ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4% of the general population. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, addiction to drugs) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed drugs.
Medicines
Many adults suffering from ADHD have significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning due to medications. It is crucial that people with ADHD find the combination of medication that works for them.
Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate. They are available in tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. Adults may supplement an immediate-release medicine with an extended release, long-acting medicine once a week to reduce the requirement to take it frequently throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated effectively with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of medications can be utilized in conjunction with stimulants or on their own to boost their effects. However, they could increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects such as rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam as well as clonidine are used to treat people suffering from ADHD. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, possess an calming effect and are able to improve focus and decrease the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among some adults. These medications can result in very low blood pressure if they are suddenly stopped, or the dosage is decreased.
Adults with ADHD may also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy can help them cope with their feelings of shame and embarrassment over their ADHD, as well as anger towards supervisors, coworkers teachers, family members and others who may nag or criticize them. Marriage and family counseling is a great method to help couples with ADHD better understand each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
The primary goal of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to help people learn skills and strategies that improve performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help people who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the feeling of failure they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists individuals in changing the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives and to develop new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as acting. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating many conditions, including anxiety and depression. It can be used on its own or in combination with other therapies.
CBT could involve group therapy, which is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to interact with other people who are facing similar issues and learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be offered in person or via phone. One study examined the effects of CBT with that of standard therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvement in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms with effects that range from moderate to large. These improvements were linked to a variety modalities including interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy and social skills training. problem solving training, and mindfulness mediation.
However, caution is advised in comparing the effectiveness of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is possible that the variations in the outcomes are due to a variety of variables such as the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used and the background of the patient. Few studies have examined the effectiveness neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing a hat with electrodes while performing cognitive tasks in order to determine brain regions where there is a lack or excess of activity. The individual is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which may be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy methods that can help improve the ability of individuals to resolve conflicts and develop meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to transform negative behaviors and assist in managing impulsive and self-destructive behaviors which can lead to issues at school or work.
In some cases psychotherapy can be used as an alternative to the medication used for 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 made worse through the use of medications to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and seizures in the past, have to be treated more aggressively because they are at a higher risk for complications from the medications.
When ADHD is serious enough to affect daily functioning and quality-of-life intensive outpatient programs could be suggested. These programs offer more intensive and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of cognitive therapy, aids adults suffering from ADHD to improve their ability to manage time planning, impulse control and executive functioning. It helps them understand and express feelings and utilizes activities and worksheets to make the lessons engaging. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT, and it improves a person's ability to focus and manage their emotions. It improves the ability of a person to tolerate anxiety and stress. It can help them cope with sadness, anger, and other emotions which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. In addition to affecting their work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and can cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you to improve your self-esteem and address the root of the issue. It can also assist you in developing healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults with ADHD because it teaches you how to change your negative thoughts and behaviors. Particularly, it focuses on teaching you to employ time management strategies and overcome mental distortions that lead to negative moods and the perception of a limited selection.
Many people with ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or reduce the effectiveness of some drugs used to treat ADHD. It is therefore recommended that you first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then observe its reaction to the medication prior treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your life and work and establish routines that are predictable to manage your time and money and create confidence in yourself. It can help you master relaxation methods that may reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can help you improve focus by ensuring your body is stable in various poses.
Family and marriage counseling can address the issues adults with ADHD often cause their spouses, children and other family members. Full File complain about being insecure, unorganized, and prone to making impulsive decisions. Classes and therapy in which spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you establish healthier relationships. Moreover it can help you and your loved ones understand that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD rather than an absence of care or a willful refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly common neurobiological disorder. It is often accompanied by comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatment options. A wide range of medications are available for adults with ADHD and a few of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and limitations of the various medications.
Adults who suffer from ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children do, but it is difficult to diagnose since childhood symptoms may not last into adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their family or may not be aware of experiencing symptoms. It is essential to take an extensive medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are caused by an illness like thyroid issues or sleep apnea, and vision problems.
Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medications for treating adults with ADHD and their response rates are in the 70%-80 percentage range. The most commonly used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also accessible in a transdermal system, that allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take non-stimulant drugs that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has been proven to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a medication with a low dose that is recommended to be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL, another antidepressant, has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and works by blocking the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its presence in the brain. This drug is known to improve the mood of adults and reduce hyperactivity, however, it's not as effective in improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.