ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known disorder of the nervous system that affects 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity (depression, anxiety, addiction to drugs) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed medications.
untreated adhd in female adults symptoms with ADHD experience significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning due to medication. Due to the many different ways that people react to medications, it is essential for those with ADHD to discover a combination that is most effective.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants like amphetamines or methylphenidate. These stimulants are available as tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. Some adults can supplement their immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medicine used once per day to reduce the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been proven to be effective in treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of drugs may be utilized together with stimulants or alone to enhance their effects. However, they can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects such as rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as alprazolam as well as clonidine are utilized to treat people suffering from ADHD. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, can have an calming effect and are able to increase focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity in certain adults. However, these medications could cause a drop in blood pressure when they are suddenly removed or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help them cope with their feelings of shame and embarrassment over their ADHD, as well as anger toward supervisors, colleagues, teachers and family members who may nag or criticize them. In addition counseling for marriage and families can help couples with ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD aims to improve daily functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can also aid those with ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and feelings of failure that often accompanies this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives and to develop new ways of thinking, feeling and doing. This short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for many illnesses including anxiety and depression. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT can include group therapy. This is especially beneficial for those suffering from ADHD because it allows them to connect with other people who have similar struggles and discover how they deal with their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or via the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults who have ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report indicators like symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
CBT has been studied in comparison to other psychosocial treatments in adults with ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes between medium and large. These improvements were associated with diverse approaches that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving, and mindfulness meditation.
It is important to compare the efficacy between different treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that the differences in outcome results depend on a variety of factors such as treatment characteristics, measures employed and the background of the patient. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to determine areas of the brain where there is too much or too little activity. Then, teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy methods that can help improve the ability of individuals to resolve conflicts and build lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to change negative behavior and assist in reducing self-destructive and impulsive behaviors which can lead to issues at school or work.
In certain cases psychotherapy is sometimes used in combination with medication for adults with adhd treatment. People with comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs should be evaluated with care to ensure that they do not have symptoms that are not improved by the medication that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, must be treated more aggressively.
When ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with daily functioning and quality-of-life intensive outpatient programs might be recommended. These programs provide structured treatment that is more intense than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as organizing, and executive function. It helps them understand and express their emotions and employs worksheets and exercises to make the lessons more enjoyable. Meditation training that is mindful enhances CBT and enhances the ability of a person to concentrate and control their emotions. It increases the capacity of a person to manage 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 often report difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to impacting work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and may cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help increase self-esteem, address the root of your issue and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps you change your negative beliefs and behaviors. It focuses on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions that can cause negative moods, and the perception of limited choices.
Many people with ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or even increase the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. It is therefore recommended to first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then observe its response to the medication prior to treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you learn how to manage your life and work, establish routines that are predictable, manage time and money, and create a positive self-image. It can help you master ways to relax that could reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. In the same way, yoga and other exercise can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing your body in various poses.
Family and marriage counseling can help adults with ADHD to resolve the issues they cause their spouses, kids and others. They often complain of being undependable and unorganized. They often forget things or make decisions impulsively. You can strengthen your relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. Furthermore it can aid you and your loved ones to understand that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD instead of an absence of care or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is highly frequent. It is often associated with other disorders that are comorbid, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatments. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD. Certain of these medications have been tested in clinical trials. untreated adhd in adults test have exposed the strengths and the limitations of the drugs.
Adults with ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children do, but it is difficult to identify because childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD may not have a history of the disorder in their family or may not be aware of having symptoms. It is essential to take a thorough medical history to determine if the symptoms are caused by a medical condition, such as thyroid problems or sleep apnea, and vision problems.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants are the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are within the 70-80% range. The most frequently used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate can also be found in a transdermal system, which allows for a continuous drug delivery throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, the most studied tricyclic, has been shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose drug and should be increased by 50 mg every seven days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is another antidepressant that has been shown to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that is effective in blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic cellular transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. The drug is known to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity however, it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.