ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurological disorder that affects around 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, substance abuse) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Both medication and psychotherapy are effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medications
Many people with ADHD experience significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning due to medication. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD find the combination of medications that works for them.
Stimulants, like methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most commonly prescribed medications for adults with ADHD. These stimulants are available in tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. Some adults may supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medication that is taken daily to reduce the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Antidepressants such as desipramine have also been found to be effective in treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of drugs can be used alone or in conjunction with stimulants to boost their effects. They can also increase the danger of serious side consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as alprazolam as well as clonidine are utilized to treat adults with ADHD. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They have a calming affect and can help improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in some adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure when they are suddenly stopped, or the dosage is reduced.
Adults with ADHD are also able to benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them deal with feelings of shame and embarrassment over their ADHD, as well as resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, family members and others who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. In addition, marriage and family counseling can help couples with ADHD understand each other's problems and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
The primary goal of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to help people learn skills and strategies that improve function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can also aid those who suffer from ADHD overcome low self-esteem and feeling of failure that often accompanies this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that cause difficulties in their lives and to learn new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as doing. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating various illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used by itself or in combination with other therapies.
CBT may involve group therapy, which is particularly helpful for adults with ADHD as it offers the chance to connect with others with similar challenges and to learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or over the phone. One study compared the results of CBT in comparison to traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvement in self-report assessments of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
CBT has been studied in comparison to other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes ranging from medium to large. These improvements were associated with a variety of modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving exercises and mindfulness meditation.
It is important to compare the effectiveness of different treatments for adult ADHD with caution. It is likely that the differences in the outcomes are due to a variety of factors, such as treatment characteristics and the measures used. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, an approach that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to determine areas in the brain that there is too much or little activity, and instructing the person to manage these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can address these problems which may be causing ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy strategies include interpersonal therapy to improve the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to change negative behavior and assist in reducing self-destructive and impulsive behaviors that can cause problems at work or school.
In certain cases, psychotherapy is utilized as an adjunct to the medication used for ADHD treatment for adults. People with co-occurring disorders like depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder should be assessed to ensure their symptoms aren't made worse by the medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, need to be treated more aggressively.
If ADHD is serious enough to affect daily functioning and quality-of-life, intensive outpatient programs may be suggested. These programs provide an organized treatment that is more intense than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of cognitive therapy, aids adults with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive function. It helps them understand and express their feelings and employs worksheets and exercises to make the lessons more interesting. The training in mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and improves the ability of a person to concentrate and manage emotions. It also enhances an individual's ability to tolerate anxiety and stress. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that may be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting their work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and can result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you build confidence in yourself and solve the underlying issues. It will also assist you in developing healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults with ADHD because it teaches them how to change their negative thoughts and behaviours. It is focused on teaching you how to employ strategies to manage your time and eliminate thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and the perception of limited choices.
Many people with ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric disorders can reduce or exacerbate the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. It is recommended to first treat the most severe comorbidity and then monitor its response to the medication prior to 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 time and money and create confidence in yourself. It can also help you learn ways to relax that could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other workouts can aid in improving your focus by ensuring your body is stable in various poses.
Family and marriage counseling can help adults with ADHD to solve the problems they create for their children, spouses and others. They often complain about being erratic and unorganized. They also tend to forget things or make impulsive choices. untreated adhd in adults uk and classes where spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you develop healthier relationships. It can also help you and your family members understand that the issues are caused by ADHD and not a lack in caring or a refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is very prevalent. It is often associated with co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. There are a variety of medications available for adults suffering from ADHD and a few of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the drugs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, however it can be difficult to identify them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist until adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder in their families or they may not remember having symptoms. A thorough medical history is important to determine if the symptoms are due to medical conditions like thyroid problems or sleep apnea. It could also be due to issues with vision and hearing or lead poisoning.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants are the most effective medication for treating adults with ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80% range. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate may also be administered via a transdermal device. This allows for continuous medication delivery during the daytime.
Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants that target dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has been shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication that should be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL another antidepressant, was shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic cellular transporter and increasing its presence in the brain. This drug has been proven to improve the mood of adults and reduce hyperactivity, but it's not as effective in improving concentration or cognitive function as stimulants.