ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent condition of the nervous system that affects 44 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, as well as significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most commonly prescribed medications.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning as a result of medication. Because of the different ways people respond to medications it is crucial for people with ADHD to find a combination that is effective.
Stimulants, including methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most frequently prescribed drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. These stimulants are available as liquid or tablet form in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. Adults may supplement an immediate-release medicine with an extended release long-acting medication every week to lessen the need to take it often throughout the day.
Antidepressants such as desipramine have also been proven to be effective in treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of medications can be utilized in conjunction with stimulants, or on their own to boost their effects. They can also increase the danger of serious side consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam or clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These drugs were initially developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming affect and can improve focus, and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in some adults. These medications can result in extremely low blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is reduced.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual talk therapy can help them deal with their feelings of shame and embarrassment over their ADHD, as well as anger toward supervisors, colleagues teachers, and family members who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. Marriage and family counseling can be a great option to help couples suffering from ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can also help people who suffer from ADHD overcome low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy that can be a result of this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives and to learn new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term and goal-oriented therapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments or by itself.
CBT could include group therapy, which is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to meet others who have similar struggles and to discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or via the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to the standard treatment for adults with ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report measures like symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
Numerous studies have evaluated CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect size. These improvements were attributed to various modalities, including cognitive and interpersonal therapy and social skills training. problem-solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is required in comparing the efficacy of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is likely that differences in outcomes results result from a variety of factors, such as treatment features and the methods used. There are few studies that have investigated the effectiveness neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while performing cognitive tasks in order to pinpoint brain areas in which there is a lack or excess of activity. The person is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help to address these issues, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. untreated adhd in adults relationships include interpersonal therapy to improve the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behaviors that can cause problems at school or work.
In some instances, psychotherapy is used as an adjunct to medications for adult adhd in adults treatment. Patients with comorbid disorders such as substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder must be assessed to ensure that their symptoms aren't aggravated by the medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history or seizures, should be treated with more vigor.
When ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with the quality of life and daily functioning, intensive outpatient programs may be suggested. These programs offer an organized treatment that is more intense than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD enhance their ability to manage their time and impulse control, as well as executive function, and planning. It helps them understand and express their emotions and employs worksheets and exercises to make the lessons more interesting. Mindfulness meditation training improves CBT and enhances the ability of people to concentrate and control their emotions. It also increases a person's ability to handle the effects of stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with anger, sadness and other emotions that may be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD experience difficulties at work and at home. In addition to affecting work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and may result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues will allow you to improve your self-esteem and resolve underlying problems. It can also assist you in developing healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD, as it helps them to alter their negative thoughts and behavior. It concentrates on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods, and the perception that there are only a few options.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric disorders can reduce or even increase the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended that you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and then monitor the response to treatment before proceeding to treatment of the other condition.
Occupational therapy can teach you methods to organize your life and your work, set up routines that are predictable, manage money and time and develop confidence in yourself. It can help you learn techniques for relaxation that can reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. 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 resolve the issues they create for their spouses, kids and others. They often complain of being erratic and unorganized. They often forget things or make decisions impulsively. Classes and therapy in which spouses and other family members are educated on ADHD can help you establish healthier relationships. Additionally it can aid you and your loved ones understand that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD rather than to an absence of care or a willful refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression and addiction disorders. Psychosocial and medication treatments are available as treatments. There are a variety of medication options for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in studies. These studies have exposed the strengths and limitations of the medications.
Adults with ADHD may have the same symptoms as children do, but it can be difficult to determine because the symptoms of childhood may not last into adulthood. Adults who suffer from ADHD may also not have any family history of the disorder or may not remember symptoms. A thorough medical history is important to help determine whether the symptoms are due to a medical condition such as a thyroid problem or sleep apnea, hearing and vision problems or lead poisoning.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants are the most effective drugs for treating adults with ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80 percent range. The most popular stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate may also be administered through a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.
Adults with ADHD can take non-stimulant drugs that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine is the most studied tricyclic, and has been proven to be effective in adult patients with ADHD. It is a low dose medication and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL another antidepressant, was shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its availability in the brain. This drug has been found to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults. However, it is not as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving cognitive performance or concentration.