ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the general population. It is associated by high rates of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression and substance abuse as well as significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people who suffer from ADHD report significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning when they take medication. It is important that people suffering from ADHD find the combination of medications that is effective for them.
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most frequently prescribed medications for adults with ADHD. 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 medication every week to lessen the requirement to take it often throughout the day.
Antidepressants such as desipramine have also been proven to be effective in treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of medications can be employed together with stimulants or on their own to boost their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious side consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam or clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and can help improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in some adults. However, these medications can result in a drop in blood pressure if they are suddenly removed or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help them cope with feelings of shame and embarrassment about their ADHD and resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, and family members who might nag or criticize 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
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and sense of inadequacy that can be a result of this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives. It also helps to discover new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for a variety of disorders including anxiety and depression. It can be used by itself or in conjunction with other treatments.
CBT could involve group therapy, which can be especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD because it gives the opportunity to interact with other people who have similar struggles and to discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or over the phone. One study compared the effects of CBT in comparison to traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvement in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD and have all shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect size. These improvements were linked to various modalities such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving exercises, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is required when comparing the effectiveness of different therapies for adult ADHD. It is likely that differences in the outcomes are due to a range of factors, such as treatment characteristics and measures employed. Few studies have examined the effectiveness neurofeedback. This method involves wearing a hat with electrodes while performing cognitive tasks in order to identify brain areas where there is excessive or inadequate activity. The person is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD also have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy techniques that can aid in improving the ability of individuals to resolve conflicts and build meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to transform negative behaviors and assist in managing impulsive and self-destructive behaviors that can lead to problems at school or work.
In certain cases psychotherapy is sometimes used in combination with medication for adults who are seeking treatment for adhd. People who have comorbid conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs need to be evaluated carefully to make sure they don't suffer from symptoms that aren't improved by the medication that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history or seizures, should be treated more aggressively.
If ADHD is severe enough to interfere with daily functioning and quality-of-life intensive outpatient programs might be suggested. These programs offer a more intense and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
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 uses activities and worksheets to make the lessons engaging. The practice of mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and improves the ability of a person to focus and regulate emotions. It improves the ability of a person to manage stress and arousal. It helps them deal with anger, sadness and other emotional issues that may be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. These issues can also impact relationships and can lead to financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues will allow you improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It will also assist you in developing healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and helps them change their negative attitudes and behavior. adhd symptoms in adults treatment concentrates on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that contribute to negative moods, and the perception of limited possibilities.
Many adults with ADHD also suffer from comorbid anxiety or depression. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or reduce 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 its response to medication before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you learn how to manage your life and work, set up routines that are predictable, manage time and money and build confidence in yourself. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that may reduce your impulsivity and hyperactivity. In the same way, yoga and other exercise can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing the body in different postures.
Counseling for families and marriage can assist adults suffering from ADHD to overcome the problems they cause their spouses, kids and friends. They often complain about being unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. You can strengthen your relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. Furthermore it can help you and your loved ones to understand that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD rather than to a lack of caring or a willful refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a frequent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety and addiction disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatment options. A wide range of medications are available for adults with ADHD, and some of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and limitations of the medications.
Adults with ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, however it can be difficult to recognize them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist throughout adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD might not have any family background of the disorder or might not remember the symptoms. It is crucial 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 problems.
Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medication to treat adults suffering from ADHD and their response rates are within the 70-80 percentage range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also accessible in a transdermal system which allows for a continuous supply of medication throughout the day.
Nonstimulant drugs for adults with ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants that target norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine is the most studied tricyclic drug and has been proven to be effective in adult patients suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose medication and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL is another antidepressant which has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that is able to block the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic transporter, thereby increasing its presence in the brain. This drug has been proven to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity however it's not as effective at improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.