ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the general population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, and alcohol abuse) and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Both psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed medications.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD have significant improvements in symptoms and performance due to medications. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that is effective for them.
Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants, such as methylphenidate or amphetamines. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form and can be taken as often 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.
Desipramine and other antidepressants have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of drugs can be utilized in conjunction with stimulants or in isolation to boost their effects. However, they could increase the risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects like a rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as alprazolam as well as clonidine are used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, possess a calming effect and can improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulsivity in certain adults. These medications can lead to extremely low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is reduced.
Adults with ADHD may also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy can help them deal with their feelings of shame and embarrassment over their ADHD, as well as resentment toward co-workers, supervisors, teachers and family members who might nag or criticize them. Marriage and family counseling is a great method to help couples suffering from ADHD better understand each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
The primary goal of psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is to help people learn strategies and techniques that enhance performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help people with ADHD overcome their self-esteem issues and the feeling of failure they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavioral therapy, assists people to change negative thoughts and feelings that are causing problems in their life. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven effective in treating a variety of conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other treatments.
CBT can involve group therapy, which can be especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD as it offers the opportunity to interact with other people with similar challenges and to learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or by 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.
Numerous studies have evaluated CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were attributed to a variety modalities including interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy as well as social skills training, problem solving training, and mindfulness mediation.
However, caution is warranted when comparing the effectiveness of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is possible that the differences in the outcomes are due to a range of factors, including treatment characteristics and the measures employed. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while performing cognitive tasks to pinpoint brain areas in which there is excessive or inadequate activity. The person then learns to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which could be contributing to the ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to improve the capacity of individuals to establish meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage self-destructive, impulsive, and negative behaviors that could cause difficulties at school or at work.
In some cases psychotherapy may be used as an alternative to medications for adult adhd treatment for adults. Patients suffering from comorbid disorders such as addiction to substances, depression and bipolar disorder must be assessed to ensure that their symptoms aren't made worse by medications used to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and an history of seizures have to be treated more aggressively because they are at a higher risk of developing complications from the medications.
When ADHD is severe enough to interfere with everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs might be recommended. These programs offer a more intense and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD improve their ability to manage their time, impulse control, executive function, and planning. It helps them understand and express feelings, and it uses activities and worksheets to make the learning interesting. The practice of mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and improves the ability of a person to concentrate and manage emotions. Read the Full Article enhances the capacity of a person to manage the effects of stress and arousal. It can help them deal with anger, sadness and other emotions that could be causing their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD often have difficulties functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and could lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you build confidence in yourself and address the root of the issue. It can also assist you in developing healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment is an effective treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps them to alter their negative thoughts and behaviors. It focuses on teaching time management techniques and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that can cause negative moods, and the perception of a limited number of options.
Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or decrease the effectiveness of certain treatments for ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended to first treat the most severe comorbidity and then observe its response to the medication prior to treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you learn methods to organize your life and work, set up regular routines, manage your time and money and build confidence in yourself. It will also help you learn relaxation techniques that can reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. Similarly yoga and other forms of exercise can help you improve your focus by stabilizing your body in different poses.
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 about being insecure, unorganized, and prone to making impulsive decisions. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you develop more harmonious relationships. Moreover it can aid you and your loved ones understand that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD instead of a lack of caring or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is highly frequent. It is accompanied by high rates 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 with ADHD. Certain of these medications have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted both the advantages and drawbacks of the drugs.
Adults suffering from ADHD have the same symptoms as children, however it can be difficult to recognize them since childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. Adults with ADHD may also not have an ancestral background of the disorder or may not be aware of symptoms. It is essential to take a thorough medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are due to an illness such as thyroid problems or sleep apnea, and vision issues.
Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medication for treating adults with ADHD and their response rates are within the 70-80 percentage range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal device. This allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been proven to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication that should be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL, another antidepressant, has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and is able to block the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transportation system, thus increasing its presence in the brain. This drug is known to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity but it's not as effective at improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.