ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 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 with ADHD. The most commonly prescribed medications are stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people with ADHD experience significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning as a result of medication. Due to the many different ways people respond to medications it is essential for those with ADHD to discover a combination that is effective.
Stimulants, including amphetamines and methylphenidate, are the most frequently prescribed medication for adults suffering from 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. 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.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of drugs can be used together with stimulants or in isolation to boost their effects. However, they can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects such as rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like alprazolam and clonidine are also used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs, initially developed to treat high blood pressure, possess the ability to calm and increase focus and reduce the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among certain adults. However, these medications could cause a drop in blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy is also useful for adults with ADHD. Individual talk therapy can help them cope with feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD and anger toward supervisors, colleagues teachers, and family members who might nag or criticize them. Marriage and family counseling is a great method to help couples suffering from ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
The primary goal of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to teach strategies and techniques that enhance functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can also assist people who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and sense of failure that is often associated with this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavioral therapy assists people in changing their negative thoughts and emotions that cause difficulties in their lives. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for many conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be utilized in conjunction with other treatments or alone.
CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for adults with ADHD because it enables them to meet others who have similar struggles and learn about how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or via the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults who have ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures such as symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD and have all shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect size. These improvements were attributed to diverse modalities like cognitive and interpersonal therapy and social skills training. problem solving training, and mindfulness mediation.
However, caution is warranted in comparing the effectiveness of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is likely that the differences in the outcomes are due to a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics and the measures used. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, an approach that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to identify areas of the brain where there is too much or little activity, and instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues which may be causing ADHD symptoms. doctors who treat adhd in adults is among the psychotherapy methods that can help improve the ability of individuals to resolve conflicts and build lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to transform negative behaviors and assist in reducing impulsive and self-destructive behaviors that can cause problems at school or at work.
In certain situations psychotherapy is sometimes used in conjunction with medications for adults adhd treatment. People with comorbid conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder and substance abuse need to be evaluated carefully to make sure they don't have symptoms that are not improved by the medications used to treat ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and seizures in the past, have to be treated more aggressively because they are at a higher risk of developing complications from the medications.
When ADHD is serious enough to affect everyday functioning and quality of life, intensive outpatient programs may be recommended. These programs offer structured therapy that is more intense than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form 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 their emotions and uses worksheets and activities to make the lessons more enjoyable. Meditation training that is mindful enhances CBT and enhances the ability of people to concentrate and manage their emotions. It enhances the capacity of a person's ability to handle anxiety and stress. It can help them deal with anger, sadness and other emotions that may be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. These symptoms can also affect relationships and can lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you increase self-esteem, address the root causes of your issues and establish healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and helps them change their negative beliefs and behavior. In particular, it concentrates on teaching you to utilize time management strategies and overcome mental distortions that lead to negative moods and perceptions of a limited selection.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid anxiety or depression. These psychiatric conditions can cause or diminish the effectiveness of some treatments for ADHD. It is therefore recommended to treat the most severe comorbidity and then observe its reaction to the medication prior treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your life and work, establish predictable routines that help you manage your time and money, and develop an optimistic image of yourself. It can help you master relaxation methods that may reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your concentration by ensuring your body is stable in various poses.
Marriage and family counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to solve the problems they create for their spouses, kids and friends. They frequently complain of being unstable, unorganized, forgetful and prone to making impulsive decisions. You can strengthen relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. It can aid you and your family members understand that the problems are caused by ADHD, rather than an inability to care or a refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is often accompanied by comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. The use of medication and psychosocial interventions is available as treatment options. There are a range of medications available for adults with ADHD. Some of these medications have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and weaknesses of the medication.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have the same symptoms as children, but it isn't always easy to recognize them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist into adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD might not have an ancestral history of the disorder, or might not remember the symptoms. It is essential to take a thorough medical history to determine whether the symptoms are due to an illness such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea or hearing and vision problems.
Treatments for adults suffering from ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. The stimulants have the highest response rates for adults with ADHD. Their response rates range from 70 to 80percent. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be administered via a transdermal system. This allows for continuous medication delivery during the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medicine and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is another antidepressant that has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter, thereby increasing its availability in the brain. This drug is known to boost mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity but it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive function as stimulants.