ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4% of the general population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression, anxiety, substance abuse) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Both medication and psychotherapy are effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people who suffer from ADHD report significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning in response to medication. It is important that people suffering from ADHD discover the right combination of medication that works for them.
Stimulants, including amphetamines and methylphenidate, are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. These stimulants are available in tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Adults can supplement their immediate-release medicine with an extended release long-acting medicine at least every week to lessen the requirement to take it frequently throughout the day.
Antidepressants such as desipramine have also been proven to be effective in treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of medications can be used in conjunction with stimulants or alone to enhance their effects. They can also increase the risk of serious adverse effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam or clonidine. They are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, can have the ability to calm and increase focus and reduce the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in certain adults. These medications can result in extremely low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is decreased.
Adults with ADHD are also able to benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy helps people overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment and resentment against coworkers, supervisors, teachers and family members who might criticize or nag 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 teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can help people with ADHD overcome their self-esteem issues and the feeling of inadequacy they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that create difficulties in their lives and to learn new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as acting. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has proven to be effective for many disorders such as anxiety and depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or by itself.
CBT could include group therapy, which can be particularly beneficial for people with ADHD, as it provides the chance to connect with others who are facing similar issues and learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report indicators like symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. this of these studies demonstrate significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes ranging from medium to large. These improvements were associated with a variety modalities including interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy and social skills training. problem solving training, as well as mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is required when comparing the effectiveness of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is likely that the variations in the outcomes depend on a variety of factors that include treatment characteristics, measures employed as well as the backgrounds of the patients. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to determine areas in the brain where there is too much or too little activity. Then, instructing the person to manage these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help to address these problems, which may contribute to 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 aims to transform negative behaviors and help manage self-destructive and impulsive behavior that can lead to problems at school or at work.
In some instances psychotherapy can be used as an alternative to medications for adult adhd treatment for adults. Patients with comorbid disorders such as depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder must be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms aren't aggravated through the use of medications to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and seizures in the past, have to be treated with more vigor because they are at a higher risk of complications from medications.
Outpatient intensive programs may be recommended when the person's ADHD is such that it hinders 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) helps adults suffering from ADHD improve their abilities to manage time management and impulse control, as well as executive function, and planning. It teaches them to recognize and express feelings, and it uses activities and worksheets to make the lessons interesting. The practice of mindfulness meditation improves CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to concentrate and manage emotions. It enhances the capacity of a person's ability to handle the effects of stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD experience difficulties at work and at home. These issues can also impact relationships and lead to financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you increase self-esteem, address underlying problems and establish healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps them to alter their negative thoughts and behaviors. It is focused on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions that can lead to negative moods and the perception that there are only a few choices.
Many adults with ADHD also suffer from anxiety or depression. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or increase the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and then monitor its response to medication prior to beginning treatment for the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your work and life and establish routines that are predictable that help you manage your money and time and build confidence in yourself. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that could reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. In the same way, yoga and other exercise can help you focus better by stabilizing the body in different postures.
Family and marriage counseling can address the issues adults suffering from ADHD often cause their children, spouses, and their families. They often complain of being unreliable and disorganized. They are also prone to forget things or make impulsive decisions. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are educated on ADHD can help you build more harmonious relationships. It can also help you and your family members understand that the problem is caused by ADHD instead of an inability to care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is extremely common. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity. This includes depression, anxiety and addiction disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatments. There are a variety of medications available for adults suffering from ADHD and a few of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the various medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD may have the same symptoms as children have, but it's difficult to identify because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their families or they may not even remember having symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to determine if the symptoms are caused by an illness like thyroid problems, sleep apnea, vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants have the highest response rates for adults suffering from ADHD. Their responsiveness rates range between 70 and 80%. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate may also be administered through a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery during the daytime.
Adults with ADHD can take non-stimulant drugs that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has been proven 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 observed.
Bupropion XL is another antidepressant that has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. untreated adhd in female adults is a dopamine-agonist that is effective in blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults. However, it isn't as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving concentration or cognitive function.