ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the general population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, alcohol abuse) 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 like methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults suffering from ADHD have significant improvements in symptoms and functioning due to medication. It is essential that those who suffer from ADHD find the combination of medication that works for them.
Stimulants, including amphetamines and methylphenidate, are the most commonly prescribed medications for adults with ADHD. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form, and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Some adults may supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medicine used once per day to lessen the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Antidepressants such as desipramine have also been found to be effective in the treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of drugs can be used in conjunction with stimulants, or alone to enhance their effects. They may also increase the danger of serious side effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam or clonidine. They are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, can have a calming effect and can improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. These medications can result in extremely low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is decreased.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help them overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment and resentment against coworkers, teachers, supervisors, and family members that may criticize or nag them. Marriage and family counseling can be a great option to help couples with ADHD to better understand each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD aims to improve daily functioning by teaching strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also help people who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and sense of failure that is often associated with this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy assists people in changing their negative thoughts and feelings that cause problems in their life. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has proven to be effective for a variety of conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is especially beneficial for adults with ADHD because it allows them to connect with others who face similar challenges and discover how they deal with their ADHD symptoms. It can be offered in person or by phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults who have ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures like symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD. All of these studies demonstrate significant reductions in ADHD symptoms and effects, with sizes that range from moderate to large. These improvements were linked to a variety of modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is required in comparing the efficacy of different therapies for adult ADHD. It is possible that the different outcomes of the treatments depend on a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics, measures employed, and patient backgrounds. Few studies have examined the effectiveness neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing a hat with electrodes while performing cognitive tasks in order to determine brain regions where there is excessive or insufficient activity. The person then learns to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which may be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy techniques that can aid in improving the ability of a person to resolve conflicts and develop meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to change negative behavior and assist in managing self-destructive and impulsive behaviors that can lead to problems at work or school.
In certain cases, psychotherapy is used as an alternative to medications for adult adhd in adults treatment . Patients with co-occurring disorders like addiction to substances, depression and bipolar disorder need to be assessed to ensure that their symptoms aren't made worse through the use of medications to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, need to be treated with more vigor because they are at higher risk of complications from medications.
When ADHD is serious enough to affect the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs might be suggested. These programs offer an organized therapy that is more intense than traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD enhance their ability to manage their time, impulse control, executive function, and planning. It helps them understand and express feelings, and it uses exercises and worksheets to make the lessons engaging. The training in mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and improves the ability of a person to concentrate and regulate emotions. It enhances the capacity of a person's ability to handle stress and arousal. It can help them deal with anger, sadness and other emotional issues that may be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. In addition to affecting work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and could result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues will allow you to improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It can also help you develop healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD, as it teaches them how to change their negative thoughts and behaviors. It concentrates on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that can lead to negative moods and the perception of a limited number of possibilities.
Many adults with ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or increase 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 its response to medication before proceeding to treatment of the other condition.
Occupational therapy can teach you methods to organize your life and work, create predictable routines, manage time and money, and create confidence in yourself. It can also help you learn ways to relax that could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. In the same way yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing your body in different poses.
Family and marriage counseling can help adults with ADHD to solve the problems they cause their children, spouses and friends. They frequently complain of being unstable, unorganized, forgetful and prone to making impulsive decisions. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you establish more harmonious relationships. Moreover it can aid you and your loved ones understand that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD instead of an absence of care or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly common neurobiological disorder. It is often accompanied by other disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. There are a range of treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Some of these medications have been evaluated in studies. These studies have highlighted the strengths and limitations of the various medications.
Adults with ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, but it isn't always easy to identify them since childhood symptoms may not persist into adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder in their families or they may not remember having symptoms. It is crucial to take a thorough medical history to determine if the symptoms are due to an illness like thyroid issues such as sleep apnea, sleep apnea and vision problems.
Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and other non-stimulant medications. Stimulants have the highest reaction rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness vary between 70 and 80percent. The most commonly used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also available in a transdermal system which permits continuous supply of medication throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants that work on dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose drug and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL, another antidepressant, 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 in the presynaptic transportation system, thus increasing its presence 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 function as stimulants.