ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent condition of the nervous system that affects 44 percent of the population. It is associated with high rates of comorbidity. This includes depression, anxiety and addiction to drugs, as well as significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most commonly prescribed drugs.
Medications
Many people who suffer from ADHD report significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning when they take medication. Because of the different ways people respond to medications it is essential for those with ADHD to find a combination that is most effective.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants like amphetamines and methylphenidate. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid forms and can be taken as often as every three to four hours. Adults can augment an immediate-release medicine with an extended-release, long-acting medicine once a week to reduce the necessity to take it regularly throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can be successfully treated with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of drugs can be used on its own or in combination with stimulants to enhance their effects. However, they can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, such as an increased heart rate, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam and clonidine can also be utilized to treat adults with ADHD. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They are calming and can help improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in some adults. However, these drugs can cause a drop in blood pressure when they are suddenly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Adults with ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy helps those with ADHD to overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment toward coworkers, supervisors, teachers, and family members that might criticize or nag them. In addition, marriage and family counseling 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 with ADHD is to impart strategies and techniques that enhance functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can also aid those who suffer from ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and sense of inadequacy that can be a result of this condition.
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 lives. 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 many disorders, including depression and anxiety. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or on its own.
CBT can include group therapy. This is especially beneficial for adults with ADHD because it enables them to meet others who are facing similar issues and discover how they deal with their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or via the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults with ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures such as symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
CBT has been studied in comparison to other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms with effects between medium and large. These improvements were attributed to diverse modalities like interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy, social skills training, problem solving training, as well as mindfulness meditation.
It is important to compare the effectiveness of different treatments for adult ADHD with caution. It is likely that the differences in outcomes results result from a variety of factors, including the treatment characteristics and measures employed. There are few studies that have investigated the effectiveness neurofeedback. This method involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while performing cognitive tasks in order to pinpoint brain areas in which there is excessive or inadequate activity. The person then learns to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD also suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include interpersonal therapy to enhance a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help people manage impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behaviors that could create difficulties at school or at work.
In some cases, psychotherapy is utilized as an adjunct to medications for adult adhd in adults treatment. People with comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder and substance abuse must be assessed carefully to ensure they do not suffer from symptoms that aren't improved by the medication that are prescribed to treat ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and an history of seizures need to be treated more aggressively as they are at higher risk for complications from the medication.
When ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with daily functioning and quality-of-life, intensive outpatient programs may be suggested. These programs offer more intense and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD enhance their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as planning, and executive function. It helps them identify and express their feelings. It utilizes worksheets and activities to make the learning more interesting. Mindfulness meditation training improves CBT, and it improves a person's ability to focus and control their emotions. It also increases a person's ability to handle anxiety and stress. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other emotions that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. In addition to impacting work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and may lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you boost your self-esteem, solve the root causes of your issues and develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches them how to change their negative attitudes and behaviours. In particular, it concentrates on teaching you to use strategies to manage your time and eliminate the distortions in your thinking that cause negative moods and perceptions of a limited range of choices.
Many adults with ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or decrease 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 effect of medication prior to beginning treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life, establish predictable routines to manage your money and time and create a positive image of yourself. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that may reduce your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Additionally yoga and other exercises can help you improve your focus by ensuring your body is stable in different postures.
adhd in adults characterization diagnosis and treatment and family counseling can address the issues adults with ADHD often cause their spouses, children and their families. They frequently complain that they are insecure, unorganized, and prone to making impulsive decisions. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you develop healthier relationships. Furthermore, it can aid you and your loved ones to understand that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD rather than to an absence of care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a frequent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD. Some of these medications have been tested in studies. These studies have exposed the strengths and the limitations of the drugs.
Adults with ADHD may have the same symptoms that children do, but it can be difficult to diagnose since childhood symptoms may not last into adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder in their families or they may not even remember experiencing symptoms. It is essential to take a thorough medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are caused by a medical condition, such as thyroid problems or sleep apnea, and vision issues.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. The stimulants have the highest response rates for adults with ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness vary between 70 and 80percent. The most popular stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also accessible in a transdermal system, that allows for continuous supply of medication throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can take non-stimulant drugs that are based on norepinephrine, or dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication that is recommended to be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is seen.
Bupropion XL another antidepressant, has been shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist and works by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its use in the brain. This drug has been found to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults. However, it isn't as effective as stimulants in improving cognitive performance or concentration.