ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent neurological disorder that affects around 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, substance abuse) and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Both medication and psychotherapy are effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed drugs.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning in response to medications. It is crucial that people with ADHD find the combination of medications that is effective for them.
Stimulants, including amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most commonly 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. Some adults may supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medicine that is taken daily to lessen the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD are also successfully treated with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of medications can be employed in conjunction with stimulants, or in isolation to boost their effects. They can also increase the risk of serious adverse consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam and clonidine can also be used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and can improve focus, and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in certain adults. However, these medications could cause a drop in blood pressure if they are suddenly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help them deal with feelings of shame and embarrassment about their ADHD, as well as anger toward supervisors, colleagues teachers, family members and others who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. Additionally counseling for untreated adhd in adults depression and families can help couples with ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to teach strategies and skills that help improve functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can also aid those with ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy that can be a result of this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavioral therapy, assists people to change negative thoughts and feelings that cause difficulties in their lives. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for a variety of conditions such as anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments or on its own.
CBT could include group therapy, which is especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to meet others with similar challenges and to discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be offered in person or via phone. One study examined the effects of CBT with that of conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and discovered that both treatments resulted in improvement in self-report assessments of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been studied in comparison to other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD. All of these studies demonstrate significant reductions in ADHD symptoms and effects, with sizes that range from moderate to large. These improvements were linked to various modalities, including cognitive and interpersonal therapy and social skills training. problem-solving training, and mindfulness mediation.
However, caution is required in comparing the efficacy of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is likely that the different outcomes of the treatments reflect a number of variables that include the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used as well as the backgrounds of the patients. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while performing cognitive tasks to identify areas in the brain where there is too much or too little activity - and then teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help address these issues that may be contributing ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy strategies include interpersonal therapy to enhance the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control self-destructive, impulsive and negative behaviors that could create difficulties at school or at work.
In certain cases, psychotherapy is used as an adjunct to the medication used for ADHD treatment for adults. People who have comorbid conditions such as 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 used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, should be treated with more vigor.
When ADHD is serious enough to affect the quality of life and daily functioning, intensive outpatient programs may be suggested. These programs provide more intensive and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of cognitive therapy, assists adults suffering from ADHD to improve their ability to manage time planning, impulse control and executive functioning. It teaches them to recognize and express emotions, and it uses worksheets and activities to make the lessons interesting. Mindfulness meditation training improves CBT, and it improves a person's ability to focus and control their emotions. It also enhances an individual's ability to handle the effects of stress and arousal. It helps them deal with anger, sadness and other emotions which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. These symptoms can also affect relationships and cause financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you to improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It will also assist you in developing healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults with ADHD because it teaches you how to modify your negative beliefs and behavior. Particularly, it is focused on teaching you how to employ strategies for managing time and overcoming mental distortions that lead to negative moods and perceptions of a limited range of choices.
Many people with ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or diminish the effectiveness of some treatments for ADHD. Therefore it is recommended that you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and then monitor the response to treatment prior to attempting treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your life and work and establish routines that are predictable to manage your money and time and build a positive image of yourself. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that could reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. Similarly, yoga and other exercise can help you focus better by stabilizing your body in various poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can address the problems that adults with ADHD frequently cause their spouses, children and their families. They frequently complain of being erratic and unorganized. They often forget things or make decisions impulsively. You can build stronger relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. Furthermore it can help you and your loved ones realize that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD rather than the lack of compassion or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder. It is often associated with other disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatments. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD, and some of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the medications.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have the same symptoms as children, however it isn't always easy to identify them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist into adulthood. Adults who suffer from ADHD may not have any family background of the disorder or may not be aware of symptoms. It is important to have a thorough medical history to determine whether the symptoms are related to an illness such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea or hearing and vision issues.
Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and other non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80% range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal device. This permits continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants which work on dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine is the most studied tricyclic and has been shown to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. adhd symptoms in adults treatment is a low dose medicine and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL another antidepressant, was shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its use in the brain. This drug is known to boost mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity however it's not as effective in improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.