ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known disorder of the nervous system that affects 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of co-morbidity (depression, anxiety, addiction to drugs) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most commonly prescribed medications are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning in response to medications. It is crucial that people with ADHD discover the right combination of medications that is effective for them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants such as amphetamines or methylphenidate. 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 lessen the requirement to take it frequently throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can be treated effectively with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of medications can be used by itself or in combination with stimulants to boost their effects. However, they could increase the risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects like rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam and clonidine can also be used for the treatment of people suffering from ADHD. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, have a calming effect and can increase focus and reduce the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among certain adults. However, these drugs can cause a very low blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help those with ADHD deal with feelings of shame, embarrassment and resentment against coworkers, teachers, supervisors, and family members that might criticize or nag them. In addition counseling for families and marriages can help couples suffering from ADHD understand each other's problems and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD aims to improve daily functioning by teaching strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can help individuals with ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the feeling of failure they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavior therapy, assists people to change negative thoughts and emotions that are causing problems in their lives. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating many conditions, including anxiety and depression. It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
CBT can include group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for adults with ADHD because it enables them to connect with others who face similar challenges and learn about how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or over the phone. One study compared the results of CBT with that of traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvements in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms and quality of life.
CBT has been compared to other psychosocial treatments in adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes ranging from medium to large. These improvements were linked to a variety of modalities that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving and mindfulness meditation.
It is essential to assess the effectiveness of different treatments for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that differences in the results of treatment are due to a variety of factors, including the treatment characteristics and measures used. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing a hat with electrodes while doing cognitive tasks to determine brain regions where there is excessive or inadequate activity. The person then learns to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD also have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which could contribute to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy strategies include interpersonal therapy to improve a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to change negative behavior and assist in reducing impulsive and self-destructive behaviors that can lead to problems at school or at work.
In certain cases, psychotherapy is used as an alternative to medications for adult adhd treatment for adults . Patients suffering from co-occurring disorders like depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder should be assessed to ensure that their symptoms aren't made worse by the medications used to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and seizures in the past, have to be treated with more vigor because they are at a higher risk of developing complications from the medication.
In-depth outpatient programs could be recommended when the person's ADHD is such that it affects their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide more intensive and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a type of cognitive therapy, assists adults suffering from ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive function. It helps them identify and express their feelings. It employs worksheets and exercises to make the learning more interesting. adhd treatment adults that is mindful enhances CBT and improves the ability of a person to concentrate and manage their emotions. It also improves a person's ability to tolerate stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger and other difficult feelings that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and may cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help boost your self-esteem, solve the root of your issue and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches them how to change their negative thoughts and behaviours. Particularly, it is focused on teaching you how to utilize time management strategies and overcome thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and a perception of a limited selection.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from anxiety or depression. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or decrease the effectiveness of certain drugs used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbidity first and then monitor its response to medication prior to beginning treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life and establish routines that are predictable to control your time and money and create an optimistic image of yourself. It can also help you learn ways to relax that could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your focus by ensuring your body is stable in various postures.
Family and marriage counseling can address the problems that adults suffering from ADHD frequently cause their spouses, children and others. They often complain about being undependable and unorganized. They are also prone to forget things or make impulsive decisions. You can build stronger relationships by educating your spouses and family members about ADHD. Furthermore, it can aid you and your loved ones understand that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD instead of a lack of caring or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is very prevalent. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity. This includes depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders. The use of medication and psychosocial interventions is available as treatment options. There are a variety of medications available for adults suffering from ADHD and some of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the medications.
Adults with ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, however it can be difficult to recognize them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist throughout adulthood. Adults who suffer from ADHD might not have any family history of the disorder or might not remember the symptoms. It is important to have a thorough medical history to determine whether the symptoms are related to an illness like thyroid issues or sleep apnea, and vision issues.
Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants have the highest reaction rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their response rates vary from 70% to 80percent. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also accessible as a transdermal solution, which permits continuous drug delivery throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine is one of the most studied tricyclic and has been shown to be effective in adult patients suffering from ADHD. It is a medication with a low dose that should 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 receptor, thereby increasing its availability in the brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults, however it is not as effective as stimulants in improving concentration or cognitive function.