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 levels of co-morbidity (depression, anxiety, substance abuse) and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Both medication and psychotherapy are effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning due to medications. Due to the many different ways that people react to medications, it is crucial for people with ADHD to find a combination that is effective.
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most frequently prescribed medications for adults with ADHD. These stimulants are available as tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Adults can supplement their immediate-release medicine with an extended-release long-acting medicine at least every week to decrease the need to take it frequently throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can be treated effectively with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of drugs may be employed in conjunction with stimulants, or in isolation to boost 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 suffering from ADHD. These drugs were initially developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming affect and can help improve focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in certain adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is reduced.
Adults with ADHD are also able to benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy helps them to overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment and resentment toward coworkers, supervisors, teachers, and family members that might nitpick or criticize them. Additionally counseling for marriage and families can help couples with ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can help people with ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the sense of failure they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy, assists people in changing their negative thoughts and feelings that cause difficulties in their lives. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or on its own.
CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD as it allows them to connect with others who face similar challenges and discover how they deal with their ADHD symptoms. It can be offered in person or via phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults with ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report indicators like symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
Several studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD and have all shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect size. These improvements were linked to a variety modalities including interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy and social skills training. problem solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is warranted in comparing the effectiveness of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is likely that the variations in the outcomes are due to a variety of variables, including treatment characteristics, measures employed as well as the backgrounds of the patients. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This method involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while performing cognitive tasks in order to pinpoint brain areas in which there is a lack or excess of activity. The person is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these problems, which may be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy strategies include interpersonal therapy to enhance the capacity of individuals to establish meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to change negative behavior and help manage self-destructive and impulsive behavior that can lead to problems at school or work.
In some cases, psychotherapy can be used in conjunction with medication for adults who are seeking treatment for adhd. People with comorbid conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder and substance abuse must be assessed carefully to make sure they don't suffer from symptoms that aren't improved by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and an history of seizures need to be treated more aggressively because they are at a higher risk for complications from the medication.
When ADHD is serious enough to affect everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs might be recommended. These programs offer more intensive and structured treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD enhance their ability to manage time and impulse control, organizing, and executive function. It helps them understand and express their emotions and uses exercises and worksheets to make the learning interesting. Meditation training that is mindful enhances CBT and improves a person's ability to focus and manage their emotions. It also increases a person's ability to tolerate anxiety and stress. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other difficult feelings which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. In addition to impacting work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and could result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you build confidence in yourself and resolve underlying problems. It will also assist you in developing healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps you change your negative thoughts and behaviors. It concentrates on teaching you to use strategies to manage your time and eliminate mental distortions that lead to negative moods and perceptions of limited choices.
Many adults with ADHD also suffer from depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or reduce the effectiveness of some drugs used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe comorbidity first and then monitor the effect of medication prior to attempting treatment for the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your life and work, establish predictable routines to control your time and money and create confidence in yourself. best treatment for adhd in adults can also help you master relaxation techniques that can reduce your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can help you focus 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 create for their children, spouses and friends. They frequently complain of being unstable, unorganized, forgetful and often prone to making impulsive choices. You can build stronger relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. Moreover it can aid you and your loved ones understand that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD rather than to the lack of compassion or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly common neurobiological disorder. It is often accompanied by comorbid conditions such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medication interventions. There are a variety of medications available for adults suffering from ADHD and some of them have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the advantages and drawbacks of the medication.
Adults who suffer from ADHD may experience the same symptoms as children do, but it can be difficult to identify because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. Adults who suffer from ADHD may also not have any family history of the disorder or may not be aware of symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to help determine whether the symptoms are due to medical conditions such as thyroid issues or sleep apnea, issues with vision and hearing or lead poisoning.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants have the highest reaction rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness range between 70 and 80%. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate may also be administered through a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.
Nonstimulant drugs for adults with ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants that target norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic drug and has been proven to be effective in adult patients suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose medication and should be increased by 50 mg every seven days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL is another antidepressant that has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic cellular transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults. However, it is not as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving cognitive performance or concentration.