ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, substance abuse) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Medications and psychotherapy are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most commonly prescribed drugs.
Medicines
Many people with ADHD experience significant improvement in their symptoms and performance due to medications. Due to the various ways that people react to medications, it is essential for those with ADHD to find a combination that is effective.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants, such as amphetamines or methylphenidate. 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 can supplement their immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medication taken once a day to decrease the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of medications can be employed in conjunction with stimulants or in isolation to boost their effects. However, they could increase the risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects like a rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam or clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These drugs were initially developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and can improve focus, and reduce the amount of hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. However, these medications can result in a drop in blood pressure if they are suddenly removed or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help them cope with their feelings of shame and embarrassment about their ADHD, as well as anger toward supervisors, colleagues, teachers and family members who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. In addition, marriage and family counseling can help couples suffering from ADHD be able to recognize each other's challenges and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can help those who suffer from ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the feeling of inadequacy they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy helps people change their negative thoughts and emotions that cause problems in their lives. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of conditions, including anxiety and depression. It can be used on its own or in combination with other therapies.
CBT can involve group therapy, which can be especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD, as it provides the chance to connect with others with similar challenges and to discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or via the phone. One study examined the effects of CBT with that of traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvements in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
Several studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for people with ADHD and have all shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were associated with a variety of modalities such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is advised in comparing the efficacy of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is likely that the different outcomes of the treatments are due to a variety of variables such as the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used, and patient backgrounds. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas of the brain where there is too much or too little activity. Then, instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy strategies include interpersonal therapy to improve a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to change negative behavior and assist in reducing impulsive and self-destructive behaviors which can lead to issues at school or at work.
In certain cases, psychotherapy is used as an adjunct to the medication used for adhd in adults treatment. People who have comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder, and substance abuse must be assessed carefully to make sure they don't have symptoms that cannot be improved by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and an history of seizures must be treated more aggressively as they are more at risk for complications from the medications.
Outpatient intensive programs may be recommended if the person's ADHD is so severe that it significantly affects their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer more intensive and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD enhance their ability to manage time management and impulse control, as well as organizing, and executive function. It helps them identify and express their feelings and utilizes worksheets and activities to make the learning more interesting. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT and improves a person's ability to focus and regulate their emotions. It enhances the capacity of a person to manage anxiety and stress. It can assist them in dealing with anger, sadness, and other emotions which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. In addition to affecting work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and can lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you improve your self-esteem, resolve underlying problems and establish healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral Therapy is a great treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps you modify your negative beliefs and behaviors. Particularly, it focuses on teaching you to use strategies to manage your time and eliminate thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and a perception of limited choices.
Many adults with ADHD also suffer from depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or decrease the effectiveness of certain treatments for ADHD. Therefore it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbidity first and observe the effect of medication prior to beginning treatment for the other condition.
Occupational therapy can teach you methods to organize your life and work, set up predictable routines, manage time and money and build confidence in yourself. It can help you learn ways to relax that could reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. In the same way, yoga and other exercise can help you focus better by ensuring your body is stable in different poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can assist adults suffering from ADHD to resolve the issues they create for their spouses, kids and other family members. They often complain of being unreliable and disorganized. They also tend to forget things or make impulsive decisions. Therapy and classes where spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you develop better relationships. It can help you and your family members realize that the problem is caused by ADHD and not the lack of care or a refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly common neurobiological disorder. It is often accompanied by co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medication interventions. try this out of medications are available for adults with ADHD and a few of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and the limitations of the drugs.
Adults with ADHD may have the same symptoms as children do, but it can be difficult to diagnose because childhood symptoms might not persist in adulthood. Adults with ADHD may also not have any family history of the disorder, or may not remember symptoms. resources is necessary to determine if the symptoms are due to an illness such as thyroid issues or sleep apnea. It could also be due to hearing and vision problems or lead poisoning.
Treatments for adults suffering from ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD and their response rates are in the 70%-80 percent range. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be found as a transdermal solution, which allows for a continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that target norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low-dose medication which should be increased each seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is noticed.
Bupropion XL is a second antidepressant which has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. try this out is known to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity, but it's not as effective in improving concentration or cognitive function as stimulants.