ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known disorder of the nervous system that affects 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied with high rates of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression and addiction to drugs, and significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Both psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most commonly prescribed medications are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medications
Many adults with ADHD experience significant improvements in their symptoms and performance due to medications. Due to the various ways people respond to medications it is important for individuals with ADHD to find a combination that works best.
Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate. 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 augment an immediate-release medicine with an extended release long-acting medicine at least every week to lessen the requirement to take it often throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can be successfully treated with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of drugs can be used alone or in conjunction with stimulants to boost their effects. They can also increase the risk of serious adverse consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam as well as clonidine are utilized to treat people suffering from ADHD. These drugs were initially developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming affect and may improve focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in certain adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is decreased.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help them deal with feelings of shame and embarrassment about their ADHD, as well as anger towards supervisors, coworkers teachers, and family members who might nag or criticize them. Marriage and family counseling is a great method to help couples with ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is to help people learn skills and strategies that improve functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can help individuals who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the feeling of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives. It also helps to learn new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating many illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies or on its own.
CBT can include group therapy. This is especially beneficial for adults with ADHD as it allows them to meet others who face similar challenges and learn how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be offered in person or via phone. One study examined the effects of CBT with that of traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and discovered that both treatments resulted in improvement in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms and quality of life.
A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect size. These improvements were linked to a variety modalities including interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training, and mindfulness mediation.
It is important to compare the effectiveness of different treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that the different outcomes of the treatments reflect a number of variables that include treatment characteristics, measures employed, and patient backgrounds. There are few studies that have investigated 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 individual then learns to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD also have anxiety or mood disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help address these problems, which may be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy strategies include the use of interpersonal therapy to improve the capacity of individuals to establish meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to alter negative behaviors and assist in managing self-destructive and impulsive behaviors which can lead to issues at school or work.
In some cases psychotherapy is sometimes used in conjunction with medications for adults who are seeking treatment for adhd. People with co-occurring disorders like addiction to substances, depression and bipolar disorder should be assessed to ensure that their symptoms are not worsened by the medications used to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, need to be treated with more vigor because they are at a higher risk of developing complications from the medication.
Intensive outpatient programs might be suggested if the individual's ADHD is so severe that it significantly hinders their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide more intensive and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD improve their abilities to manage their time and impulse control, as well as planning, and executive function. It helps them understand and express feelings and utilizes activities and worksheets to make the learning interesting. The practice of mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and enhances the capacity of a person's ability to concentrate and regulate emotions. It enhances the capacity of a person's ability to handle the effects of stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. In addition to affecting work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and can lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you build confidence in yourself and resolve underlying problems. It can also assist you in developing healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches them how to change their negative attitudes and behavior. It focuses on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions that can lead to negative moods and the perception of a limited number of choices.
Many people suffering from ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or even increase the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbidity first and then monitor the effect of medication before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can teach you ways to organize your life and your work, create routines that are predictable, manage time and money and build a positive self-image. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that may reduce your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can help you improve concentration by stabilizing your body during different poses.
Family and marriage counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to resolve the issues they create for their spouses, kids and other family members. They often complain about being unreliable and disorganized. They are also prone to forget things or make decisions impulsively. adhd treatment for adults medication and classes where spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you develop more harmonious relationships. It can aid you and your family members realize that the problem is due to ADHD instead of a lack in caring or a refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly frequent neurobiological disorder. It is often associated with co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatment options. A wide range of medications are available for adults with ADHD and a few of them have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and drawbacks of the drugs.
Adults with ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children do, but it can be difficult to diagnose since childhood symptoms may not last into adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD may not have a history of the disorder in their family or they may not even remember having symptoms. It is essential to take a thorough medical history to determine if the symptoms are related to an illness, like thyroid issues or sleep apnea, and vision issues.
Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and other non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80% range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate may also be administered through a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery during the daytime.
Nonstimulant drugs for adults with ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants which work on dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has been shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a medication with a low dose 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 blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic cellular transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. This drug has been found to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults, but it is not as effective as stimulants in improving cognitive performance or concentration.