ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent disorder of the nervous system that affects around 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, and significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
adhd treatment for young adults with ADHD have seen significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning when they take medication. Due to the many different ways people respond to medications it is essential for those with ADHD to find a combination that is most effective.
Stimulants, such as 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 often as every three to four hours. Some adults can supplement their immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medication that is taken daily to decrease the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated effectively with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of drugs can be employed together with stimulants or on their own 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 suffering from ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam or clonidine. They are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and may improve focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in some adults. These medications can cause extremely low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is reduced.
Psychotherapy is also useful for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy helps them deal with feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment towards co-workers and teachers, supervisors and family members who might criticize or nag them. Family and marriage counseling is also a great way to help couples with ADHD better understand each other and improve 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 with ADHD overcome low self-esteem and feeling of inadequacy that can be a result of this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavior therapy, assists people to change negative thoughts and feelings that cause problems in their lives. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for many disorders including anxiety and depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with other treatments or on its own.
CBT may include group therapy, which is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to interact with other people with similar challenges and to learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or via the phone. One study examined the effects of CBT in comparison to conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvements in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments in adults with ADHD. All of these studies have shown significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes ranging from medium to large. These improvements were linked to diverse approaches such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving and mindfulness meditation.
It is essential to assess the effectiveness of different treatments for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that differences in outcomes results result from a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics and the measures used. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to identify areas of the brain where there is too much or too little activity, and teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help to address these problems, which may be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy methods that can aid in improving the ability of a person to resolve conflicts and build meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to alter negative behaviors and assist in reducing self-destructive and impulsive behavior that can cause problems at work or school.
In certain situations psychotherapy is sometimes used in conjunction with medications for adults adhd treatment. People with multiple disorders like addiction to substances, depression and bipolar disorder must be assessed to ensure their symptoms are not worsened by medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history or seizures, must be treated with more vigor.
When ADHD is severe enough to interfere with everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs might be recommended. These programs offer an organized therapy that is more intense than traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD improve their abilities to manage their time and impulse control, executive function, and planning. It teaches them to recognize and express their emotions and uses activities and worksheets to make the learning interesting. The practice of mindfulness meditation improves CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to concentrate and manage emotions. It also improves a person's ability to handle the effects of stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. In addition to affecting work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and can cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you increase self-esteem, address the root of your issue and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral Therapy is a great treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps you modify your negative beliefs and behavior. It focuses on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions which contribute to negative moods, and the perception of limited options.
Many people with ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or decrease the effectiveness of certain drugs used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and monitor the response to treatment prior to attempting treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you learn ways to organize your life and your work, establish predictable routines, manage money and time and develop confidence in yourself. It can help you learn ways to relax that could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can also aid in improving your concentration by stabilizing your body in various postures.
Family and marriage counseling can address the problems that adults with ADHD often cause their children, spouses, and their families. They frequently complain that they are unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and prone to making impulsive decisions. Classes and therapy in which spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you establish better relationships. Additionally it can help you and your loved ones understand that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD rather than the lack of compassion or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly frequent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity. This includes depression, anxiety and addiction disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medication interventions. There are many medication options for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted the strengths and limitations of the medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, however it isn't always easy to recognize them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist throughout adulthood. Adults who suffer from ADHD might not have any family history of the disorder, or may not remember symptoms. It is important to have a thorough medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are related to an illness like thyroid issues, sleep apnea or hearing and vision issues.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants are the most effective medications to treat adults suffering from ADHD and their responsiveness rates are within the 70-80% range. The most popular stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also available in a transdermal system, that allows for continuous supply of medication throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take non-stimulant drugs that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication and should be increased by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant that has been proven to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic transporter, thereby increasing its presence in the brain. This drug has been found to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults. However, it isn't as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving concentration or cognitive function.