ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common condition of the nervous system that affects 44% of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety and addiction to drugs, and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are among the most frequently prescribed drugs.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning in response to medication. It is crucial that people suffering from ADHD find the combination of medication that works for them.
Stimulants, like methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most frequently prescribed medications for adults with 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. Some adults can supplement their immediate-release dose with an extended-release or longer-acting drug used once per day to reduce the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated successfully with antidepressants such as desipramine. This class of medications can be utilized in conjunction with stimulants, or alone to enhance their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious side consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as alprazolam and clonidine are also utilized to treat people suffering from ADHD. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, possess a calming effect and can improve focus and decrease the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in certain adults. However, these drugs can result in a drop in blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help them cope with feelings of shame and embarrassment over their ADHD, as well as anger toward supervisors, colleagues teachers, and family members who may nag or criticize them. Family and marriage counseling can be a great option to help couples suffering from ADHD to better understand each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD aims to improve daily functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. 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) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives. It also helps to discover new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as doing. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has been found to be effective for many conditions including anxiety and depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with other treatments or on its own.
CBT can include group therapy. untreated adhd in adults depression is especially beneficial for those suffering from ADHD because it allows them to connect with other people who face similar challenges and learn how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or over the phone. One study examined the effects of CBT with that of conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and discovered that both treatments resulted in improvement in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms and quality of life.
Several studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD, and all show 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 as well as social skills training, problem solving training, and mindfulness mediation.
However, caution is warranted in comparing the efficacy of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is possible that the differences in the results of treatment result from a variety of factors, including the treatment characteristics and the measures employed. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while performing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas of the brain where there is too much or too little activity. Then, instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues that may be contributing ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy strategies include the use of interpersonal therapy to improve a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control self-destructive, impulsive and negative behaviors that can cause problems at school or work.
In some cases psychotherapy may be utilized in combination with medication for adults who are seeking treatment for adhd. Patients with comorbid disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs should be evaluated with care to ensure that they do not have symptoms that cannot be ameliorated by the medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history or seizures, should be treated with more vigor.
Intensive outpatient programs might be suggested if the individual's ADHD is so severe that it significantly hinders their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide structured therapy that is more intense than traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a type of cognitive therapy, assists adults with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive functioning. It helps them understand and express emotions and uses worksheets and activities to make the lessons engaging. what happens if adhd is left untreated in adults in mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to concentrate and manage emotions. It enhances the capacity of a person to tolerate stress and arousal. It can help them deal with anger, sadness and other difficult emotions which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. These symptoms can also affect relationships and cause financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help increase self-esteem, address underlying problems and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps you modify your negative thoughts and behaviors. It concentrates on teaching time management techniques and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that can cause negative moods, and the perception of a limited number of options.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or reduce the effectiveness of certain treatments for ADHD. It is recommended that you first treat the most severe comorbidity and then monitor its response to the medication prior to treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you learn how to manage your life and your work, establish predictable routines, manage money and time and develop confidence in yourself. It can help you master ways to relax that could reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other workouts can aid in improving your focus by ensuring your body is stable in various postures.
Marriage and family counseling can help address the issues that people with ADHD frequently create for their spouses, children and others. They often complain about 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 also help you and your family members realize that the issues are due to ADHD, rather than an inability to care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a frequent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders. The use of medication and psychosocial interventions is available as treatment options. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD. Some of these medications have been tested in trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and limitations of the medications.
Adults with ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, but it isn't always easy to diagnose them because childhood symptoms might not last until adulthood. Adults who suffer from ADHD might not have an ancestral history of the disorder, or may not remember symptoms. It is crucial to take a thorough medical history to determine whether the symptoms are due to a medical condition, such as thyroid problems or sleep apnea, and vision issues.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. The stimulants have the highest response rates for adults suffering from ADHD. Their responsiveness rates range from 70% to 80percent. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be found in a transdermal system, which allows for a continuous supply of medication throughout the day.
Nonstimulant drugs for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that work on dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine, which is 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 seven days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, was shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that works by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic transporter, thereby increasing its availability in the brain. This drug has been found to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults, however it is not as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving cognitive performance or concentration.