ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4% of the general population. It is accompanied with a high rate of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, as well as significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medications
Many people with ADHD experience significant improvements in their symptoms and performance due to medication. It is important that people who suffer from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that is effective for them.
Stimulants, like amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. They are available in tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Adults can supplement their immediate-release medicine with an extended-release long-acting medicine at least every week to lessen the requirement to take it regularly throughout the day.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of medications can be used on its own or in combination with stimulants to increase their effects. They can also increase the risk of serious side effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam or clonidine. They are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They are calming and can improve focus, and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in some adults. These medications can lead to extremely low blood pressure if they are suddenly stopped, or the dosage is decreased.
Psychotherapy is also useful for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual talk therapy can help them cope with their feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD and resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, and family members who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. Family and marriage counseling is a great method to help couples with ADHD to better understand each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by teaching strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can help those with ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the feeling of inadequacy they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that cause difficulties in their lives and to discover new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as doing. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for a variety of disorders, including depression and anxiety. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT can include group therapy, which is especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD as it offers the opportunity to interact with other people with similar challenges and to learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be offered in person or by phone. In one study, CBT was compared to the standard treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report measures like symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments in adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies have shown significant reductions in ADHD symptoms with effects between medium and large. These improvements were associated with various modalities that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving exercises and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is warranted in comparing the efficacy of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is likely that differences in the outcomes result from a variety of factors, such as treatment features and the methods employed. A few studies have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to determine areas in the brain that there is too much or too little activity - and then teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can address these problems that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to enhance the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to alter negative behaviors and assist in managing self-destructive and impulsive behavior that can cause problems at school or at work.
In certain cases psychotherapy can be used as an adjunct to the medication used for adhd in adults treatment . People with co-occurring disorders like substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder should be assessed to ensure that their symptoms aren't made worse by the medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, must be treated with more vigor.
When ADHD is severe enough to interfere with the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs could be suggested. These programs offer a more intense and structured treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of cognitive therapy, assists adults with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time planning, impulse control and executive function. It helps them understand and express their emotions and utilizes worksheets and activities to make the learning more engaging. The training in mindfulness meditation improves CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to focus and manage emotions. It increases the capacity of a person to manage anxiety and stress. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger and other emotions that could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD experience difficulties at work and at home. In addition to affecting work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and could cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you to improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It will also assist you in developing healthy coping methods.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps them change their negative beliefs and behavior. In particular, it is focused on teaching you how to employ strategies to manage your time and eliminate thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and the perception of a limited selection.
Many adults with ADHD also suffer from comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or diminish the effectiveness of some drugs used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and observe the effect of medication before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your work and life and establish routines that are predictable to manage your time and money, and develop a positive image of yourself. It can help you learn ways to relax that could reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other workouts can aid in improving your concentration by ensuring your body is stable in various postures.
Family and marriage counseling can help adults with ADHD to solve the problems they cause their children, spouses and other family members. They frequently complain that they are insecure, unorganized, and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. Classes and therapy in which spouses and other family members are educated on ADHD can help you develop healthier relationships. It can also help you and your family members realize that the problem is due to ADHD instead of the lack of care or a refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that is highly prevalent. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. A wide range of medications are available for adults suffering from ADHD and some of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and the limitations of the drugs.
Adults with ADHD may experience the same symptoms as children do, but it can be difficult to determine because childhood symptoms might not persist in adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD may not have a history of the disorder in their families or they may not even remember having symptoms. A thorough medical history is important to help determine whether the symptoms are caused by a medical condition such as a thyroid problem or sleep apnea. It could also be due to issues with vision and hearing or lead poisoning.
Treatments for adults suffering from ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. Stimulants have the highest reaction rates for adults with ADHD. Their responsiveness rates range from 70% to 70% to 80%. The most frequently used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate can also be found in a transdermal system, which permits continuous supply of medication throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that work by affecting 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 which should be increased each seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, has been proven to be effective in 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 has been proven to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults, however it is not as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving cognitive performance or concentration.