ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurological disorder that affects 44 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, and addiction to drugs) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Medications and psychotherapy are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvement in their symptoms and performance as a result of medication. Because of the different ways that people react to medications, it is crucial for people with ADHD to discover a combination that works best.
Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed medications for adults with 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 longer-acting drug used once per day to lessen the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD are also treated successfully with antidepressants such as desipramine. This class of drugs can be used by itself or in combination with stimulants to boost their effects. They may also increase the danger of serious side consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like alprazolam as well as clonidine are used for the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs were initially developed to treat hypertension. They are calming and may improve focus and reduce the amount of hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is reduced.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy helps them overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment against coworkers, supervisors, teachers, and family members that may criticize or nag them. Family and marriage counseling is a great method to help couples with ADHD to better understand each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can help individuals with ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the feeling of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy assists people to change negative thoughts and emotions that cause difficulties in their lives. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term and goal-oriented therapy has been proven effective in treating many disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments.
CBT can include group therapy, which is especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD, as it provides the chance to connect with others with similar challenges and to learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or via phone. One study compared the effects of CBT in comparison to traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and discovered that both treatments resulted in improvement in self-report assessments of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
Numerous studies have evaluated CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD, and all show significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect size. These improvements were associated with various modalities that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving training and mindfulness meditation.
It is crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of different treatments for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that different outcomes of the treatments depend on a variety of factors such as treatment characteristics, measures used as well as the backgrounds of the patients. A few studies have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while performing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas in the brain where there is too much or little activity. Then, instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help address these problems, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include the use of interpersonal therapy to improve the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to transform negative behaviors and help manage impulsive and self-destructive behaviors that can cause problems at school or at work.
In some cases, psychotherapy can be used in conjunction with medications for adults adhd treatment. People with co-occurring disorders like depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder need to be assessed to ensure their symptoms aren't aggravated through the use of medications to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history or seizures, should be treated with more vigor.
In-depth outpatient programs could be suggested if the individual's ADHD is so severe that it hinders their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide structured treatment that is more intense than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of cognitive therapy, helps adults suffering from ADHD to improve their ability to manage time planning, impulse control and executive functioning. It helps them recognize and express their feelings. It utilizes worksheets and activities to make the lessons more engaging. The training in mindfulness meditation enhances CBT and improves the ability of a person to focus and regulate emotions. It increases the capacity of a person to tolerate anxiety and stress. It can help them cope with sadness, anger and other difficult feelings that could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. In addition to affecting their work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and may result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help increase self-esteem, address underlying problems and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults with ADHD, as it helps them change their negative attitudes and behavior. It focuses on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions that can cause negative moods, and the perception of a limited number of choices.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or increase the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended to first treat the most severe comorbidity and then observe its response to the medication prior to treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you learn ways to organize your life and work, set up routines that are predictable, manage money and time and develop a positive self-image. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that may reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can help you improve focus by stabilizing your body in various poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can address the issues people with ADHD frequently cause their children, spouses, and other family members. They often complain about being undependable and unorganized. They often forget things or make impulsive decisions. Therapy and classes where spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you build healthier relationships. Additionally, it can help you and your loved ones realize that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD rather than an absence of care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety and addiction disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. There are adhd treatment adults of medications available for adults with ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and drawbacks of the medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD may have the same symptoms as children do, but it can be difficult to identify because childhood symptoms might not persist in adulthood. Adults who suffer from ADHD may not have any family history of the disorder, or may not remember symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to determine if the symptoms are caused by a medical condition such as thyroid issues or sleep apnea. adhd treatment in adults could also be due to issues with vision and hearing or lead poisoning.
Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medications to treat adults suffering from ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are within the 70-80 percentage range. The most commonly used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate can also be administered via a transdermal device. This allows for continuous medication delivery during the day.
Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, the most studied tricyclic, has been proven to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL is another antidepressant that has been shown to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake in the presynaptic cellular transporter and increasing its presence in the brain. The drug is known to boost mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity but it's not as effective in improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.