ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurological disorder that affects 44% of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, alcohol abuse) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are among the most frequently prescribed medications.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD have significant improvements in their symptoms and performance due to medication. Due to the various ways that people respond to medication, it is crucial for people with ADHD to determine a mix that works best.
Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants like amphetamines or methylphenidate. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid forms and can be taken as often as every three to four hours. Some adults supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or longer-acting drug taken once a day to decrease the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can be successfully treated with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of drugs may be utilized in conjunction with stimulants, or in isolation to boost their effects. They can also increase the risk of serious side effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as alprazolam and clonidine can also be used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs, initially developed to treat high blood pressure, can have a calming effect and can improve focus and decrease the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in some adults. These medications can result in extremely low blood pressure if they are suddenly stopped, or the dosage is decreased.
Adults suffering from ADHD are also able to benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them to overcome feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment toward coworkers, teachers, supervisors, and family members that might criticize or nag them. In addition counseling for families and marriages can help couples suffering from ADHD understand each other's problems and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and sense of inadequacy that can be a result of this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives and to learn new ways of thinking, feeling and doing. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has been found to be effective for many disorders such as anxiety and depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or on its own.
CBT could include group therapy, which can be particularly helpful for adults with ADHD as it offers the opportunity to meet others with similar challenges and to discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be offered in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting indicators like symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
CBT has been compared to other psychosocial treatments in adults with ADHD. All of these studies have shown significant reductions in ADHD symptoms and effects, with sizes ranging from medium to large. These improvements were attributed to diverse modalities like interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy, social skills training, problem solving training, as well as mindfulness mediation.
It is important to compare the effectiveness of different treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that the differences in outcome results depend on a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics, measures employed, and patient backgrounds. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, an approach that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to determine areas in the brain that there is too much or little activity. Then, teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can address these problems that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include the use of interpersonal therapy to improve a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. more information is designed to help people manage impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behaviors that could create problems at work or school.
In certain cases, psychotherapy can be used in combination with medication for adults who are seeking treatment for adhd. People who have comorbid conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder and substance abuse need to be evaluated carefully to make sure they don't suffer from symptoms that aren't ameliorated by the medications used to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and an history of seizures need to be treated with more vigor because they are at a higher risk for complications from the medications.
If ADHD is severe enough to interfere with the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs might be suggested. These programs offer more thorough and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with 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 learning interesting. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT and improves the ability of people to concentrate and manage their emotions. It enhances the capacity of a person to tolerate stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger and other emotions that could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to impacting work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and can result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues will allow you build confidence in yourself and address the root of the issue. It will also help you develop healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches them how to change their negative thoughts and behaviours. Particularly, it is focused on teaching you how to employ strategies to manage your time and eliminate mental distortions that lead to negative moods and the perception of a limited range of choices.
Many adults with ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or even increase the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe comorbidity first and then monitor the response to treatment prior to beginning treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can teach you how to manage your life and your work, create regular routines, manage your time and money, and create confidence in yourself. It can help you master ways to relax that could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other workouts can help you improve focus by ensuring your body is stable in different poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can help address the issues that people with ADHD often cause their spouses, children and other family members. They frequently complain that they are unstable, unorganized, forgetful and often prone to making impulsive choices. You can build stronger relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. Additionally, 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 highly prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is often accompanied by other disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. There are a variety of medication options for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and weaknesses of the various medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD have the same symptoms as children, but it isn't always easy to diagnose them because childhood symptoms might not last throughout adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD may also not have a family history of the disorder, or may not be aware of symptoms. It is crucial to take an extensive medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are due to a medical condition, like thyroid issues such as sleep apnea, sleep apnea and vision issues.
Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80 percent range. The most popular stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate can also be found as a transdermal solution, that allows for continuous drug delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that target dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine is the most studied tricyclic drug and has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose drug and should be increased by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is another antidepressant which has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic transportation system, thus increasing its availability in the brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults. However, it is not as effective as stimulants in improving cognitive performance or concentration.
