ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent disorder of the nervous system that affects around 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, and alcohol abuse) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Both psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most commonly prescribed medications are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people who suffer from ADHD have seen significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning in response to medications. It is essential that those with ADHD find the combination of medications that works for them.
Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants such as amphetamines or methylphenidate. These stimulants are available as tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Adults can augment an immediate-release medicine with an extended-release long-acting medicine at least every week to lessen the need to take it regularly throughout the day.
Desipramine and other antidepressants have also been found to be effective in the treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of drugs can be used by itself or in conjunction with stimulants to enhance their effects. They can also increase the risk of serious adverse effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam or clonidine. They are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These drugs, initially developed to treat high blood pressure, can have an calming effect and are able to enhance focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulsivity in certain adults. These medications can lead to extremely low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is reduced.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual talk therapy helps them deal with feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment towards co-workers and supervisors, teachers, and family members that might nitpick or criticize them. Additionally counseling for families and marriages can help couples with ADHD be able to recognize each other's challenges and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can help people with ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the sense of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy, assists people to change negative thoughts and feelings that cause difficulties in their lives. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven effective in treating a variety of conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be utilized in conjunction with other treatments or on its own.
CBT can involve group therapy, which is particularly helpful for adults with ADHD as it offers 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 over the phone. One study examined the effects of CBT in comparison to traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvement in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
Numerous studies have evaluated CBT with other psychosocial treatments for people with ADHD, and all show significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were attributed to various modalities such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is warranted in comparing the efficacy of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is likely that differences in the results of treatment are due to a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics and measures used. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while performing cognitive tasks to identify areas in the brain that there is too much or little activity, and teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can address these problems that may be contributing ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include the use of interpersonal therapy to improve a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to alter negative behaviors and assist in reducing self-destructive and impulsive behavior which can lead to issues at school or work.
In some cases psychotherapy can be used as an adjunct to the medication used for adhd in adults treatment. People with multiple disorders like addiction to substances, depression and bipolar disorder must be assessed to ensure their symptoms aren't aggravated through the use of medications to treat ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and seizures in the past, must be treated with more vigor because they are more at risk of complications from medication.
Intensive outpatient programs might be suggested if the individual's ADHD is such that it interferes with their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer an organized treatment that is more intensive than traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of cognitive therapy, helps adults with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as planning and executive functioning. It helps them understand and express their feelings. It employs worksheets and exercises to make the lessons more interesting. Mindfulness meditation training improves CBT and enhances the ability of people to concentrate and control their emotions. It also improves a person's ability to handle anxiety and stress. It can assist them in dealing with anger, sadness, and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
adult adhd diagnostic assessment and treatment with ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. These issues can also impact relationships and lead to financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you increase self-esteem, address the root of your issue and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment is an effective treatment for adults with ADHD and helps them to alter their negative beliefs and behaviors. It focuses on teaching you to employ time management strategies and overcome thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and perceptions of limited choices.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from anxiety or depression. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or decrease the effectiveness of some treatments for ADHD. Therefore it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and monitor the effect of medication prior to beginning treatment for the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you learn methods to organize your life and your work, set up regular routines, manage your time and money and build a positive self-image. It can also help you learn relaxation methods that may reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can also aid in improving your concentration by stabilizing your body during various postures.
Family and marriage counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to resolve the issues they create for their spouses, kids and others. They frequently complain of being unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. You can build stronger relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. Additionally, it can aid you and your loved ones understand that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD instead of an absence of care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly frequent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. There are many treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been tested in trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and limitations of the various medications.
Adults who suffer from ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, however it can be difficult to recognize them since childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their families or they may not even remember experiencing symptoms. It is crucial to take an extensive medical history to determine if the symptoms are due to a medical condition, like thyroid issues or sleep apnea, and vision issues.
Treatments for adults suffering from 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 within the 70-80 percentage range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal device. This permits continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.
Adults with ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, the most studied tricyclic, has been shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication and should be increased by 50 mg every seven days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a second antidepressant that has been proven to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and is able to block the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic transportation system, thus 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 in improving concentration or cognitive function as stimulants.