ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of co-morbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, addiction to drugs) and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medications
Many people with ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning in response to medication. It is important that people suffering from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that works for them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants like amphetamines or methylphenidate. They are available in liquid or tablet form in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. Some adults may supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or longer-acting drug taken once a day to reduce the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD are also successfully treated with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of drugs can be used in conjunction with stimulants or on their own to boost their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious adverse effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam and clonidine are also used for the treatment of people suffering from ADHD. These drugs were initially developed to treat hypertension. They are calming and can help improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in some adults. However, these medications could cause a drop in blood pressure when they are suddenly removed or reduced in dosage.
Adults with ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help people overcome feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment towards co-workers and supervisors, teachers, and family members that might nitpick or criticize them. Family and marriage counseling is a great method to help couples suffering from ADHD better understand each other and improve communication.
Recommended Internet page for adults suffering from ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also aid those 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 assists people to change negative thoughts and feelings that are causing problems in their lives. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has been found to be effective for a variety of disorders including anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments or alone.
CBT may also include group therapy. This is especially beneficial for people with ADHD as it allows them to connect with others who face similar challenges and learn about how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or via the phone. One study compared the results of CBT in comparison to conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and discovered that both treatments resulted in improvement in self-report assessments of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms with effects between medium and large. These improvements were attributed to a variety of modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving exercises, and mindfulness meditation.
It is crucial to evaluate the efficacy between different treatments for adult ADHD with caution. It is possible that the differences in the results of treatment result from a variety of factors, including treatment features and the methods employed. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to determine areas of the brain where there is too much or little activity. Then, teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD also suffer from comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues, which may be contributing to the ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy approaches which can improve a person’s ability to resolve conflicts and develop lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behaviors that could create difficulties at school or at work.
In some cases psychotherapy may be utilized as an adjunct to the medication used for adhd in adults treatment. Patients suffering from comorbid disorders such as substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder must be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms aren't made worse through the use of medications to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, must be treated with more vigor.
Outpatient intensive programs may be suggested if the individual's ADHD is so severe that it significantly hinders their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer more intensive and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD improve their ability to manage their time and impulse control, executive function, and planning. It helps them identify and express their emotions and employs worksheets and exercises to make the lessons more interesting. The training in mindfulness meditation improves CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to focus and regulate emotions. It enhances 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 affecting their work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and could cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It can also help you develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral Therapy is a great treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps you modify your negative beliefs and behaviors. It concentrates on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that can lead to negative moods and the perception that there are only a few options.
Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric conditions can cause or decrease the effectiveness of some drugs used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and monitor the response to treatment prior to attempting treatment for the other condition.
Occupational therapy can teach you methods to organize your life and work, set up predictable routines, manage time and money, and create confidence in yourself. It will also help you learn relaxation techniques that can reduce your impulsivity and hyperactivity. In the same way yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your focus by ensuring your body is stable in different postures.
Marriage and family counseling can help adults with ADHD to solve the problems they create for their spouses, kids and friends. They frequently complain that they are insecure, unorganized, and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. You can build stronger relationships by educating your spouses and family members about ADHD. Additionally it can aid you and your loved ones realize that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD instead of an absence of care or a willful refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is often associated with comorbid conditions such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medication interventions. There are a range of medications available for adults with ADHD. Certain of these medications have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of the medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD might experience the same symptoms as children do, but it can be difficult to identify because childhood symptoms might not persist in adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD may also not have a family background of the disorder or might not remember the symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to help determine whether the symptoms are due to an illness like thyroid problems, sleep apnea, issues with vision and hearing or lead poisoning.
Treatments for adults suffering from ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and other non-stimulant medications. Stimulants have the highest response rates for adults suffering from ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness range from 70% to 80%. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most commonly prescribed stimulants. 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 work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has been shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication that is recommended to be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is seen.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, was shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist and blocks the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its presence in the brain. This drug is known to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity, however it's not as effective in improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.