ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4% of the general population. It is associated with high rates of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD have significant improvements in their symptoms and performance due to medication. It is essential that those with ADHD discover the right combination of medication that works for them.
Stimulants, including methylphenidate and amphetamines, 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 medicine used once per day to decrease the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can be treated successfully with antidepressants like desipramine. This class of drugs can be used by itself or in conjunction with stimulants to boost their effects. However, they may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects such as a rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, have the ability to calm and enhance focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. These medications can result in extremely low blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is reduced.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults with ADHD. Individual talk therapy helps those with ADHD to overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment toward coworkers, teachers, supervisors, and family members that may criticize or nag them. In addition counseling for marriage and families can help couples suffering from ADHD be able to recognize each other's challenges and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to impart skills and strategies that improve functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can also assist people with ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and sense of failure that is often associated with this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives. It also helps to develop new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term and goal-oriented therapy has been proven effective in treating many disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with other treatments or on its own.
CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is especially beneficial for people with ADHD as it allows them to connect with other people who are facing similar issues and discover how they deal with their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to the standard treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures such as symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
CBT has been compared to other psychosocial treatments in adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies have shown significant reductions in ADHD symptoms and effects, with sizes between medium and large. These improvements were linked to a variety modalities including cognitive and interpersonal therapy as well as social skills training, problem solving training, as well as mindfulness meditation.
It is essential to assess the efficacy between different treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. It is possible that the differences in the outcomes result from a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics and measures used. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while performing cognitive tasks to identify areas of the brain where there is too much or little activity, and teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD also suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help with these issues that may be contributing ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy techniques that can help improve the ability of a person to resolve conflicts and build meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behavior that can cause problems at work or school.
In certain cases, psychotherapy is utilized as an adjunct to medications for adult adhd in adults treatment. People with multiple disorders like depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder should be assessed to ensure their symptoms aren't made worse by the medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, must be treated with more vigor.
When ADHD is severe enough to interfere with the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs might be suggested. These programs provide structured treatment that is more intense than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, organizing, and executive function. It teaches them to recognize and express feelings and uses activities and worksheets to make the lessons interesting. The training in mindfulness meditation improves CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to concentrate and regulate emotions. It also enhances an individual's ability to tolerate the effects of stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger, and other difficult feelings that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. These issues can also impact relationships and lead to financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It can also help you develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps them change their negative attitudes and behavior. It focuses on teaching you to utilize strategies for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and the perception of a limited selection.
Many people with ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric conditions can cause or reduce the effectiveness of some treatments for ADHD. It is therefore recommended to treat the most severe comorbidity and then monitor the response to the medication before treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life, establish predictable routines to manage your time and money and build an optimistic image of yourself. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that could reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other workouts can help you improve concentration by stabilizing your body in various postures.
Counseling for families and marriage can address the issues adults with ADHD frequently cause their spouses, children and other family members. They often complain of being unreliable and disorganized. They often forget things or make impulsive decisions. evidence based treatment for adhd in adults and therapy in which spouses and other family members are educated on ADHD can help you build healthier relationships. Furthermore it can aid you and your loved ones to understand that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD rather than to the lack of compassion or a willful refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is often associated with other disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. A variety of medications are available to adults suffering from ADHD, and some of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and weaknesses of the drugs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, however it can be difficult to recognize them since childhood symptoms might not last until adulthood. Adults who suffer from ADHD may not have any family background of the disorder or may not be aware of symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to determine if the symptoms are caused by medical conditions such as a thyroid problem or sleep apnea, issues with vision and hearing or lead poisoning.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants are the most effective medication for treating adults with ADHD and their response rates are in the 70 - 80% range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be administered via a transdermal device. This allows for continuous medication delivery during the daytime.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine is one of the most studied tricyclic and has been shown to be effective in adult patients suffering from ADHD. It is a low-dose medication which should be increased each seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a second antidepressant that has been shown 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 use in the brain. This drug has been found to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults, but it is not as effective as stimulants in improving concentration or cognitive function.