ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common condition of the nervous system that affects around 4,4% of the population. It is associated with high rates of comorbidity. This includes depression, anxiety and addiction to drugs, as well as significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are among the most frequently prescribed medications.
Medicines
Many adults suffering from ADHD notice significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning as a result of medication. Due to the many different ways that people react to medications, it is important for individuals with ADHD to find a combination that is most effective.
Stimulants, including amphetamines and methylphenidate, are the most frequently prescribed drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. These stimulants are available in tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Some adults supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medicine taken once a 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 combination with stimulants to boost their effects. However, they may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects like an increased heart rate, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
untreated adhd in adults depression with ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These drugs were initially developed to treat hypertension. They are calming and can help improve focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in some adults. These medications can result in very low blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is reduced.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy helps those with ADHD to overcome feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment against coworkers, supervisors, teachers, and family members that may criticize or nag them. Counseling for families and marriage can be a great option to help couples suffering from ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD aims to improve daily functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can help individuals who suffer from ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the feeling of failure they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives. It also helps to discover new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has proven to be effective for many disorders including anxiety and depression. It can be used by itself or in conjunction with other treatments.
CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is especially beneficial for adults with ADHD because it allows them to connect with others who face similar challenges and learn how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or via 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 measures of functioning, symptoms and quality of life.
CBT has been studied in comparison to other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms with effects ranging from medium to large. These improvements were attributed to a variety modalities including cognitive and interpersonal therapy, social skills training, problem solving training, as well as mindfulness meditation.
It is crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of different treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. It is possible that the differences in the results of treatment result from a variety of factors, including the treatment characteristics and measures employed. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas in the brain that there is too much or little activity, and instructing the person to manage these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues, which may be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include interpersonal therapy to enhance the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help people manage self-destructive, impulsive and negative behaviors that could cause problems at work or school.
In some cases, psychotherapy can be used in conjunction with medication for adults who are seeking treatment for adhd. People who have comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder, and substance abuse need to be evaluated carefully to ensure they do not have symptoms that cannot be improved by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, should be treated with more vigor.
Outpatient intensive programs may be recommended when the person's ADHD is such that it hinders their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer a more intense and structured treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of cognitive therapy, helps people with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time planning, impulse control and executive functioning. It teaches them to recognize and express their emotions, and it uses activities and worksheets to make the lessons interesting. Mindfulness meditation training improves CBT and improves the ability of a person to concentrate and regulate their emotions. It also improves a person's ability to handle the effects of stress and arousal. It can help them cope with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD often report difficulty functioning at home and at work. These issues can also impact relationships and can lead to financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you improve your self-esteem and address the root of the issue. It can also help you develop healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults with ADHD, as it teaches them how to change their negative thoughts and behaviours. It focuses on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions that can lead to negative moods and the perception that there are only a few possibilities.
Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric conditions can cause or decrease the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore adhd symptoms in adults treatment is recommended you treat the most severe comorbidity first and monitor the response to treatment prior to attempting treatment for the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you learn methods to organize your life and work, establish regular routines, manage your time and money, and create a positive self-image. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that may reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can help you concentration by stabilizing your body during various postures.
Counseling for families and marriage can assist adults suffering from ADHD to solve the problems they cause their spouses, kids and other family members. They often complain about being unstable, unorganized, forgetful and prone to making impulsive decisions. You can strengthen your relationships by educating your spouses and family members about ADHD. It can help you and your family members understand that the issues are due to ADHD, rather than an inability to care or a refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that is extremely common. It is often accompanied by other disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medication interventions. There are a variety of medications available for adults suffering from ADHD and a few of them have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted the strengths and drawbacks of the medications.
Adults with ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, but it can be difficult to recognize them since childhood symptoms might not last throughout adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their family or they may not even remember experiencing symptoms. It is important to have an extensive medical history to determine whether the symptoms are due to an illness, like thyroid issues, sleep apnea or hearing and vision issues.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. The stimulants have the highest response rates for adults suffering from ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness range between 70 and 70% to 80%. The most popular stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also available as a transdermal solution, which permits continuous drug delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that work on dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic and has been shown to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. 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 which has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its presence in the brain. This drug has been shown to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults, but it isn't as effective as stimulants in improving cognitive performance or concentration.