ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent condition of the nervous system that affects 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied with a high rate of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression and addiction to drugs, as well as significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD have significant improvements in symptoms and functioning due to medication. Due to the various ways people respond to medications it is crucial for people with ADHD to find a combination that is effective.
Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants like amphetamines or methylphenidate. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form, and can be taken as often as every three to four hours. Adults can supplement their immediate-release medicine with an extended-release long-acting medicine at least every week to lessen the necessity to take it often throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated successfully with antidepressants like desipramine. This class of drugs may be used in conjunction with stimulants or alone to enhance their effects. However, they can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects like rapid heartbeat, 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, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, have a calming effect and can increase focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. These medications can lead to very low blood pressure when they suddenly stop, or the dosage is decreased.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them deal with their feelings of shame and embarrassment over their ADHD and resentment toward co-workers, supervisors, teachers and family members who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. Additionally counseling for marriage and families can help couples suffering from ADHD understand each other's problems and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD aims to improve daily functioning by teaching strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can help people with ADHD overcome their self-esteem issues and the feeling of inadequacy they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists individuals in changing the negative thoughts that create difficulties in their lives and to develop new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies or alone.
CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for those suffering from ADHD as it allows them to meet others who are facing similar issues and learn how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or via the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to standard therapy for adults with ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures such as symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD, and all show significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were linked to various modalities that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training and mindfulness meditation.
It is important to compare the effectiveness of various treatments for adult ADHD with caution. It is possible that the differences in outcome results depend on a variety of factors such as the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used and the background of the patient. A few studies have looked into 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 insufficient activity. adhd treatment in adults is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues, which could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to enhance the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to alter negative behaviors and assist in managing impulsive and self-destructive behaviors that can cause problems at school or work.
In some cases psychotherapy may be utilized in combination with medication for adults adhd treatment. People with co-occurring disorders like substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder must be assessed to ensure their symptoms aren't made worse by medications used to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and seizures in the past, have to be treated with more vigor because they are at a higher risk for complications from the medication.
If ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with everyday functioning and quality of life, intensive outpatient programs may be recommended. These programs offer more intensive and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD improve their abilities to manage time and impulse control, as well as organizing, and executive function. It helps them identify and express their feelings and employs worksheets and exercises to make the learning more engaging. The practice of mindfulness meditation enhances CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to focus and manage emotions. It increases the capacity of a person to manage stress and arousal. It can help them deal with anger, sadness and other emotional issues 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 can lead to financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you build confidence in yourself and address the root of the issue. It can also help you develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD, as it teaches them how to change their negative attitudes and behaviors. It focuses on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions that can cause negative moods, and the perception that there are only a few possibilities.
Many adults with ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or even increase the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and monitor its response to medication before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your life and work by establishing predictable routines that help you manage your money and time and build a positive image of yourself. It can also help you learn ways to relax that could reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other workouts can help you improve concentration by stabilizing your body during various postures.
Counseling for families and marriage can help adults with ADHD to solve the problems they cause their children, spouses and others. They frequently complain of being undependable and unorganized. They often forget things or make impulsive choices. You can strengthen relationships by educating your spouses and family members about ADHD. It can also help you and your family members to understand that the problems are due to ADHD, rather than an inability to care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is highly frequent. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication treatments are available as treatments. There are a variety of medications available to adults suffering from ADHD, and some of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and limitations of the various medications.
Adults with ADHD may experience the same symptoms that children do, but it is difficult to determine since childhood symptoms may not last into adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD may not have a history of the disorder in their families or may not be aware of experiencing symptoms. adhd in adults treatment is necessary to help determine whether the symptoms are due to medical conditions like thyroid problems, sleep apnea, vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. Stimulants have the highest response rates for adults with ADHD. Their response rates range from 70 to 80percent. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be administered via a transdermal system. This allows for continuous medication delivery during the daytime.
Adults with ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication which should be increased each seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake in the presynaptic cellular transporter and increasing its presence in the brain. The 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.