ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent condition of the nervous system that affects around 4,4 percent of the population. It is associated with a high rate of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse and significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults suffering from ADHD have significant improvements in their symptoms and performance due to medication. It is important that people suffering from ADHD discover the right combination of medication that works for them.
Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamines. 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 medicine every week to decrease the necessity to take it often throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated successfully with antidepressants such as desipramine. This class of medications can be used alone or in combination with stimulants to boost their effects. They may also increase the danger of serious side effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as alprazolam as well as clonidine are used for the treatment of people suffering from ADHD. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, possess a calming effect and can enhance focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. These medications can cause extremely low blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is reduced.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults with ADHD. Individual talk therapy can help them cope with feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD, as well as anger toward supervisors, colleagues, teachers and family members who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. Additionally counseling for marriage and families can help couples with ADHD understand each other's problems and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to teach strategies and techniques that enhance functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can also aid those who suffer from ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and sense of failure that is often associated with this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists individuals in changing the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives and to develop new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as doing. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has proven to be effective for a variety of illnesses such as anxiety and depression. It can be used on its own or in combination with other therapies.
CBT could include group therapy, which can be particularly helpful for adults with ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to interact with other people who are facing similar issues and discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults who have ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report measures such as symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms and effects, with sizes between medium and large. These improvements were attributed to diverse approaches that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving exercises, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is warranted when comparing the effectiveness of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is likely that the differences in outcome results are due to a variety of variables, including treatment characteristics, measures used and the background of the patient. A few studies have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas of the brain where there is too much or too little activity, and teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD also suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help to address these issues, which could contribute to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy techniques that can help improve the ability of a person to manage conflicts and create lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behaviors that can cause problems at school or work.
In certain cases psychotherapy can be used as an adjunct to the medication used for adhd treatment for adults. read on with comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs must be assessed carefully to ensure that they do not have symptoms that cannot be ameliorated by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history or seizures, must be treated with more vigor.
Outpatient intensive programs may be recommended when the person's ADHD is so severe that it interferes with their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer an organized treatment that is more intense than traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a type of cognitive therapy, helps adults with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive functioning. It helps them understand and express their emotions and utilizes worksheets and activities to make the lessons more enjoyable. The training in mindfulness meditation improves CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to concentrate and manage emotions. It also increases a person's ability to tolerate anxiety and stress. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger and other emotional issues which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD often have difficulties functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting their work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and can cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you increase self-esteem, address the root causes of your issues and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps you modify your negative beliefs and behaviors. In particular, it is focused on teaching you how to utilize time management strategies and overcome mental distortions that lead to negative moods and perceptions of a limited selection.
Many people with ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or even increase the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. It is recommended to treat the most severe comorbid condition and then monitor its response to the medication prior to treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can teach you how to manage your life and work, set up routines that are predictable, manage time and money and build a positive self-image. It can help you master ways to relax that could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Similarly yoga and other exercises can help you focus better by stabilizing the body in different poses.
Marriage and family counseling can help address the issues that adults suffering from ADHD often create for their spouses, children and others. They frequently complain of being erratic and unorganized. They often forget things or make impulsive decisions. You can strengthen your relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. It can help you and your family members to understand that the problem is caused by ADHD and not the lack of care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. There are a variety of medications available for adults suffering from ADHD and a few of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the various medications.
Adults with ADHD have the same symptoms as children, however it can be difficult to identify them since childhood symptoms may not persist into adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder in their family or may not be aware of experiencing symptoms. It is crucial to take a thorough medical history to determine whether the symptoms are related to an illness, such as thyroid problems such as sleep apnea, sleep apnea and vision problems.
Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants have the highest response rates for adults suffering from ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness vary between 70 and 70% to 80%. The most frequently used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate 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 mostly tricyclic antidepressants that target dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine is the most studied tricyclic drug and has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose medicine and should be increased by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, was shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and works by blocking the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic transportation system, thus increasing its presence in the brain. The drug is known to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity however it's not as effective at improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.