ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurological disorder that affects 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression and addiction to drugs, and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Medications and psychotherapy are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvements in symptoms and functioning due to medications. It is important that people with ADHD discover the right combination of medications that works for them.
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most frequently prescribed medications for adults with 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 medicine that is taken daily to lessen the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of drugs can be used on its own or in combination with stimulants to increase their effects. They can also increase the risk of serious side consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam or clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They are calming and can improve focus, and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in certain adults. These medications can result in extremely low blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is decreased.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help people deal with feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment towards co-workers and teachers, supervisors, and family members that may criticize or nag 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 with ADHD aims to improve daily functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also assist people who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and feeling of failure that is often associated with this condition.
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 type of psychotherapy has proven to be effective for many illnesses, including depression and anxiety. It can be used by itself or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT can involve group therapy, which can be especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to interact with other people who are facing similar issues and learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or over the phone. One study compared the results of CBT against 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.
Several studies have compared 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 sizes. These improvements were attributed to a variety modalities including interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy as well as social skills training, problem solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
It is essential to assess the efficacy between different treatments for adult ADHD with caution. It is likely that the differences in outcomes results are due to a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics and the measures employed. There are few studies that have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This method involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while doing cognitive tasks to identify brain areas where there is excessive or inadequate activity. The person then learns to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help to address these issues, which could be contributing to the ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to enhance a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to transform negative behaviors and help manage impulsive and self-destructive behaviors which can lead to issues at work or school.
In certain situations, psychotherapy can be used in conjunction with medications for adults who are seeking treatment for adhd. learn more with comorbid conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs 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. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, should be treated with more vigor.
When ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with daily functioning and quality-of-life, intensive outpatient programs may be suggested. These programs offer a more intensive and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD improve their ability to manage time management and impulse control, as well as organizing, and executive function. It helps them identify and express their emotions and employs worksheets and exercises to make the lessons more enjoyable. Mindfulness meditation training improves CBT, and it improves a person's ability to focus and regulate their emotions. It also enhances an individual's capacity to manage stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that may be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. In addition to impacting work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and can result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help boost your self-esteem, solve underlying problems and establish healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD, as it teaches them how to change their negative thoughts and behaviors. In particular, it is focused on teaching you how to utilize strategies for managing time and overcoming mental distortions that lead to negative moods and the perception of limited choices.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or diminish the effectiveness of certain treatments for ADHD. Therefore it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and monitor its response to medication prior to attempting treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your life and work, establish predictable routines to manage your money and time and create a positive image of yourself. It can help you master relaxation methods that may reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. In the same way, yoga and other exercise can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing the body in various poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can assist adults suffering from ADHD to solve the problems they create for their spouses, kids and other family members. They frequently complain of being undependable and unorganized. They often forget things or make impulsive decisions. Therapy and classes where spouses and other family members are educated on ADHD can help you develop better relationships. Moreover it can help you and your loved ones to understand that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD rather than to the lack of compassion or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly frequent neurobiological disorder. It is often accompanied by co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication treatments are available as treatment options. There are a variety of medications available to adults suffering from ADHD and some of them have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the advantages and drawbacks of the drugs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, but it isn't always easy to recognize them since childhood symptoms may not persist into adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder or might not remember the symptoms. A thorough medical history is important to determine if the symptoms are due to medical conditions like thyroid problems or sleep apnea, vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants have the highest response rates for adults with ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness vary from 70 to 80%. The most frequently used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate can also be found as a transdermal solution, which permits continuous supply of medication throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic drug and has been proven to be effective in adult patients suffering from 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 a second antidepressant which has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake at the presynaptic transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. This drug has been found to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults. However, it isn't as effective as stimulants in improving cognitive performance or concentration.