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. This includes anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, and significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Both medication and psychotherapy are effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed drugs.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD report significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning in response to medications. Because of the different ways that people respond to medication, it is essential for those with ADHD to discover a combination that is effective.
Stimulants, including methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. These stimulants are available as tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. Adults can supplement their immediate-release medication with an extended-release long-acting medication every week to decrease the need to take it frequently throughout the day.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of drugs can be used on its own or in conjunction with stimulants to increase their effects. They can also increase the danger of serious side effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam or clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They are calming and can improve focus, and reduce the amount of hyperactivity and impulsivity in certain adults. These medications can result in very low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is reduced.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help them cope with their feelings of shame and embarrassment over their ADHD, as well as resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, and family members who may nag or criticize them. Family and marriage counseling is a great method to help couples suffering from ADHD to better understand each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD aims to improve daily functioning by teaching strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also assist people who suffer from ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and feelings of failure that often accompanies this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavioral therapy assists people to change negative thoughts and feelings that cause problems in their life. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and behave. adhd in adults untreated -term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for many illnesses such as anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies or alone.
CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for adults with ADHD as it allows them to connect with others who face similar challenges and discover how they deal with their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or via the phone. One study compared the effects of CBT in comparison to traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvement in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms and quality of life.
CBT has been compared to other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes ranging from medium to large. These improvements were linked to diverse approaches such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving exercises, and mindfulness meditation.
It is crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatments for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that different outcomes of the treatments are due to a variety of variables, including the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used and the background of the patient. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while performing cognitive tasks to determine areas of the brain where there is too much or too little activity, and instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help to address these issues, which could be contributing to the ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include interpersonal therapy to improve the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control self-destructive, impulsive, and negative behavior that can cause problems at work or school.
In some instances psychotherapy can be utilized as an adjunct to the medication used for adhd in adults treatment. People who have comorbid conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse need to be evaluated carefully to ensure that they do not suffer from symptoms that aren't improved by the medication used to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, need to be treated more aggressively as they are at higher risk of complications from medication.
Intensive outpatient programs might be recommended when the person's ADHD is so severe that it significantly interferes with their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer more thorough and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a type of cognitive therapy, aids adults suffering from ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive functioning. It teaches them to recognize and express their emotions and uses activities and worksheets to make the learning interesting. The training in mindfulness meditation enhances CBT and improves the ability of a person to focus and manage emotions. It also enhances an individual's ability to tolerate stress and arousal. It helps them deal with anger, sadness and other emotional issues which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting their work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and could lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues will allow you improve your self-esteem and resolve underlying problems. It can also help you develop healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and helps them change their negative thoughts and behavior. It is focused on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions which can cause negative moods, and the perception of limited options.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have comorbid anxiety or depression. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or even increase the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended that you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and then monitor the effect of medication prior to beginning treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your life and work and establish routines that are predictable to manage your money and time and build confidence in yourself. It can help you learn relaxation methods that may reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Additionally yoga and other forms of exercise can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing the body in different postures.
Family and marriage counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to solve the problems they create for their spouses, kids and others. They frequently complain of being unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and often prone to making impulsive choices. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are educated on ADHD can help you establish healthier relationships. It can also help you and your family members to understand that the problems are caused by ADHD and not the lack of care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is often accompanied by comorbid conditions such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication treatments are available as treatments. There are a range of medications available for adults with ADHD. Some of these medications have been tested in trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and drawbacks of the drugs.
Adults with ADHD may experience the same symptoms as children do, but it can be difficult to diagnose because childhood symptoms might not persist in adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their families or may not be aware of having symptoms. It is important to have an extensive medical history to determine if the symptoms are caused by an illness such as thyroid problems or sleep apnea, and vision problems.
Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants have the highest response rates for adults with ADHD. Their responsiveness rates vary from 70 to 80percent. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also available as a transdermal solution, which permits continuous supply of medication throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine is the most studied tricyclic, and has been proven to be effective in adult patients suffering from ADHD. It is a low-dose medication that should be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is noticed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, has been shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake at the presynaptic transportationer, increasing its availability in brain. This drug is known to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity however, it's not as effective in improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.