ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. It is accompanied with a high rate of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety and addiction to drugs, and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Medications and psychotherapy are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people with ADHD have seen significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning in response to medication. Due to the many different ways that people react to medications, it is crucial for people with ADHD to discover a combination that works best.
Adults with 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 can supplement their immediate-release medication with an extended-release, long-acting medicine every week to lessen the necessity to take it frequently throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD are also treated effectively with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of drugs may be utilized in conjunction with stimulants, or on their own to boost their effects. However, they can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects like rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as alprazolam and clonidine can also be used for the treatment of people suffering from ADHD. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and can improve focus, and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in certain adults. However, these medications could cause a very low blood pressure if they are suddenly removed or reduced in dosage.
Adults with ADHD may also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help those with ADHD deal with feelings of shame, embarrassment and resentment against coworkers, supervisors, teachers and family members who may criticize or nag them. Family and marriage counseling is also a great way to help couples suffering from ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve their 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 who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and feeling of failure that is often associated with this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives. It also helps to learn new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as doing. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating many illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies or by itself.
CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is especially beneficial for those suffering from ADHD because it enables them to meet others who have similar struggles and discover how they deal with their ADHD symptoms. It can be offered in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to standard therapy for adults who have ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report measures like symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
Numerous studies have evaluated CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect size. These improvements were associated with various modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy and social skills training. problem solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
It is crucial to evaluate the efficacy between different treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that the differences in outcomes results result from a variety of factors, such as treatment features and the methods used. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, an approach that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to identify areas in the brain where there is too much or too little activity. Then, instructing 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 may be contributing ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy methods that can aid in improving the ability of individuals to resolve conflicts and build lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to change negative behavior and assist in reducing self-destructive and impulsive behavior that can cause problems at work or school.
In certain cases psychotherapy may be utilized as an adjunct to the medication used for adhd treatment for adults. People with comorbid conditions like bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs need to be evaluated carefully to ensure they do not suffer from symptoms that aren't ameliorated by the medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history or seizures, must be treated with more vigor.
When ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs could be recommended. These programs offer more intensive and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a type of cognitive therapy, aids people with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive function. It helps them understand and express emotions and utilizes worksheets and activities to make the lessons interesting. Meditation training that is mindful enhances CBT and enhances a person's ability to focus and regulate 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 difficult feelings that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD often report difficulty functioning at home and at work. These issues can also impact relationships and lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you boost your self-esteem, solve underlying problems and establish healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches you how to modify your negative beliefs and behavior. In particular, it is focused on teaching you how to use strategies to manage your time and eliminate the distortions in your thinking that cause negative moods and perceptions of a limited selection.
Many adults with ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or increase the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and observe its response to medication prior to attempting treatment for the other condition.
Occupational therapy can teach you ways to organize your life and your work, establish predictable routines, manage time and money and build an optimistic self-image. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that can decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other workouts can help you concentration by stabilizing your body in various poses.
Family and marriage counseling can address the problems that adults with ADHD often cause their children, spouses, and other family members. They frequently complain of being unstable, unorganized, forgetful and often prone to making impulsive choices. Therapy and classes where spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you build more harmonious relationships. It can aid you and your family members realize that the problem is caused by ADHD, rather than a lack in caring or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is extremely prevalent. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatments. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD and a few of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the advantages and drawbacks of the drugs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have the same symptoms as children, however it isn't always easy to identify them since childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their family or may not be aware of experiencing symptoms. It is crucial to take a thorough medical history to determine whether the symptoms are related to an illness like thyroid issues or sleep apnea, and vision issues.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants are the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80% range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant drugs for adults with ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants which work on dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic, and has been proven to be effective in adult patients suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose medication and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.
psychological treatment for adhd in adults is another antidepressant which has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter, increasing its availability in brain. This drug has been found to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults, but it is not as effective as stimulants in improving concentration or cognitive function.
