ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the general population. It is associated by high rates of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, and significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most commonly prescribed drugs.
Medications
Many people with ADHD have significant improvements in symptoms and functioning due to medication. It is crucial that people with ADHD find the combination of medications that works for them.
Stimulants, including amphetamines and methylphenidate, are the most commonly prescribed medications for adults with ADHD. adhd in adults symptoms and treatment are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid forms 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 medicine used once per day to lessen the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Desipramine and other antidepressants have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of drugs may be utilized in conjunction with stimulants, or in isolation to boost their effects. They may 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 and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, possess a calming effect and can enhance focus and decrease the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among some adults. These medications can result in extremely low blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is decreased.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults with ADHD. Individual talk therapy helps people to overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment against coworkers, supervisors, teachers and family members who may criticize or nag them. Additionally counseling for marriage and families can help couples suffering from ADHD understand each other's problems and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is to impart strategies and skills that help improve functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can help people with ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the feeling of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that create difficulties in their lives and to develop new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as doing. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT may include group therapy, which can be particularly beneficial for people with ADHD as it offers the opportunity to meet others with similar challenges and to learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or over the phone. One study examined the effects of CBT against traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvement in self-report measures of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared to other psychosocial treatments in adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes ranging from medium to large. These improvements were associated with a variety of modalities that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving, and mindfulness meditation.
It is crucial to evaluate the efficacy between different treatments for adult ADHD with caution. It is likely that the differences in outcomes results are due to a variety of factors, including the treatment characteristics and measures employed. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, an approach that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to determine areas in the brain where there is too much or too little activity. Then, teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to improve the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to alter negative behaviors and help manage self-destructive and impulsive behavior which can lead to issues at school or at work.
In certain cases psychotherapy is sometimes used in combination with medication for adults with adhd treatment. People with comorbid disorders such as depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder must be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms aren't made worse by medications used to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and an history of seizures have to be treated more aggressively as they are more at risk for complications from the medications.
When ADHD is severe enough to interfere with the quality of life and daily functioning, intensive outpatient programs may be recommended. These programs offer more intense and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of cognitive therapy, assists adults suffering from ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive functioning. It helps them understand and express their emotions and uses worksheets and activities to make the learning more engaging. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT and enhances the ability of a person to concentrate and regulate their emotions. It also enhances an individual's ability to handle stress and arousal. It helps them deal with anger, sadness, and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting their work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and can lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you to improve your self-esteem and resolve underlying problems. It will also help you develop healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral Therapy is a great treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps you modify your negative thoughts and behaviors. It concentrates on teaching time management techniques and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that can lead to negative moods and the perception of limited possibilities.
Many people with ADHD also have comorbid anxiety or depression. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or decrease the effectiveness of certain drugs used to treat ADHD. It is recommended that you first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then monitor the response to the medication before treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your life and work, establish predictable routines, manage your time and money and build a positive image of yourself. It can help you master relaxation methods that may reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can also aid in improving your focus by stabilizing your body in various poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can help adults with ADHD to overcome the problems they create for their children, spouses and friends. They frequently complain that they are insecure, unorganized, and prone to making impulsive decisions. Therapy and classes where spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you build healthier relationships. Additionally it can help you and your loved ones understand that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD instead of a lack of caring or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is highly prevalent. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression and addiction disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD. Some of these medications have been evaluated in trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD have the same symptoms as children, but it isn't always easy to diagnose them because the symptoms of childhood may not persist until adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD may not have a family background of the disorder or may not be aware of symptoms. It is crucial to take an extensive medical history to determine whether the symptoms are related to an illness, such as thyroid problems or sleep apnea, and vision problems.
Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and other non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80 percentage range. The most commonly used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate can also be administered via a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery during the day.
Nonstimulant drugs for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants which work on dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine is the most studied tricyclic drug and has been proven to be effective in adult patients suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose medicine and is recommended to increase the dose 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-agonist which is effective in blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic cellular transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. This drug has been proven to improve the mood of adults and reduce hyperactivity, but it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.