ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. It is accompanied with a high rate of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression and addiction to drugs, and significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. online adhd treatment for adults prescribed medications are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning in response to medication. Due to the many different ways that people respond to medication, it is essential for those with ADHD to discover a combination that is most effective.
Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants like amphetamines and methylphenidate. They are available in liquid or tablet form in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. Adults may supplement an immediate-release medication with an extended-release long-acting medication once a week to reduce the need to take it frequently throughout the day.
Antidepressants such as desipramine have also been found to be effective in the treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of drugs may be employed together with stimulants or alone to enhance their effects. However, they may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, such as an increased heart rate, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like alprazolam and clonidine can also be used to treat adults with ADHD. These drugs, initially developed to treat high blood pressure, can have the ability to calm and increase focus and reduce the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in certain adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is reduced.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. how to get treated for adhd in adults helps those with ADHD overcome feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment against coworkers, supervisors, teachers, and family members that might criticize or nag them. Additionally counseling for marriage and families can help couples with ADHD be able to recognize each other's challenges and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD aims to improve daily functioning by teaching strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also aid those who suffer from ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and feeling of failure that is often associated with this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists individuals in changing the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives. It also helps to discover new ways of thinking, feeling and doing. This short-term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT can include group therapy. This is especially beneficial for those suffering from ADHD because it allows them to connect with others who have similar struggles and learn about how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or by phone. In one study, CBT was compared to the standard treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report measures like symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
Several 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 attributed to various modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy as well as social skills training, problem solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is advised in comparing the effectiveness of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is possible that the differences in outcome results depend on a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics, measures employed and the background of the patient. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing a hat with electrodes while doing cognitive tasks to determine brain regions where there is excessive or inadequate activity. The individual then learns to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues, which may be contributing to the ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to improve the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behavior that can cause difficulties at school or at work.
In certain cases, psychotherapy is used as an adjunct to medication for adult adhd treatment for adults. Patients with comorbid disorders like bipolar disorder, and substance abuse need to be evaluated carefully to ensure that they do not have symptoms that are not improved by the medication that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, should be treated more aggressively.
In-depth outpatient programs could be recommended when the person's ADHD is so severe that it affects their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer an organized treatment that is more intense than traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD improve their abilities to manage their time and impulse control, as well as organizing, and executive function. It helps them identify and express their feelings. It utilizes worksheets and activities to make the lessons more interesting. The training in mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and enhances the capacity of a person's ability to concentrate and manage emotions. It increases the capacity of a person's ability to handle anxiety and stress. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger, and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. These issues can also impact relationships and lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help increase self-esteem, address underlying problems and develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps you change your negative beliefs and behaviors. It is focused on teaching you how to utilize strategies for managing time and overcoming mental distortions that lead to negative moods and a perception of limited choices.
Many adults with ADHD also have comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric disorders can reduce or exacerbate the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and observe the response to treatment before proceeding to treatment of the other condition.
Occupational therapy can teach you how to manage your life and work, create routines that are predictable, manage time and money, and create confidence in yourself. It will also help you learn relaxation techniques that can decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other workouts can aid in improving your concentration by ensuring your body is stable in different poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can help adults with ADHD to solve the problems they create for their children, spouses and others. They often complain about being unstable, unorganized, forgetful and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. Therapy and classes 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 problems are caused by ADHD instead of the lack of care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is highly frequent. It is often accompanied by co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication treatments are available as treatment options. A variety of medications are available for adults suffering from ADHD and a few of them have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the advantages and drawbacks of the medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD have the same symptoms as children, but it can be difficult to identify them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist throughout adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD may not have a history of the disorder in their family or they may not even remember experiencing symptoms. It is crucial to take a thorough medical history to determine whether the symptoms are related to an illness such as thyroid problems or sleep apnea, and vision issues.
Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and other non-stimulant medications. The stimulants have the highest response rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their responsiveness rates range from 70% to 80percent. The most frequently used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal device. This allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that are based on norepinephrine, or dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. 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.
Bupropion XL is a second antidepressant that has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and is able to block the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic transporter, thereby increasing its presence in the brain. The drug is known to improve the mood of adults and decrease hyperactivity, but it's not as effective at improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.