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, as well as significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Both medication and psychotherapy are effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD experience significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning due to medications. adhd treatment for adults medication to the various ways people respond to medications it is crucial for people with ADHD to find a combination that is effective.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants, such as amphetamines or methylphenidate. These stimulants are available as liquid or tablet form 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 necessity to take it frequently throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be successfully treated with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of medications can be employed in conjunction with stimulants or alone to enhance their effects. They can also increase the danger of serious side effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam or clonidine. They are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, can have an calming effect and are able to enhance focus and decrease the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in certain adults. However, these medications could cause a very low blood pressure if they are suddenly cut off or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help them deal with feelings of shame, embarrassment and resentment toward coworkers, teachers, supervisors, and family members that might criticize or nag them. Additionally, marriage and family counseling can help couples suffering from ADHD understand each other's problems and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to teach strategies and skills that help improve function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help people who suffer from ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the feeling of inadequacy they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavioral therapy, assists people to change negative thoughts and feelings that are causing problems in their lives. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating many disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used by itself or in combination with other therapies.
CBT could involve group therapy, which can be particularly beneficial for people with ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to interact with other people who have similar struggles and to discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or over the phone. One study examined the effects of CBT against standard therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvement in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments in adults with ADHD. All of these studies demonstrate significant reductions in ADHD symptoms with effects ranging from medium to large. These improvements were linked to a variety modalities including cognitive and interpersonal therapy, social skills training, problem solving training, as well as mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is advised in comparing the efficacy of different therapies for adult ADHD. It is likely that the differences in the outcomes result from a variety of factors, including the treatment characteristics and the measures employed. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while performing cognitive tasks to pinpoint brain areas in which there is excessive or inadequate activity. The person is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can address these problems that may be contributing ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy strategies include the use of interpersonal therapy to improve the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behaviors that can create problems at school or work.
In certain situations, psychotherapy can be used in conjunction with medication for adults adhd treatment. People with comorbid conditions like bipolar disorder, and substance abuse should be evaluated with care to ensure they do not have symptoms that are not ameliorated by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history or seizures, need to be treated more aggressively.
If ADHD is severe enough to interfere with daily functioning and quality-of-life intensive outpatient programs might be recommended. These programs offer an organized treatment that is more intensive than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD enhance their ability to manage time, impulse control, executive function, and planning. It helps them understand and express feelings and uses activities and worksheets to make the lessons engaging. Mindfulness meditation training improves CBT, and it improves a person's ability to focus and control their emotions. It also increases a person's ability to tolerate stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with anger, sadness, and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD often report difficulty functioning at home and at work. These symptoms can also affect relationships and lead to financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues will allow you improve your self-esteem and address the root of the issue. It can also assist you in developing healthy coping methods.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults with ADHD, as it helps them change their negative beliefs and behaviors. In particular, it concentrates on teaching you to utilize strategies for managing time and overcoming mental distortions that lead to negative moods and a perception of limited choices.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from anxiety or depression. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or decrease the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbidity first and observe the response to treatment before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you learn how to manage your life and work, establish routines that are predictable, manage time and money, and create a positive self-image. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that can reduce your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Additionally, yoga and other exercise can help you improve your focus by ensuring your body is stable in various poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can assist adults suffering from ADHD to resolve the issues they create for their children, spouses and friends. They frequently complain that they are insecure, unorganized, and prone to making impulsive decisions. You can strengthen relationships by educating your spouses and family members about ADHD. Moreover it can aid you and your loved ones understand that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD instead of the lack of compassion or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is very prevalent. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. A wide range of medications are available for adults suffering from ADHD, and some of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and limitations of the various medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD have the same symptoms as children, but it can be difficult to identify them since childhood symptoms may not persist throughout adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD may also not have an ancestral history of the disorder, or may not be aware of symptoms. A thorough medical history is important to help determine whether the symptoms are due to a medical condition such as thyroid issues, sleep apnea, hearing and vision problems or lead poisoning.
Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD and their response rates are within the 70-80 percent range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal device. This allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.
Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that work on norepinephrine and dopamine. adhd in adults symptoms and treatment is one of the most studied tricyclic and has been shown to be effective in adult patients with ADHD. It is a low dose medication that is recommended to be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is noticed.
Bupropion XL is another antidepressant that has been shown to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake at the presynaptic transportationer, increasing its availability in brain. This drug is known to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity but it's not as effective in improving concentration or cognitive function as stimulants.