ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurological disorder that affects around 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression and addiction to drugs, as well as significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most commonly prescribed medications are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people with ADHD have seen significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning in response to medications. Because of the different ways that people react to medications, it is essential for those with ADHD to discover a combination that is effective.
Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants like amphetamines or methylphenidate. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form and can be taken as often as every three to four hours. Some adults can supplement their immediate-release dose with an extended-release or longer-acting drug that is taken daily to decrease the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been proven to be effective in treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of medications can be employed together with stimulants or alone to enhance their effects. They may also increase the danger of serious side effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, have a calming effect and can increase focus and reduce the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among certain adults. However, these medications could cause a drop in blood pressure if they are abruptly removed or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults with ADHD. Individual talk therapy can help them cope with feelings of shame and embarrassment about their ADHD, as well as anger toward supervisors, colleagues teachers, and family members who may nag or criticize them. Additionally counseling for adhd in adults symptoms and treatment and families can help couples with ADHD be able to recognize each other's challenges and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to impart strategies and techniques that enhance performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help people with ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the sense of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavior therapy, assists people to change negative thoughts and emotions that are causing difficulties in their lives. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has been found to be effective in treating a variety of disorders, including depression and anxiety. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or by itself.
CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for those suffering from ADHD as it allows them to meet others who face similar challenges and discover how they deal with their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to the standard treatment for adults who have ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report measures like symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
CBT has been studied in comparison to other psychosocial treatments in adults with ADHD. All of these studies demonstrate significant reductions in ADHD symptoms and effects, with sizes between medium and large. These improvements were linked to various modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is warranted when comparing the effectiveness of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is likely that differences in outcomes results are due to a range of factors, including the treatment features and the methods employed. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to identify areas of the brain where there is too much or too little activity. Then, teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues, which could be contributing to the ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy strategies include interpersonal therapy to enhance 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 behaviors that could create problems at work or school.
In certain cases psychotherapy is sometimes used in combination with medication for adults adhd treatment. People with comorbid disorders such as depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder need to be assessed to ensure their symptoms aren't aggravated by the medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history or seizures, need to be treated more aggressively.
When ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with daily functioning and quality-of-life, intensive outpatient programs may be recommended. These programs provide structured treatment that is more intense than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, organizing, and executive function. It helps them understand and express their emotions and employs worksheets and exercises to make the lessons more engaging. Mindfulness meditation training improves CBT and enhances a person's ability to focus and regulate their emotions. It also increases a person's capacity to manage anxiety and stress. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other emotions that 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 issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help boost your self-esteem, solve the root of your issue and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps you change your negative beliefs and behavior. It concentrates on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions that can cause negative moods, and the perception of limited choices.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from anxiety or depression. These psychiatric conditions can cause or reduce the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and observe its response to medication before proceeding to treatment of the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you learn ways to organize your life and work, establish predictable routines, manage time and money and build an optimistic self-image. It can help you learn ways to relax that could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Additionally yoga and other exercises can help you improve your focus by stabilizing your body in different poses.
Family and marriage counseling can address the problems that adults with ADHD often create for their spouses, children and other family members. 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 build better relationships. It can also help you and your family members realize that the issues are due to ADHD instead of a lack in caring or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is often associated with other disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatment options. There are many medications available for adults with ADHD. Some of these medications have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of the medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children do, but it can be difficult to determine since childhood symptoms may not last into adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their family or may not be aware of experiencing symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to determine if the symptoms are caused by medical conditions like thyroid problems or sleep apnea, issues with vision and hearing or lead poisoning.
Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants have the highest response rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness vary between 70 and 80percent. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be administered via a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.
Nonstimulant drugs for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that target dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has been shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medicine and should be increased by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, was shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and works by blocking the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic transporter, thereby increasing its presence in the brain. The drug is known to boost mood in adults and decrease hyperactivity, but it's not as effective in improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.