ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. It is accompanied with high rates of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Medications and psychotherapy are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most commonly prescribed medications are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people with ADHD have seen significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning when they take medication. It is essential that those suffering from ADHD find the combination of medication that works for them.
Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants, such as methylphenidate or amphetamines. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid forms and can be taken as often as every three to four hours. Some adults supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or longer-acting drug taken once a day to lessen the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Desipramine and other antidepressants have also been found to be effective in the treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of drugs can be used alone or in combination with stimulants to enhance their effects. However, they can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, such as an increased heart rate, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam as well as clonidine are used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. adhd treatment for adults without medication were originally developed to treat hypertension. adhd treatment for adults without medication are calming and can improve focus, and reduce the amount of hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. However, these medications could result in a drop in blood pressure if they are suddenly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them deal with feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment towards co-workers and teachers, supervisors and family members who may criticize or nag them. Marriage and family counseling is also a great way to help couples with ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and feeling of inadequacy that can be a result of this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy, assists people in changing 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 type of psychotherapy has been found to be effective for many conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be utilized in conjunction with other treatments or alone.
CBT can include group therapy. This is especially beneficial for adults with ADHD because it enables them to connect with other people who are facing similar issues and learn about how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to standard therapy for adults who have ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures like symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
Numerous studies have evaluated 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 sizes. These improvements were attributed to diverse modalities like cognitive and interpersonal therapy, social skills training, problem solving training, as well as mindfulness meditation.
It is important to compare the efficacy between different treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that variations in the outcomes reflect a number of variables that include the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used, and patient backgrounds. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while doing 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 suffering from ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help to address these issues, which may be contributing to the ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy methods that can help improve a person’s ability to manage conflicts and create lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to transform negative behaviors and help manage self-destructive and impulsive behavior that can lead to problems at school or work.
In some instances psychotherapy may be used as an alternative to medications for adult ADHD treatment for adults. Patients with comorbid disorders such as bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs should be evaluated with care to ensure that they do not have symptoms that are not ameliorated by the medications used to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and an history of seizures have to be treated more aggressively as they are at a higher risk of developing complications from the medications.
When ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs could be recommended. These programs offer more thorough and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD enhance their ability to manage their time and impulse control, as well as organizing, and executive function. It helps them recognize and express their feelings. It utilizes worksheets and activities to make the lessons more interesting. The practice of mindfulness meditation improves CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to focus and regulate emotions. It also enhances an individual's ability to tolerate stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with anger, sadness and other difficult emotions which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. These symptoms can also affect relationships and lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you increase self-esteem, address the root causes of your issues and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral Therapy is a great treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches you how to change your negative beliefs and behaviors. In particular, it is focused on teaching you how to use strategies to manage your time and eliminate thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and a perception of a limited selection.
Many people suffering from ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or decrease the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. It is recommended to first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then monitor its response to the medication before treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your life and work and establish routines that are predictable that help you manage your money and time and build a positive image of yourself. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that may reduce your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other workouts can help you concentration 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 cause their children, spouses and other family members. They often complain about being unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and prone to making impulsive decisions. Classes and therapy in which spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you establish healthier relationships. It can help you and your family members understand that the issues are caused by ADHD instead of a lack in caring or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is often accompanied by comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medication 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 weaknesses of the medication.
Adults who suffer from ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children do, but it is difficult to identify because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. Adults with ADHD may also not have an ancestral history of the disorder, or may not be aware of symptoms. It is important to have a thorough medical history to determine whether the symptoms are related to an illness such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea or hearing and vision problems.
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 percentage range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also accessible in a transdermal system that allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant drugs for adults with ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants which work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been proven to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose drug and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant that 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. The drug is known to improve the mood of adults and reduce hyperactivity, but it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive function as stimulants.