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.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most commonly prescribed medications are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults suffering from ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms and performance due to medications. Due to the various ways that people react to medications, it is crucial for people with ADHD to discover a combination that is effective.
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most frequently prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form, and can be taken as often as every three to four hours. Adults can supplement their immediate-release medicine with an extended-release long-acting medicine at least every week to lessen the necessity to take it regularly throughout the day.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been proven to be effective in treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of medications can be used on its own or in conjunction with stimulants to enhance their effects. However, they can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, such as a rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as alprazolam as well as clonidine are used 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 the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among some adults. However, these medications can cause a drop in blood pressure if they are suddenly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults suffering from 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, family members and others who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. Marriage and family counseling is a great method to help couples suffering from ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by teaching strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can help those with ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the feeling of inadequacy they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives. It also helps to discover new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as acting. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven effective in treating many conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments or by itself.
CBT can involve group therapy, which is particularly helpful for adults with ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to meet others who have similar struggles and to learn from others how they 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 helped improve self-reporting measures like symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for people with ADHD, and all show significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were attributed to diverse modalities like cognitive and interpersonal therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training, and mindfulness mediation.
However, caution is advised in comparing the efficacy of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is likely that variations in the outcomes are due to a variety of variables such as the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used and the background of the patient. There are few studies that have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing a hat with electrodes while doing cognitive tasks to determine brain regions where there is excessive or inadequate activity. The person is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues, which could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy methods which can improve the ability of a person to resolve conflicts and build meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage self-destructive, impulsive and negative behavior that can create problems at work or school.
In certain cases psychotherapy can be used as an adjunct to the medication used for ADHD treatment for adults. Patients with co-occurring disorders like depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder should be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms aren't aggravated through the use of medications to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history or seizures, should be treated more aggressively.
In-depth outpatient programs could be suggested if the individual's ADHD is so severe that it significantly hinders their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer a more thorough and structured treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of cognitive therapy, assists people with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as planning and executive functioning. It helps them recognize and express their emotions and utilizes worksheets and activities to make the lessons more interesting. Meditation training that is mindful enhances CBT and enhances a person's ability to focus and regulate their emotions. It enhances the capacity of a person to manage stress and arousal. It can help them deal with sadness, anger and other emotions that could be causing their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. These symptoms can also affect relationships and lead to financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help increase self-esteem, address underlying problems and establish healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults with ADHD, as it helps them to alter their negative beliefs and behaviors. It concentrates on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions which can lead to negative moods and the perception that there are only a few choices.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from anxiety or depression. These psychiatric disorders can reduce or even increase the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and observe the response to treatment prior to beginning treatment for the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life and establish routines that are predictable that help you control your time and money and build confidence in yourself. It can also help you learn techniques for relaxation that can reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Additionally yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your focus by ensuring your body is stable in different poses.
Marriage and family counseling can help adults with ADHD to overcome the problems they cause their children, spouses and others. They often complain of being erratic and unorganized. They are also prone to forget things or make impulsive choices. You can strengthen relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. Furthermore it can help you and your loved ones understand that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD rather than the lack of compassion or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly frequent neurobiological disorder. It is often accompanied by other disorders that are comorbid, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication treatments are available as treatments. There are a range of medications available for adults with ADHD. Some of these medications have been tested in studies. These studies have revealed the strengths and drawbacks of the various medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD may have the same symptoms as children have, but it's difficult to diagnose because childhood symptoms might not persist in adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their family or may not be aware of having symptoms. It is important to have a thorough medical history in order to determine whether the symptoms are caused by an illness, such as thyroid problems such as sleep apnea, sleep apnea and vision issues.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants are the most effective medication for treating adults with ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80 percentage range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be found in a transdermal system which permits continuous medication 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 studied tricyclic, and has been proven to be effective in adult patients with ADHD. It is a low dose drug and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired effect is observed.
adhd in adults treatment is a second antidepressant that has been proven to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that is effective in blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transportationer which increases its accessibility to the brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults, however it isn't as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving cognitive performance or concentration.