ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurological disorder that affects 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity (depression, anxiety, substance abuse) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed drugs.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD have seen significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning in response to medications. Because of the different ways people respond to medications it is crucial for people with ADHD to determine a mix that is most effective.
Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants such as amphetamines or methylphenidate. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Adults may supplement an immediate-release medication with an extended-release long-acting medicine at least every week to lessen the need to take it often throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated successfully with antidepressants like desipramine. This class of drugs can be used alone or in conjunction with stimulants to boost their effects. However, they may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects such as a rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming affect and can help improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in certain adults. These medications can lead to extremely low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is reduced.
Psychotherapy is also useful for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help those with ADHD to overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment against coworkers, teachers, supervisors and family members who 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 communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can also help people who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and sense 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 feelings that cause problems in their lives. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has been found to be effective for many conditions including anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies or by itself.
CBT could include group therapy, which can be particularly beneficial for people with ADHD as it offers the opportunity to meet others who are facing similar issues and learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or via the phone. One study compared the results of CBT against traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvements in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms and quality of life.
Numerous studies have evaluated CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD and have all shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect size. These improvements were associated with various modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy, social skills training, problem solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is advised in comparing the efficacy of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is likely that the differences in outcome results depend on a variety of factors, including the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used, and patient backgrounds. A few studies have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to identify areas in the brain that there is too much or too little activity - and then teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues which may be causing ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy methods that can aid in improving a person’s ability to resolve conflicts and build lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to change negative behavior and assist in reducing self-destructive and impulsive behavior which can lead to issues at school or work.
In some instances psychotherapy may be used as an alternative to the medication used for ADHD treatment for adults. Patients suffering from co-occurring disorders like depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder need to be assessed to ensure their symptoms aren't aggravated by medications used to treat ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, must be treated more aggressively because they are at a higher risk of complications from medications.
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 more intensive and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD enhance their ability to manage their time, impulse control, planning, and executive function. It helps them recognize and express feelings, and it uses activities and worksheets to make the lessons interesting. The practice of mindfulness meditation improves CBT and improves the ability of a person to focus and regulate emotions. It increases the capacity of a person's ability to handle stress and arousal. It helps them deal with anger, sadness and other emotional issues that could be causing their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. These symptoms can also affect relationships and cause financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues will allow you improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It can also help you develop healthy coping methods.
Cognitive-behavioral Therapy is a great treatment for adults with ADHD because it teaches you how to change your negative beliefs and behavior. It focuses on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that can cause negative moods, and the perception of limited options.
Many people suffering from ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or exacerbate the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and monitor the response to treatment before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your life and work and establish routines that are predictable that help you manage your money and time, and develop a positive image of yourself. It can help you master techniques for relaxation that can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other workouts can help you improve focus by stabilizing your body during various postures.
Family and marriage counseling can help adults with ADHD to solve the problems they cause their spouses, kids and friends. They often complain about being unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and prone to making impulsive decisions. You can strengthen relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. It can also help you and your family members realize that the problem is caused by ADHD and not the lack of care or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is very prevalent. It is often accompanied by co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. A wide range of medications are available for adults with ADHD, and some of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and the limitations of the medications.
Adults with ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, however it isn't always easy to recognize them since childhood symptoms may not persist until adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder in their family or they may not even remember having symptoms. adhd in adults symptoms and treatment is necessary to help determine whether the symptoms are due to an illness such as thyroid issues or sleep apnea, vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80% range. The most popular stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate can also be administered through a transdermal system. This allows for continuous medication delivery during the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine is one of the most studied tricyclic, and has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose drug and should be increased by 50 mg every seven days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transportationer and increasing its presence in the brain. The drug is known to improve the mood of adults and reduce hyperactivity but it's not as effective at improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.