ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurological disorder that affects around 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, alcohol abuse) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed medications.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD report significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning when they take medication. It is crucial that people suffering from ADHD discover the right combination of medication that works for them.
Stimulants, including methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most frequently 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 supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or longer-acting drug that is taken daily to decrease the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD are also successfully treated with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of drugs can be employed in conjunction with stimulants or on their own to boost their effects. However, they can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, such as a rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam or clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, can have a calming effect and can increase focus and reduce the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in certain adults. However, these medications could cause a very low blood pressure if they are abruptly cut off or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy helps people overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment toward coworkers, teachers, supervisors and family members who might nitpick or criticize them. Additionally counseling for families and marriages can help couples suffering from ADHD be able to recognize each other's challenges and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is to teach strategies and skills that help improve functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD overcome low self-esteem and sense of failure that is often associated with this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that create difficulties in their lives and to learn new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has been found to be effective for a variety of disorders, including depression and anxiety. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or on its own.
CBT can include group therapy, which can be particularly helpful for adults with ADHD, as it provides the chance to connect with others who have similar struggles and to learn from others 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 improvement in self-report assessments of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for people with ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were attributed to various modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavior 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, such as treatment characteristics and measures used. There are few studies that have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This method involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while performing cognitive tasks in order to identify brain areas where there is excessive or insufficient 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 problems, which may be contributing to the ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include interpersonal therapy to improve the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage self-destructive, impulsive and negative behaviors that could create problems at school or work.
In certain situations psychotherapy is sometimes used in combination with medication for adults with adhd treatment. People with co-occurring disorders like substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder must be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms are not worsened by the medications used to treat ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and an history of seizures have to be treated with more vigor because they are at a higher risk of developing complications from the medication.
When ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs could be recommended. These programs offer a more intense and structured treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD enhance their ability to manage time management and impulse control, planning, and executive function. It helps them recognize and express their feelings and employs worksheets and exercises to make the lessons more interesting. The training in mindfulness meditation improves CBT and improves the ability of a person to focus and regulate emotions. It also enhances an individual's capacity to manage the effects of stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger and other emotions that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD experience difficulties at work and at home. In addition to affecting work performance, these conditions can cause problems 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 will also help you develop healthy coping methods.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps you modify your negative beliefs and behaviors. It focuses 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 people suffering from ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or decrease the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbidity first and monitor its response to medication prior to beginning treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your life and work, establish predictable routines that help you manage your money and time and build a positive image of yourself. It will also help you learn relaxation techniques that can decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Additionally, yoga and other exercise can help you improve your focus by ensuring your body is stable in different poses.
Family and marriage counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to resolve the issues they cause their children, spouses and friends. They frequently complain that they are unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. You can build stronger relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. Additionally, it can aid you and your loved ones understand that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD rather than an absence of care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is extremely common. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatment options. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in trials. These studies have highlighted both the strengths and the limitations of the medications.
Adults with ADHD might experience the same symptoms as children do, but it is difficult to identify because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD may not have a history of the disorder in their family or may not be aware of experiencing symptoms. It is crucial to take a thorough medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are caused by a medical condition, like thyroid issues such as sleep apnea, sleep apnea and vision issues.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants are the most effective medication for treating adults with ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80% range. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also accessible as a transdermal solution, that allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
internet site with ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine is the most studied tricyclic, and has been proven to be effective in adult patients suffering from ADHD. 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 works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake at the presynaptic transportationer which increases its accessibility to the brain. This drug has been proven to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity, but it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive function as stimulants.