ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the general population. It is associated by high rates of comorbidity. This includes depression, anxiety and addiction to drugs, and significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning when they take medication. It is important that people who suffer from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that works for them.
Stimulants, including amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid forms and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Adults may supplement an immediate-release medicine with an extended-release, long-acting medicine every week to decrease the requirement to take it regularly throughout the day.
Desipramine and other antidepressants have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of drugs can be used alone or in combination with stimulants to boost 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 with alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, have an calming effect and are able to increase focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity in certain adults. These medications can lead to very low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is decreased.
Psychotherapy is also useful for adults with ADHD. Individual talk therapy can help them cope with feelings of shame and embarrassment about their ADHD and anger toward supervisors, colleagues, teachers and family members who may nag or criticize them. Family and marriage counseling can be a great option to help couples with ADHD better understand each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by teaching strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also assist people who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and sense 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 are causing difficulties in their lives. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term and goal-oriented therapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of conditions, including anxiety and depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or on its own.
CBT can include group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for those suffering from ADHD as it allows them to meet others who face similar challenges and discover how they deal with their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to the standard treatment for adults who have ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report measures such as symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies have shown significant reductions in ADHD symptoms and effects, with sizes ranging from medium to large. These improvements were attributed to various modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy and social skills training. problem solving training, and mindfulness mediation.
It is crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of different 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 as well as the backgrounds of the patients. Few studies have examined the effectiveness neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing a hat with electrodes while doing cognitive tasks to determine brain regions where there is a lack or excess of activity. The person is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which could be contributing to the ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy techniques that can help improve a person’s ability to manage conflicts and create lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to change negative behavior and help manage impulsive and self-destructive behaviors that can lead to problems at school or at work.
In certain situations psychotherapy may be utilized in conjunction with medication for adults with adhd treatment. Patients suffering from multiple disorders like depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder must be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms are not worsened by the medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, need to be treated more aggressively.
If ADHD is severe enough to interfere with the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs could be suggested. These programs provide more thorough and structured treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of cognitive therapy, aids adults suffering from ADHD to improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as planning and executive functioning. It helps them recognize and express their emotions and utilizes worksheets and activities to make the learning more interesting. The training in mindfulness meditation enhances CBT and improves the ability of a person to focus and manage emotions. It also improves a person's capacity to manage anxiety and stress. It helps them deal with anger, sadness, and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
adhd treatment for young adults with ADHD experience difficulties at work and at home. These symptoms can also affect relationships and lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you to improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It can also assist you in developing healthy coping methods.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and teaches them how to change their negative thoughts and behavior. It concentrates on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions which contribute to negative moods, and the perception of limited choices.
Many adults with ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or decrease the effectiveness of certain drugs used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended to first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then observe its response to the medication before treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can teach you how to manage your life and work, establish predictable routines, manage time and money and build confidence in yourself. It can also help you learn ways to relax that could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Similarly yoga and other forms of exercise can help you focus better by stabilizing your body in different poses.
Marriage and family counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to resolve the issues they cause their children, spouses and others. They often complain about 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 better relationships. Additionally, it can help you and your loved ones to understand that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD rather than a lack of caring or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that is very frequent. It is often associated with co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medication interventions. A wide range of medications are available for adults suffering from ADHD, and some of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and the limitations of the drugs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD may have the same symptoms as children do, but it is difficult to determine because childhood symptoms might not persist in adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder in their families or they may not remember experiencing symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to help determine whether the symptoms are due to a medical condition such as thyroid issues or sleep apnea. It could also be due to issues with vision and hearing or lead poisoning.
Treatments for adults suffering from ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. The stimulants have the highest response rates for adults suffering from ADHD. Their responsiveness rates range from 70% to 80percent. The most popular stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate can also be found in a transdermal system, that allows for continuous supply of medication throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can take non-stimulant drugs that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, the most studied tricyclic, has shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low-dose medication that is recommended to be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is noticed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant that has been proven to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and works by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic transportation system, thus increasing its availability in the brain. The drug is known to improve the mood of adults and decrease hyperactivity, however it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.