ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4% of the general population. It is accompanied with a high rate of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, as well as significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Both medication and psychotherapy are effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults suffering from ADHD notice significant improvements in symptoms and performance due to medication. Because of the different ways that people respond to medication, it is crucial for people with ADHD to determine a mix that is most effective.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants like amphetamines or 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. psychological treatment for adhd in adults can supplement their immediate-release dose with an extended-release or longer-acting drug used once per day to decrease the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can be treated effectively with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of drugs can be utilized in conjunction with stimulants, or on their own to boost their effects. They can also increase the risk of serious adverse consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam or clonidine. They are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, can have the ability to calm and increase focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure when they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is decreased.
Adults with ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy helps those with ADHD to overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment towards co-workers and teachers, supervisors, and family members that might criticize or nag them. Counseling for families and marriage can be a great option to help couples with 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 techniques that enhance performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help those who suffer from ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the feeling of inadequacy they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives and to discover new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has proven to be effective for a variety of conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies or by itself.
CBT may include group therapy, which can be especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD as it offers the chance to connect with others with similar challenges and to discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or over the phone. One study compared the results of CBT with that of standard therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvements in self-report measures of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD, and all show significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were associated with various modalities, including cognitive and interpersonal therapy and social skills training. problem-solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
It is crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that the differences in outcome results depend on a variety of factors that include treatment characteristics, measures employed as well as the backgrounds of the patients. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This method involves wearing a hat with electrodes while performing cognitive tasks in order to identify brain areas where there is excessive or insufficient activity. The individual is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD also suffer from comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help with these problems, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy strategies include the use of interpersonal therapy to improve a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to transform negative behaviors and assist in managing self-destructive and impulsive behavior that can lead to problems at school or at work.
In certain cases psychotherapy may be utilized in conjunction with medications for adults adhd treatment. People who have comorbid conditions like bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs must be assessed carefully to make sure they don't 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 a history of seizures, must be treated more aggressively as they are at a higher risk of complications from medication.
When ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with the quality of life and daily functioning, intensive outpatient programs may be suggested. These programs provide more thorough and structured treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a type of cognitive therapy, assists adults suffering from ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive functioning. It helps them recognize and express feelings and utilizes worksheets and activities to make the learning interesting. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT and improves the ability of a person to concentrate and regulate their emotions. It also improves a person's ability to tolerate the effects of stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other emotions that could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. These symptoms can also affect relationships and lead to financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you build confidence in yourself and solve the underlying issues. It can also assist you in developing healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps you change your negative thoughts and behaviors. It focuses on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods, and the perception of a limited number of choices.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or exacerbate the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and monitor the effect of medication prior to beginning treatment for the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your work and life and establish routines that are predictable that help you control your time and money and create confidence in yourself. It will also help you learn relaxation techniques that can decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can also aid in improving your concentration by ensuring your body is stable in various poses.
Family and marriage counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to solve the problems they create for their spouses, kids and others. 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 about ADHD can help you develop more harmonious relationships. It can aid you and your family members to understand that the problem is due to ADHD, rather than the lack of care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is highly prevalent. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. There are a variety of medications available for adults suffering from ADHD, and some of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the drugs.
Adults suffering from ADHD may have the same symptoms as children do, but it can be difficult to determine because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their family or they may not remember having symptoms. It is crucial to take a thorough medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are due to an illness, like thyroid issues such as sleep apnea, sleep apnea and vision problems.
Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and other non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective drugs for treating adults with ADHD and their response rates are in the 70 - 80 percent range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also available as a transdermal solution, which allows for a continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants that work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic, and has been proven to be effective in adult patients suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose drug and should be increased by 50 mg every seven days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, was shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake in the presynaptic cellular transporter, increasing its availability in brain. This drug is known to improve the mood of adults and reduce hyperactivity however, it's not as effective in improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.