ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the general population. It is associated with high rates of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, as well as significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Medications and psychotherapy are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed drugs.
Medicines
Many people with ADHD have significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning due to medication. Due to the many different ways that people react to medications, it is important for individuals with ADHD to discover a combination that works best.
Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate 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 often as every three to four hours. Some adults supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medication used once per day to decrease the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been found to be effective in treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of medications can be used on its own or in conjunction with stimulants to boost their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious adverse effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These drugs were initially developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and can improve focus, and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in certain adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is reduced.
Adults with ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy helps people to overcome feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment towards co-workers and supervisors, teachers and family members who might nitpick or criticize them. Counseling for families and marriage can be a great option to help couples suffering from ADHD better understand each other and improve communication.
untreated adhd in adults depression of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is to teach strategies and skills that help improve performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help people who suffer from ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the feeling of inadequacy they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that cause difficulties in their lives and to develop new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as acting. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has been found to be effective for many conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies or on its own.
CBT may include group therapy, which can be particularly helpful for adults with ADHD because it gives the opportunity to interact with other people who are facing similar issues and discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or over the phone. One study examined the effects of CBT against traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and discovered that both treatments resulted in improvements in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
CBT has been studied in comparison to other psychosocial treatments in adults with ADHD. All of these studies demonstrate significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes between medium and large. These improvements were linked to various modalities that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving training and mindfulness meditation.
It is essential to assess the effectiveness of different treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that differences in outcome results depend on a variety of factors such as treatment characteristics, measures used and the background of the patient. A few studies have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback, an approach that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to identify areas of the brain where there is too much or too little activity. Then, teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these problems, which may 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 seeks to alter negative behaviors and help manage impulsive and self-destructive behaviors that can lead to problems at work or school.
In some instances psychotherapy can be used as an alternative to medication for adult adhd treatment for adults. Patients with comorbid disorders like bipolar disorder and substance abuse must be assessed carefully to ensure that they do not have symptoms that cannot be improved by the medication used to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and seizures in the past, must be treated more aggressively because they are more at risk of complications from medications.
If ADHD is severe enough to interfere with daily functioning and quality-of-life intensive outpatient programs might be recommended. These programs provide structured therapy that is more intense than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of cognitive therapy, aids adults suffering from ADHD to improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as planning and executive function. It helps them recognize and express feelings and utilizes exercises and worksheets to make the lessons engaging. Meditation training that is mindful enhances CBT, and it improves the ability of people to concentrate and manage their emotions. It improves the ability of a person to tolerate stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger, and other emotions that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. These issues can also impact relationships and cause financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you increase self-esteem, address the root causes of your issues and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps you change your negative thoughts and behaviors. It concentrates on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods, and the perception that there are only a few choices.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or exacerbate the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and then monitor the response to treatment before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your life and work by establishing predictable routines that help you control your time and money, and develop a positive image of yourself. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that could decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your concentration by ensuring your body is stable in different poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can address the problems that people with ADHD frequently cause their children, spouses, and other family members. They often complain of being erratic and unorganized. They often forget things or make decisions impulsively. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you develop healthier relationships. Furthermore, it can help you and your loved ones understand that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD rather than to the lack of compassion or a willful refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly common neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medication interventions. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD and a few of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and drawbacks of the medications.
Adults who suffer from ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children do, but it is difficult to identify because childhood symptoms might not persist in adulthood. Adults with ADHD may also not have any family history of the disorder or may not remember symptoms. It is crucial to take a thorough medical history to determine whether the symptoms are caused by an illness, such as thyroid problems such as sleep apnea, sleep apnea and vision issues.
Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medication to treat adults suffering from ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80% range. The most popular stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate can also be found as a transdermal solution, which allows for a continuous supply of medication throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic and has been shown to be effective in adult patients with ADHD. It is a low dose medication which should be increased each seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is another antidepressant which has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic cellular transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. This drug has been proven to improve mood in adults and decrease hyperactivity, however, it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.