ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent neurological disorder that affects 44 percent of the population. It is associated by high rates of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression and addiction to drugs, and significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most commonly prescribed drugs.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD have significant improvements in their symptoms and performance as a result of medication. Due to the many different ways that people respond to medication, it is crucial for people with ADHD to determine a mix that is effective.
Stimulants, like methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most commonly prescribed drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form, and can be taken as often as every three to four hours. Some adults supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or longer-acting drug used once per day to decrease the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
internet site as desipramine have also been found to be effective in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of drugs may be employed in conjunction with stimulants or alone to enhance their effects. However, they could increase the risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects like a rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like alprazolam and clonidine can also be used for the treatment of adults with ADHD. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, have a calming effect and can enhance focus and decrease the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among certain adults. However, these drugs can result in a drop in blood pressure when they are abruptly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual talk therapy helps people deal with feelings of shame, embarrassment and resentment toward coworkers, supervisors, teachers and family members who might criticize or nag them. Additionally, marriage and family counseling can help couples suffering from ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by teaching strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can help individuals who suffer from ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the sense of failure they often feel.
Recommended Looking at (CBT), also known as cognitive behavioral therapy assists people to change negative thoughts and emotions that cause problems in their life. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has been found to be effective in treating a variety of conditions such as anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies or alone.
CBT may include group therapy, which can be especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD because it gives the opportunity to interact with other people with similar challenges and to learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or via the phone. One study compared the effects of CBT with that of traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvement in self-report assessments of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments in adults with ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes that range from moderate to large. These improvements were associated with diverse modalities like cognitive and interpersonal therapy as well as social skills training, problem solving training, and mindfulness mediation.
It is essential to assess the effectiveness of different treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. It is possible that the differences in the results of treatment are due to a range of factors, including treatment characteristics and the measures employed. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, an approach that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while performing cognitive tasks to determine areas in the brain that there is too much or little activity, and instructing the person to manage these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which may be contributing to the ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include interpersonal therapy to enhance a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to change negative behavior and assist in managing impulsive and self-destructive behaviors that can lead to problems at work or school.
In some instances psychotherapy may be utilized as an adjunct to medications for adult adhd treatment for adults. Patients suffering from comorbid disorders such as substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder need to be assessed to ensure their symptoms are not worsened by medications used to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and seizures in the past, have to be treated more aggressively as they are more at risk for complications from the medication.
Outpatient intensive programs may be suggested if the individual's ADHD is so severe that it affects their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer more thorough and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD enhance their ability to manage time management, impulse control, executive function, and planning. It helps them identify and express their feelings. It utilizes worksheets and activities to make the lessons more engaging. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT, and it improves the ability of a person to concentrate and regulate their emotions. It improves the ability of a person to tolerate the effects of stress and arousal. It can help them cope with sadness, anger and other emotional issues which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD experience difficulties at work and at home. In addition to impacting work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and can cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you to improve your self-esteem and address the root of the issue. It can also help you develop healthy coping methods.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults with ADHD and teaches them how to change their negative beliefs and behaviors. It focuses on teaching you to utilize strategies for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and the perception of a limited range of choices.
Many adults with ADHD also suffer from depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric conditions can cause or decrease the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe comorbidity first and monitor the effect of medication before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life by establishing predictable routines to manage your time and money and build an optimistic image of yourself. It can help you learn ways to relax that could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other workouts can help you concentration by stabilizing your body in various postures.
Marriage and family counseling can address the problems that adults with ADHD frequently cause their children, spouses, and other family members. They often complain of being unreliable and disorganized. They also tend to forget things or make impulsive choices. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you build better relationships. It can help you and your family members understand that the issues are due to ADHD, rather than a lack in caring or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is extremely frequent. It is often accompanied by co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. A variety of medications are available for adults suffering from ADHD, and some of them have been tested in clinical trials. Recommended Web site have exposed the strengths and drawbacks of the various medications.
Adults with ADHD have the same symptoms as children, however it isn't always easy to recognize them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist into adulthood. Adults with ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder or may not be aware of symptoms. It is essential to take a thorough medical history in order to determine whether the symptoms are caused by an illness like thyroid issues, sleep apnea or hearing and vision problems.
Treatments for adults suffering from ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medications to treat adults suffering from ADHD and their response rates are in the 70 - 80 percent range. The most frequently used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also accessible in a transdermal system that allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that work on dopamine and norepinephrine. 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 which should be increased each seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is noticed.
Bupropion XL is a second antidepressant that has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that is able to block the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transportation system, thus increasing its availability in the brain. This drug has been found to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults, but it isn't as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving concentration or cognitive function.