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults. However, it isn't as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving cognitive performance or concentration.