ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known condition of the nervous system that affects 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied with a high rate of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse as well as significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Medications and psychotherapy are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people with ADHD experience significant improvements in symptoms and performance due to medications. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD find the combination of medication that works for them.
Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. 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 can augment 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 suffering from ADHD can be treated effectively with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of medications can be used together with stimulants or in isolation to boost their effects. They can also increase the danger of serious side consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam and clonidine are also used to treat adults with ADHD. These drugs, initially developed to treat high blood pressure, possess the ability to calm and enhance focus and decrease the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in certain adults. However, these medications could result in a drop in blood pressure when they are suddenly cut off or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy is also useful for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help them cope with feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD and anger toward supervisors, colleagues teachers, family members and others who might nag or criticize them. In addition counseling for marriage and families can help couples with ADHD understand each other's problems and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to help people learn strategies and techniques that enhance performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help people with ADHD overcome their self-esteem issues and the feeling of failure they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives and to learn new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as acting. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating various disorders, such as 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 those suffering from ADHD because it allows them to connect with other people who are facing similar issues and learn about how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to standard therapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures like symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared to other psychosocial treatments in adults with ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms and effects, with sizes ranging from medium to large. These improvements were associated with various modalities, including cognitive and interpersonal therapy as well as social skills training, problem solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is warranted in comparing the effectiveness of different therapies for adult ADHD. It is likely that the differences in the outcomes result from a variety of factors, including 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 identify brain areas where there is excessive or insufficient activity. what google did to me is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help with these issues that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include the use of interpersonal therapy to improve a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to transform negative behaviors and help manage impulsive and self-destructive behaviors that can lead to problems at school or at work.
In some cases, psychotherapy is utilized as an adjunct to the medication used for adhd in adults treatment. Patients with co-occurring disorders like substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder should be assessed to ensure that their symptoms are not worsened by the medications used to treat ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and an history of seizures must be treated more aggressively as they are at higher risk for complications from the medications.
Outpatient intensive programs may be suggested if the individual's ADHD is so severe that it significantly interferes with their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer structured treatment that is more intensive than traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as executive function, and planning. It helps them recognize and express emotions, and it uses worksheets and activities to make the learning interesting. The training in mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and improves the ability of a person to concentrate and manage emotions. It increases the capacity of a person to manage anxiety and stress. It can assist them in dealing with anger, sadness, and other difficult feelings that could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. These symptoms can also affect relationships and cause financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help boost your self-esteem, solve underlying problems and establish healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults with ADHD because it teaches you how to change your negative beliefs and behavior. In particular, it focuses on teaching you to utilize time management strategies and overcome the distortions in your thinking that cause negative moods and perceptions of limited choices.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid anxiety or depression. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or decrease the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbidity first and observe its response to medication prior to beginning treatment for the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your work and life by establishing predictable routines, manage your money and time, and develop an optimistic image of yourself. It will also help you learn relaxation techniques that can reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your concentration by stabilizing your body in various postures.
Counseling for families and marriage can assist adults suffering from ADHD to overcome the problems they cause their spouses, kids and other family members. They frequently complain of being unreliable and disorganized. They often forget things or make impulsive decisions. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are educated on ADHD can help you establish more harmonious relationships. Moreover, it can help you and your loved ones understand that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD rather than a lack of caring or a willful refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is very common. It is often accompanied by other disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medication interventions. There are a variety of treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Some of these medications have been tested in studies. These studies have revealed the strengths and limitations of the various medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD may experience the same symptoms that children do, but it can be difficult to determine because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their family or they may not remember having symptoms. A thorough medical history is important to help determine whether the symptoms are due to a medical condition like thyroid problems or sleep apnea, hearing and vision problems or lead poisoning.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants are the most effective medication for adults suffering from ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80 percent range. The most commonly used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate can also be found as a transdermal solution, which permits continuous supply of medication throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that target norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has been shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication and should be increased by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a second antidepressant that has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and is able to block the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its use in the brain. This drug has been proven to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity however, it's not as effective in improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.