ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the general population. It is accompanied by high levels of co-morbidity (depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD have significant improvements in symptoms and performance as a result of medication. Due to the various ways that people react to medications, it is important for individuals with ADHD to discover a combination that is most effective.
Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed drugs for adults suffering from 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 may supplement an 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.
Adults with ADHD are also successfully treated with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of medications can be used in conjunction with stimulants or alone to enhance their effects. However, they can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects such as an increased heart rate, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like alprazolam as well as clonidine are used to treat adults with ADHD. 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 certain adults. However, these medications can cause a very low blood pressure when they are abruptly cut off or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults with ADHD. Individual talk therapy can help them deal with their feelings of shame and embarrassment about their ADHD, as well as anger towards supervisors, coworkers teachers, and family members who may nag or criticize them. In addition counseling for families and marriages can help couples with ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to impart strategies and skills that help improve function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help people who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the sense of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives. It also helps to learn new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as acting. This short-term and goal-oriented therapy has been proven effective in treating many disorders, such as depression and anxiety. It can be used on its own or in combination with other treatments.
CBT could involve group therapy, which is especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD because it gives the chance to connect with others who are facing similar issues and learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be offered in person or by phone. One study compared the effects of CBT against conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvement in self-report measures of symptoms, functioning, 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 size. These improvements were attributed to diverse approaches such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is warranted in comparing the efficacy of different therapies for adult ADHD. It is possible that the variations in the outcomes are due to a variety of variables such as treatment characteristics, measures employed as well as the backgrounds of the patients. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness neurofeedback. This method involves wearing a hat with electrodes while performing cognitive tasks in order to pinpoint brain areas in which there is excessive or inadequate activity. The individual is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues that may be contributing ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to enhance the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to alter negative behaviors and help manage impulsive and self-destructive behaviors that can lead to problems at work or school.
In certain cases, psychotherapy can be used in conjunction with medication for adults adhd treatment. Patients suffering from comorbid disorders such as depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder need to be assessed to ensure that their symptoms aren't aggravated through the use of medications to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and an history of seizures have to be treated more aggressively as they are at a higher risk of developing complications from the medications.
Outpatient intensive programs may be suggested if the individual's ADHD is such that it interferes with their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide an organized treatment that is more intensive than traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of cognitive therapy, helps 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 it uses activities and worksheets to make the learning interesting. Mindfulness meditation training improves CBT and enhances the ability of a person to concentrate and regulate their emotions. It increases the capacity of a person's ability to handle the effects of stress and arousal. It can help them cope with anger, sadness, and other emotional issues which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD often report difficulty functioning at home and at work. These issues can also impact relationships and can lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you improve your self-esteem and resolve underlying problems. It can also help you develop healthy coping methods.
Cognitive-behavioral Therapy is a great treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps you modify your negative thoughts and behaviors. It focuses on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions which can lead to negative moods and the perception that there are only a few choices.
Many adults with ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric conditions can cause or decrease the effectiveness of some drugs used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended to first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then observe its response to the medication before treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you learn ways to organize your life and work, set up routines that are predictable, manage money and time and develop confidence in yourself. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that could reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. Additionally yoga and other forms of exercise can help you improve your focus by stabilizing your body in different postures.
Counseling for families and marriage can help address the issues that adults suffering from ADHD frequently create for their spouses, children and their families. They often complain of being unreliable and disorganized. They also tend to forget things or make impulsive choices. You can strengthen your relationships by educating your spouses and family members about ADHD. Additionally it can aid you and your loved ones to understand that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD rather than to an absence of care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a frequent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity. This includes depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. There are a variety of medications 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 who suffer from ADHD may experience the same symptoms that children do, but it is difficult to diagnose since childhood symptoms may not persist in adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder in their family or may not be aware of having symptoms. It is crucial to take an extensive medical history to determine whether the symptoms are caused by a medical condition, such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea or hearing and vision issues.
Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and other non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective drugs to treat adults suffering from ADHD and their response rates are in the 70 - 80 percent range. The most frequently used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. view it now may also be administered through a transdermal system. This allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.
Nonstimulant drugs for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that target norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low-dose medication that should be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is noticed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, has been shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake at the presynaptic transportationer and increasing its presence in the brain. The drug is known to improve the mood of adults and reduce hyperactivity, however, it's not as effective in improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.