ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4% of the general population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity. This includes depression, anxiety and substance abuse and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people who suffer from ADHD report significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning in response to medication. It is important that people who suffer from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that works for them.
Stimulants, including amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid forms and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Some adults supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medication that is taken daily to decrease the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Desipramine and other antidepressants have also been found to be effective in treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of drugs can be used by itself or in conjunction with stimulants to enhance their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious side effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like alprazolam as well as clonidine are utilized to treat people suffering from ADHD. These drugs, initially developed to treat high blood pressure, have the ability to calm and improve focus and decrease the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in certain adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure when they are suddenly stopped, or the dosage is reduced.
Adults with ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them cope with feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD, as well as resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, and family members who might nag or criticize them. Additionally counseling for families and marriages can help couples suffering from ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also aid those who suffer from ADHD overcome low self-esteem and feeling of failure that often accompanies this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavioral therapy, helps people change their negative thoughts and feelings that are causing problems in their life. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented form 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 treatments or on its own.
CBT could involve group therapy, which can be especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD because it gives the chance to connect with others with similar challenges and to discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered 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 improvements in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD and have all shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect size. These improvements were associated with diverse approaches, including interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving training and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is warranted in comparing the efficacy of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is possible that the differences in outcome results reflect a number of variables, including treatment characteristics, measures used and the background of the patient. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This method involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while doing cognitive tasks to pinpoint brain areas in which there is a lack or excess of activity. The individual is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD also suffer from comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues that may be contributing ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include the use of interpersonal therapy to improve a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to change negative behavior and assist in managing self-destructive and impulsive behavior that can cause problems at school or at work.
In some instances psychotherapy can be used as an alternative to medications for adult ADHD treatment for adults. Patients with comorbid disorders like bipolar disorder and substance abuse need to be evaluated carefully to ensure they do not have symptoms that are not improved by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and seizures in the past, have to be treated more aggressively as they are more at risk of complications from medications.
If ADHD is severe enough to interfere with the quality of life and daily functioning, intensive outpatient programs may be recommended. These programs offer an organized treatment that is more intensive than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of cognitive therapy, assists people with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive function. It helps them understand and express their feelings and employs worksheets and exercises to make the lessons more interesting. Mindfulness meditation training improves CBT and improves a person's ability to focus and control their emotions. It also enhances an individual's ability to handle stress and arousal. It can help them deal with anger, sadness and other difficult emotions that could be causing their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. These issues can also impact relationships and lead to financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues will allow you to improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It can also help you develop healthy coping methods.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults with ADHD because it teaches you how to change your negative beliefs and behaviors. It focuses on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that can lead to negative moods and the perception of limited choices.
Many people suffering from ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or increase the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and then monitor its response to medication before proceeding to treatment of the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your life and work by establishing predictable routines that help you manage your time and money and build an optimistic image of yourself. It can help you learn relaxation methods that may reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can help you improve concentration by stabilizing your body during various poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can assist adults suffering from ADHD to overcome the problems they cause their children, spouses and friends. They often complain of being unreliable and disorganized. They also tend to forget things or make decisions impulsively. You can strengthen your relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. Moreover, it can help you and your loved ones understand that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD instead of a lack of caring or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly frequent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity. This includes 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. Some of these medications have been tested in studies. These studies have revealed the advantages and drawbacks of the medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children do, but it can be difficult to diagnose because childhood symptoms might not persist in adulthood. In first line treatment for adhd in adults , adults with ADHD may not have a history of the disorder in their families or they may not even remember experiencing symptoms. It is essential to take a thorough medical history to determine whether the symptoms are due to an illness, such as thyroid problems such as sleep apnea, sleep apnea and vision problems.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. The stimulants have the highest response rates for adults suffering from ADHD. Their response rates range from 70% to 80percent. The most frequently used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate can also be found in a transdermal system, which allows for a continuous supply of medication throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can take non-stimulant drugs that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has been shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low-dose medication that should be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is seen.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, has been shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that works by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transportation system, thus increasing its use in the brain. The drug is known to improve the mood of adults and reduce hyperactivity, but it's not as effective in improving concentration or cognitive function as stimulants.