ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurological disorder that affects 4,4% of the population. It is associated by high rates of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety and substance abuse and significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most commonly prescribed medications.
Medications
Many people with ADHD have seen significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning when they take medication. Due to the various ways that people respond to medication, it is important for individuals with ADHD to discover a combination that is most effective.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamines. These stimulants are available as liquid or tablet form in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Some adults may supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medication that is taken daily to lessen the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can be treated effectively with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of drugs may be used in conjunction with stimulants or on their own to boost their effects. However, they may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects such as an increased heart rate, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, have the ability to calm and improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure when they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is decreased.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults with ADHD. Individual talk therapy can help them cope with their feelings of shame and embarrassment about their ADHD, as well as resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, family members and others who may nag or criticize them. Marriage and family counseling can be a great option to help couples with ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD aims to improve daily functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can help those who suffer from ADHD overcome their self-esteem issues and the feeling of failure they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that create 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 conditions such as anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies or alone.
CBT may also include group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for adults with ADHD as it allows them to meet others who are facing similar issues and learn how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults who have ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report indicators like symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments in adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms and effects, with sizes ranging from medium to large. These improvements were linked to diverse modalities like interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy, social skills training, problem solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
It is crucial to evaluate the efficacy between different treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that variations in the outcomes are due to a variety of variables, including the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used and the background of the patient. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing a hat with electrodes while performing cognitive tasks to pinpoint brain areas in which there is a lack or excess of activity. The person then learns to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can address these problems that may be contributing ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy approaches that can help improve the ability of individuals to resolve conflicts and develop lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to transform negative behaviors and assist in reducing self-destructive and impulsive behaviors that can lead to problems at school or at work.
In some instances psychotherapy may be utilized as an adjunct to medication for adult adhd in adults treatment. adhd in adults characterization diagnosis and treatment with comorbid conditions like bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs must be assessed carefully to ensure they do not have symptoms that cannot be ameliorated by the medications used to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, need to be treated more aggressively because they are more at risk for complications from the medications.
When ADHD is serious enough to affect the quality of life and daily functioning, intensive outpatient programs may be suggested. These programs offer structured therapy that is more intense than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD enhance their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as planning, and executive function. It helps them understand and express emotions and utilizes exercises and worksheets to make the lessons interesting. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT and enhances the ability of people to concentrate and manage their emotions. It enhances the capacity of a person to manage the effects of stress and arousal. It can help them cope with sadness, anger, and other difficult feelings that could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. In addition to affecting their work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and could cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues will allow you to improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It will also assist you in developing healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD, as it helps them change their negative beliefs and behavior. It is focused on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions which contribute to negative moods, and the perception that there are only a few choices.
Many adults with ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric conditions can cause or decrease the effectiveness of certain drugs used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe comorbidity first and observe the response to treatment prior to beginning treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your life and work by establishing predictable routines, control your time and money and build an optimistic image of yourself. It can help you learn techniques for relaxation that can reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other workouts can help you concentration by stabilizing your body during various postures.
Counseling for families and marriage 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 decisions. Classes and therapy in which spouses and other family members are educated on ADHD can help you establish more harmonious relationships. It can also help you and your family members realize that the problems 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 highly frequent. It is often accompanied by co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. There are a range of treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in trials. These studies have exposed the advantages and drawbacks of the medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD have the same symptoms as children, however it isn't always easy to identify them since childhood symptoms may not persist until adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD may also not have a family history of the disorder or might not remember the symptoms. It is crucial to take an extensive medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are related to an illness like thyroid issues or sleep apnea, and vision problems.
Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and other non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medication for treating adults with ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80 percent range. The most popular stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate can also be administered via a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery during the day.
Adults with ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that are based on norepinephrine, or dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been shown 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 seen.
adhd treatment for adults medication is another antidepressant that 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, increasing its availability in brain. The drug is known to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity, however, it's not as effective in improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.