ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known disorder of the nervous system that affects around 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, and addiction to drugs) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Both psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are among the most frequently prescribed drugs.
Medications
Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning in response to medication. It is essential that those suffering from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that is effective for them.
Stimulants, like amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. These stimulants are available as liquid or tablet form in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Adults can augment an immediate-release medicine with an extended-release long-acting medicine at least every week to lessen the necessity to take it regularly throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated successfully with antidepressants such as desipramine. This class of drugs may be employed in conjunction with stimulants or alone to enhance their effects. However, they could increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, such as rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They have a calming affect and can improve focus, and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in some adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure when they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is reduced.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults with ADHD. Individual talk therapy helps them overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment and resentment towards co-workers and teachers, supervisors, and family members that may criticize or nag them. Marriage and family counseling can be a great option to help couples suffering from ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD overcome low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy that can be a result of this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists individuals in changing the negative thoughts that create difficulties in their lives and to learn new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term and goal-oriented therapy has been proven effective in treating various illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used by itself or in conjunction with other treatments.
CBT can include group therapy, which can be particularly beneficial for people with ADHD because it gives the opportunity to interact with other people with similar challenges and to learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or via the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to the standard treatment for adults who have ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures like symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
Several studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for people with ADHD and have all shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect size. These improvements were attributed to various modalities such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving, and mindfulness meditation.
It is important to compare the effectiveness of various treatments for adults with ADHD with caution. It is possible that the differences in the outcomes are due to a variety of factors, including the treatment characteristics and measures employed. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This method involves wearing a hat with electrodes while performing cognitive tasks to pinpoint brain areas in which there is a lack or excess of activity. online adhd treatment for adults learns to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can address these problems which may be causing ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include interpersonal therapy to enhance a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage self-destructive, impulsive and negative behaviors that can cause problems at work or school.
In some cases psychotherapy may be utilized as an adjunct to the medication used for ADHD treatment for adults. Patients with multiple disorders like substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder must be assessed to ensure their symptoms aren't aggravated by the medications used to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, must be treated more aggressively as they are at higher risk for complications from the medication.
If ADHD is severe enough to interfere with daily functioning and quality-of-life, intensive outpatient programs may be suggested. These programs offer structured treatment that is more intense than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD improve their abilities to manage their time, impulse control, planning, and executive function. It helps them recognize and express their emotions and employs worksheets and exercises to make the learning more engaging. Meditation training that is mindful enhances CBT and enhances a person's ability to focus and manage their emotions. It also increases a person's ability to tolerate the effects of stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other emotional issues 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 can lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues will allow you build confidence in yourself and resolve underlying problems. It will also assist you in developing healthy coping methods.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults with ADHD and helps them change their negative attitudes and behaviors. It focuses on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions which can lead to negative moods and the perception of a limited number of possibilities.
Many adults with ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or decrease the effectiveness of certain medications 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 disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your life and work, establish predictable routines, manage your money and time and build confidence in yourself. It can help you master techniques for relaxation that can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing your body in various poses.
Family and marriage counseling can help address the issues that people with ADHD frequently cause their spouses, children and their families. They frequently complain of being undependable and unorganized. They often forget things or make impulsive decisions. Classes and therapy in which spouses and other family members are educated on ADHD can help you develop more harmonious relationships. Additionally, it can help you and your loved ones understand that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD rather than the lack of compassion or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly common neurobiological disorder. It is often accompanied by other disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. There are a variety of medication options for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been tested in trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and weaknesses of the medication.
Adults with ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, but it can be difficult to diagnose them because childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder in their family or they may not even remember experiencing symptoms. A thorough medical history is necessary to help determine whether the symptoms are caused by an illness like thyroid problems, sleep apnea, issues with vision and hearing or lead poisoning.
Treatments for adults suffering from ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and other non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective drugs for treating adults with ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80 percent range. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also accessible in a transdermal system, which allows for a continuous supply of medication throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants which work on dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine, which is 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 observed.
Bupropion XL another antidepressant, was shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and blocks the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its availability in the brain. This drug is known to improve the mood of adults and decrease hyperactivity, but it's not as effective in improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.