ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurological disorder that affects 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, alcohol abuse) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Both medication and psychotherapy are effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD experience significant improvements in symptoms and functioning due to medications. Due to the various ways that people respond to medication, it is essential for those with ADHD to find a combination that is effective.
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most commonly prescribed drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid forms and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Some adults can supplement their immediate-release dose with an extended-release or longer-acting drug that is taken daily to lessen the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can be treated successfully with antidepressants such as desipramine. This class of drugs can be used on its own or in conjunction with stimulants to enhance their effects. They may 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, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These drugs, initially developed to treat high blood pressure, have the ability to calm and enhance focus and decrease the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in certain adults. These medications can cause extremely low blood pressure if they are suddenly stopped, or the dosage is reduced.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual talk therapy helps them overcome feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment toward coworkers, teachers, supervisors and family members who might nitpick or criticize them. Counseling for families and marriage is also a great way to help couples suffering from ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can help individuals who suffer from ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems 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 discover new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as acting. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has proven to be effective in treating a variety of conditions including anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies or on its own.
CBT may involve group therapy, which is especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD because it gives the opportunity to interact with other people with similar challenges and to discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to the standard treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting indicators like symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared to other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes ranging from medium to large. These improvements were attributed to diverse modalities like cognitive and interpersonal therapy, social skills training, problem solving training, as well as mindfulness meditation.
It is important to compare the efficacy between different treatments for adult ADHD with caution. It is possible that the differences in outcomes results are due to a range of factors, including treatment characteristics and the measures employed. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while doing cognitive tasks to identify brain areas where there is excessive or inadequate activity. The individual is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD also 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 aims to transform negative behaviors and assist in reducing impulsive and self-destructive behaviors which can lead to issues at school or work.
In some cases psychotherapy is sometimes used in combination with medication for adults with adhd treatment. People with co-occurring disorders like substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder need to be assessed to ensure their symptoms are not worsened through the use of medications to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history or seizures, must be treated with more vigor.
If ADHD is severe enough to interfere with the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs could be suggested. These programs provide structured treatment that is more intensive than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD enhance their ability to manage their time, impulse control, organizing, and executive function. It helps them understand and express feelings and uses activities and worksheets to make the learning interesting. Mindfulness meditation training 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 helps them deal with sadness, anger, and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and may result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help improve your self-esteem, resolve the root causes of your issues and develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps you change your negative beliefs and behaviors. It is focused on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods, and the perception of limited choices.
Many adults 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. It is recommended that you first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then monitor the response to the medication prior to treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you learn how to manage your life and your work, set up regular routines, manage your money and time and develop an optimistic self-image. It will also help you learn relaxation techniques that may reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. In the same way yoga and other forms of exercise can aid in improving your focus by ensuring your body is stable in different postures.
Family and marriage counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to resolve the issues they create for their children, spouses and friends. They frequently complain of being unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and often prone to making impulsive choices. You can build stronger relationships by educating your spouses and family members about ADHD. Additionally it can help you and your loved ones understand that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD rather than to an absence of care or a willful refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that is highly common. adhd in adults treatment is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatment options. There are many medication options for adults suffering from ADHD. Some of these medications have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the advantages and drawbacks of the medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD have the same symptoms as children, but it can be difficult to identify them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist until adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder, or might not remember the symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to help determine whether the symptoms are due to medical conditions like thyroid problems, sleep apnea, hearing and vision problems or lead poisoning.
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 percentage range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be found in a transdermal system which allows for a continuous supply of medication throughout 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 shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medicine and should be increased by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL is a second antidepressant which 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. treatment for add adhd in adults has been proven to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity, but it's not as effective in improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.