ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, substance abuse) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Both psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medications
Many people with ADHD have seen significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning in response to medications. It is important that people with ADHD discover the right combination of medications that works for them.
Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed medications for adults with ADHD. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Adults can augment an immediate-release medication with an extended-release long-acting medication every week to decrease the requirement to take it often throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can be treated successfully with antidepressants such as desipramine. This class of medications can be used on its own or in conjunction with stimulants to boost their effects. However, they may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects like a rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam and clonidine can also be used to treat adults with ADHD. These drugs were initially developed to treat hypertension. They are calming and may improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in certain adults. However, these drugs can cause a very low blood pressure when they are abruptly cut off or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy is also useful for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy helps people overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment and resentment toward coworkers, teachers, supervisors, and family members that may criticize or nag them. In addition, marriage and family counseling can help couples with ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to teach skills and strategies that improve functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can also help people who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and sense of inadequacy that can be a result of 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 behave. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating various illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or on its own.
CBT could include group therapy, which is particularly helpful for adults with ADHD because it gives the chance to connect with others who are facing similar issues and learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be offered in person or by phone. One study examined the effects of CBT in comparison to standard therapy for adults with 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 all show significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect size. These improvements were associated with a variety modalities including cognitive and interpersonal therapy and social skills training. problem solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is required in comparing the effectiveness of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is likely that the differences in the outcomes are due to a variety of factors, including the treatment characteristics and measures employed. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, an approach that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while performing cognitive tasks to identify areas of the brain where there is too much or too little activity - and then instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues that may be contributing ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to enhance a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control self-destructive, impulsive, and negative behavior that can create problems at school or work.
In certain cases psychotherapy may be utilized in conjunction with medications for adults adhd treatment. Patients suffering from co-occurring disorders like substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder must be assessed to ensure that their symptoms aren't aggravated through the use of medications to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, need to be treated with more vigor.
Intensive outpatient programs might be recommended if the person's ADHD is so severe that it affects their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide more thorough and structured treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD improve their abilities to manage time and impulse control, executive function, and planning. It helps them understand and express their emotions and uses worksheets and activities to make the learning more interesting. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT and improves a person's ability to focus and manage their emotions. It also increases a person's ability to handle the effects of stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with anger, sadness and other emotions that may be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. In addition to affecting their work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and could result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you improve your self-esteem, resolve the root causes of your issues and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and helps them to alter their negative attitudes and behavior. Particularly, it is focused on teaching you how to employ strategies for managing time and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that cause negative moods and a perception of a limited range of choices.
Many people with ADHD also have comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or increase the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbidity first and observe the effect of medication before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life by establishing predictable routines that help you manage your time and money and build an optimistic image of yourself. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that may reduce your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Additionally yoga and other exercises can help you focus better by ensuring your body is stable in different postures.
Counseling for families and marriage can help address the issues that people with ADHD often create for their spouses, children and their families. online adhd treatment for adults complain of being insecure, unorganized, and prone to making impulsive decisions. Therapy and classes where spouses and other family members are educated on ADHD can help you develop healthier relationships. Moreover it can help you and your loved ones understand that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD rather than an absence of care or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is highly frequent. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. There are many treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been tested in studies. These studies have highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the drugs.
Adults with ADHD have the same symptoms as children, but it can be difficult to diagnose them because childhood symptoms may not persist until adulthood. Adults with ADHD may not have an ancestral history of the disorder, or might not remember the symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to help determine whether the symptoms are caused by an illness like thyroid problems, sleep apnea, hearing and vision problems or lead poisoning.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants have the highest reaction rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their response rates range between 70 and 70% to 80%. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate may also be administered via a transdermal device. This permits continuous medication delivery during the daytime.
Adults with ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine is the most studied tricyclic drug and has been proven to be effective in adult patients suffering from ADHD. It is a medication with a low dose that should be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is seen.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant that has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist and blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its use in the brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults, but it is not as effective as stimulants in improving concentration or cognitive function.