ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known disorder of the nervous system that affects 44% of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, and substance abuse) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most commonly prescribed drugs.
Medications
Many adults suffering from ADHD experience significant improvements in symptoms and functioning as a result of medication. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD find the combination of medications that works for them.
Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid forms and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Some adults may supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medicine used once per day to lessen the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can be successfully treated with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of medications can be used alone or in conjunction with stimulants to enhance their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious side effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, have the ability to calm and improve focus and decrease the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in certain adults. However, these medications can result in a drop in blood pressure if they are suddenly removed or reduced in dosage.
Adults with ADHD may also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy can help them cope with their feelings of shame and embarrassment about their ADHD, as well as resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, and family members who may nag or criticize them. Family and marriage counseling is also a great way to help couples suffering from ADHD better understand each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by teaching strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also assist people with ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and feeling of failure that often accompanies this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavioral therapy, helps people change their negative thoughts and feelings that are causing difficulties in their lives. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has proven to be effective for a variety of disorders such as anxiety and depression. It can be used by itself or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for those suffering from ADHD because it enables them to connect with other people who are facing similar issues and learn how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or via the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to standard therapy for adults with ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report measures such as symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
Several studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for people with ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect size. These improvements were associated with diverse approaches such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
It is important to compare the effectiveness of different treatments for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that variations in the outcomes are due to a variety of variables such as treatment characteristics, measures employed, and patient backgrounds. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while doing cognitive tasks to identify brain areas where there is excessive or inadequate activity. The individual is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help to address these issues, which could be contributing to the ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy methods which can improve the ability of individuals to resolve conflicts and build meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to change negative behavior and assist in reducing self-destructive and impulsive behavior that can cause problems at work or school.
In certain cases psychotherapy may be utilized in combination with medication for adults with adhd treatment. Patients suffering from comorbid disorders such as substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder must be assessed to ensure their symptoms aren't made worse through the use of medications to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and an history of seizures need to be treated more aggressively as they are more at risk for complications from the medication.
Intensive outpatient programs might be recommended when the person's ADHD is so severe that it significantly interferes with their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide structured treatment that is more intense than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of cognitive therapy, aids adults with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive functioning. It helps them understand and express emotions and uses exercises and worksheets to make the learning interesting. The practice of mindfulness meditation improves CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to focus and regulate emotions. It also improves a person's capacity to manage stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. These issues can also impact relationships and cause financial difficulties. adhd in adults untreated that addresses these issues can help you improve your self-esteem, resolve the root causes of your issues and develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment is an effective treatment for adults with ADHD, as it helps them change their negative thoughts and behavior. Particularly, it is focused on teaching you how to utilize strategies to manage your time and eliminate mental distortions that lead to negative moods and the perception of a limited range of choices.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from anxiety or depression. These psychiatric conditions can cause or reduce the effectiveness of some drugs used to treat ADHD. It is recommended to treat the most severe comorbid condition and then observe its response to the medication prior to treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can teach you methods to organize your life and work, set up regular routines, manage your money and time and develop an optimistic self-image. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that can decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other workouts can help you improve concentration by ensuring your body is stable in various postures.
Counseling for families and marriage can help adults with ADHD to solve the problems they create for their spouses, kids and friends. They often complain of being erratic and unorganized. They also tend to forget things or make impulsive decisions. You can strengthen your relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. Additionally it can help you and your loved ones realize that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD rather than the lack of compassion or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly common neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity. This includes depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication treatments are available as treatments. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD, and some of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and drawbacks of the drugs.
Adults suffering from ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children have, but it's difficult to determine because the symptoms of childhood may not last into adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder in their families or they may not remember experiencing symptoms. A thorough medical history is important to help determine whether the symptoms are caused by medical conditions such as a thyroid problem or sleep apnea. It could also be due to issues with vision and hearing or lead poisoning.
Treatments for adults suffering from ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. The stimulants have the highest response rates for adults suffering from ADHD. Their response rates vary between 70 and 70% to 80%. The most commonly used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate may also be administered via a transdermal system. This allows for continuous medication delivery during the daytime.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants which work on dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic and has been shown to be effective in adult patients with ADHD. 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 that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter and increasing its presence in the brain. This drug has been proven to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity, but it's not as effective at improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.