ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4% of the general population. It is associated by high rates of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression and addiction to drugs, and significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most commonly prescribed medications.
Medications
Many adults suffering from ADHD have significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning due to medications. It is crucial that people with ADHD discover the right combination of medications that works for them.
Stimulants, including amphetamines and methylphenidate, are the most frequently prescribed drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form and can be taken as often as every three to four hours. Some adults may supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medicine that is taken daily to reduce the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been proven to be effective in treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of medications can be used by itself or in conjunction with stimulants to increase their effects. They can also increase the risk of serious side effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, have the ability to calm and improve focus and decrease the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among certain adults. However, these medications can cause a drop in blood pressure when they are suddenly removed or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help those with ADHD to overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment and resentment against coworkers, teachers, supervisors, and family members that may criticize or nag them. Additionally, marriage and family counseling can help couples with ADHD be able to recognize each other's challenges and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD aims to improve daily functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also assist people who suffer from ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and feeling of failure that is often associated with this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy helps people change their negative thoughts and emotions that cause difficulties in their lives. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has been found to be effective for a variety of illnesses, including depression and anxiety. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or by itself.
CBT can involve group therapy, which is particularly helpful for adults with ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to interact with other people who have similar struggles and to learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or via phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults with ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures such as symptoms, functioning, 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 sizes. These improvements were linked to a variety of modalities that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving exercises and mindfulness meditation.
It is crucial to evaluate the efficacy between different treatments for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that the differences in the results of treatment are due to a variety of factors, including the treatment characteristics and the measures used. A few studies have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while performing cognitive tasks to determine areas of the brain where there is too much or little activity, and instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD also have anxiety or mood disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help with these issues, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy methods that can help improve the ability of a person to resolve conflicts and build meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage self-destructive, impulsive, and negative behaviors that could cause problems at work or school.
In some cases psychotherapy may be utilized as an adjunct to medications for adult adhd in adults treatment. Patients with co-occurring disorders like addiction to substances, depression and bipolar disorder should be assessed to ensure their symptoms are not worsened by medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history or seizures, should be treated more aggressively.
If ADHD is severe enough to interfere with the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs could be recommended. These programs offer more intensive and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a type of cognitive therapy, helps people with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time planning, impulse control and executive function. It helps them identify and express their emotions and uses worksheets and activities to make the learning more enjoyable. adhd in adults symptoms and treatment improves CBT, and it improves the ability of people to concentrate and control their emotions. It also improves a person's ability to handle anxiety and stress. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD experience difficulties at work and at home. In addition to impacting work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and can lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you to improve your self-esteem and address the root of the issue. It can also assist you in developing healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults with ADHD, as it helps them change their negative attitudes and behavior. It is focused on teaching you how to employ strategies for managing time and overcoming mental distortions that lead to negative moods and the perception of a limited range of choices.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have comorbid anxiety or depression. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or diminish the effectiveness of certain drugs used to treat ADHD. It is therefore recommended that you 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 organize your life and work and establish routines that are predictable that help you manage your time and money and create a positive image of yourself. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that can decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can also help you improve focus by stabilizing your body during various postures.
Marriage and family counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to solve the problems they cause their spouses, kids and other family members. They often complain of being unreliable and disorganized. They also tend to forget things or make decisions impulsively. You can strengthen your relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. It can also help you and your family members realize that the problems are due to ADHD and not the lack of care or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is extremely common. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatments. A variety of medications are available for adults with ADHD, and some of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and weaknesses of the medications.
Adults who suffer from ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, however it can be difficult to identify them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist into adulthood. Adults with ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder or may not be aware of symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to determine if the symptoms are caused by an illness such as thyroid issues or sleep apnea, vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
adhd in adults untreated for adults suffering from ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and other non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medication to treat adults suffering from ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are within the 70-80 percent range. adhd in adults untreated and methylphenidate are among the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also accessible in a transdermal system, which allows for a continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants that work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been proven 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, another antidepressant, has been shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that is able to block the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its availability in the brain. This drug has been proven to improve the mood of adults and decrease hyperactivity, however, it's not as effective in improving concentration or cognitive function as stimulants.