ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent neurological disorder that affects around 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, and alcohol abuse) and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most commonly prescribed medications are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning due to medications. It is crucial that people suffering from ADHD find the combination of medication that works for them.
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most commonly prescribed drugs 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 hours. Adults may supplement an immediate-release medicine with an extended release long-acting medication every week to lessen the need to take it frequently throughout the day.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of drugs can be used on its own or in combination with stimulants to increase their effects. However, they could increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects such as a rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as alprazolam and clonidine are also used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, can have a calming effect and can increase focus and reduce the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in certain adults. However, these medications can result in a drop in blood pressure if they are suddenly cut off or reduced in dosage.
Adults suffering from ADHD are also able to benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy can help them deal with their feelings of shame and embarrassment about their ADHD, as well as anger towards supervisors, coworkers teachers, family members and others who might nag or criticize them. Additionally counseling for families and marriages can help couples with ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is to teach skills and strategies that improve functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can help people with ADHD overcome their self-esteem issues and the sense of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavioral therapy, helps people change their negative thoughts and emotions that cause problems in their lives. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has been found to be effective in treating a variety of disorders, including depression and anxiety. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies or by itself.
CBT can include group therapy. This is especially beneficial for people with ADHD because it enables them to connect with other people who are facing similar issues and learn how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or via the phone. In first line treatment for adhd in adults , CBT was compared to standard therapy for adults with ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures like symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD, and all show significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were associated with various modalities such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is required in comparing the efficacy of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is likely that differences in the outcomes are due to a range of factors, including the treatment characteristics and the measures used. There are few studies that have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while performing cognitive tasks to determine brain regions where there is excessive or inadequate activity. The individual is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can address these problems that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include interpersonal therapy to enhance a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to alter negative behaviors and help manage self-destructive and impulsive behaviors that can cause problems at school or work.
In some cases psychotherapy may be utilized in conjunction with medication for adults who are seeking treatment for adhd. Patients suffering from co-occurring disorders like depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder must be assessed to ensure their symptoms aren't made worse through the use of medications to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, must be treated with more vigor because they are more at risk for complications from the medications.
When ADHD is serious enough to affect the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs might be suggested. These programs offer more thorough and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD improve their abilities to manage time and impulse control, as well as organizing, and executive function. It helps them recognize and express feelings, and it uses activities and worksheets to make the learning interesting. Meditation training that is mindful enhances CBT and enhances the ability of a person to concentrate and control their emotions. It increases the capacity of a person to tolerate the effects of stress and arousal. It helps them deal with anger, sadness, and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. In addition to affecting work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and could lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you to improve your self-esteem and resolve underlying problems. It can also assist you in developing healthy coping methods.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults with ADHD because it teaches you how to modify your negative thoughts and behaviors. Particularly, it focuses on teaching you to use strategies for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and perceptions of a limited selection.
Many adults with ADHD also suffer from depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or even increase the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended to treat the most severe comorbid condition and then monitor the response to the medication prior to treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you learn methods to organize your life and work, create predictable routines, manage money and time and develop an optimistic self-image. It can also help you learn techniques for relaxation that can reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can also aid in improving your focus by stabilizing your body in various postures.
Counseling for families and marriage can help adults with ADHD to solve the problems they create for their spouses, kids and others. They frequently complain of being erratic and unorganized. They often forget things or make impulsive choices. You can build stronger relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. Additionally it can aid you and your loved ones to 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 neurobiological disorder which is very frequent. It is often accompanied by comorbid conditions such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatments. There are a variety of medication options for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and the limitations of the medication.
Adults with ADHD have the same symptoms as children, however it isn't always easy to recognize them since childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their families or may not be aware of having symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to determine if the symptoms are caused by an illness like thyroid problems or sleep apnea, vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants have the highest response rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their responsiveness rates vary from 70 to 80%. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery during the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been proven to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a medication with a low dose which should be increased each seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is seen.
Bupropion XL is another antidepressant which has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which is effective in blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic cellular transporter and increasing its presence in the brain. This drug is known to boost mood in adults and decrease hyperactivity, however, it's not as effective at improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.