ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. It is associated with high rates of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression and addiction to drugs, and significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most commonly prescribed medications.
Medicines
Many people who suffer from ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning in response to medication. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD discover the right combination of medication that works for them.
Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. They are available in tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Some adults can supplement their immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medicine taken once a day to reduce the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD are also treated successfully with antidepressants like desipramine. This class of medications can be employed together with stimulants or alone to enhance their effects. However, they may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, such as rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like alprazolam and clonidine are also used to treat people suffering from ADHD. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, have the ability to calm and improve focus and decrease the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in some adults. These medications can lead to very low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is reduced.
Adults with ADHD are also able to benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy can help them deal with their feelings of shame and embarrassment over their ADHD, as well as anger towards supervisors, coworkers teachers, and family members who might nag or criticize them. In addition counseling for families and marriages can help couples with ADHD understand each other's problems and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to help people learn strategies and techniques that enhance performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can also assist people with ADHD overcome low self-esteem and sense of failure that often accompanies this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavior therapy, helps people change their negative thoughts and emotions that cause difficulties in their lives. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has been found to be effective for a variety of disorders including anxiety and depression. It can be used on its own or in combination with other therapies.
CBT may include group therapy, which is particularly helpful for adults with ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to interact with other people who have similar struggles and to learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or via the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to the standard treatment for adults with ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting indicators like symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
Several studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for people with ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were associated with a variety modalities including interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy and social skills training. problem solving training, as well as mindfulness meditation.
It is important to compare the effectiveness of various treatments for adult ADHD with caution. It is likely that different outcomes of the treatments reflect a number of variables, including the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used and the background of the patient. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas in the brain where there is too much or little activity, and instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues which may be causing ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include interpersonal therapy to enhance the capacity of individuals to establish meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to transform negative behaviors and assist in reducing self-destructive and impulsive behavior which can lead to issues at school or work.
In some cases, psychotherapy can be used in combination with medication for adults adhd treatment. People with comorbid conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse should be evaluated with care to make sure they don't have symptoms that cannot be improved by the medication that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history or seizures, should be treated with more vigor.
In-depth outpatient programs could be suggested if the individual's ADHD is such that it hinders their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer a more thorough and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of cognitive therapy, assists adults with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time planning, impulse control and executive functioning. It helps them identify and express their emotions and uses worksheets and activities to make the lessons more enjoyable. The practice of mindfulness meditation improves CBT and enhances the capacity of a person's ability to concentrate and regulate emotions. It also enhances an individual's ability to tolerate stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger and other difficult emotions which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD experience difficulties at work and at home. These symptoms can also affect relationships and can lead to financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues will allow you to improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It will also help you develop healthy coping methods.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD, as it teaches them how to change their negative thoughts and behavior. Particularly, it focuses on teaching you to utilize strategies for managing time and overcoming mental distortions that lead to negative moods and perceptions of limited choices.
Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or even increase the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. It is therefore recommended that you first treat the most severe comorbidity and then observe its response to the medication before treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your work and life and establish routines that are predictable, manage your time and money and create an optimistic image of yourself. It can help you learn ways to relax that could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. online adhd treatment for adults and other exercises can also help you improve focus by stabilizing your body in various postures.
Family and marriage counseling can address the problems that adults with ADHD frequently cause their spouses, children and their families. evidence based treatment for adhd in adults complain about being unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and often prone to making impulsive choices. Classes and therapy in which spouses and other family members are educated on ADHD can help you develop better relationships. It can aid you and your family members realize that the issues are due to ADHD instead of an inability to care or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that is extremely common. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety and addiction disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medication interventions. There are a range of medications available for adults with ADHD. Some of these medications have been evaluated in trials. These studies have highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of the medications.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have the same symptoms as children, but it isn't always easy to recognize them since childhood symptoms may not persist throughout adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD might 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 caused by medical conditions like thyroid problems, sleep apnea, vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants are the most effective medication to treat adults suffering from ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are within the 70-80 percentage range. The most commonly used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also available in a transdermal system which allows for a continuous drug delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants which work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has been shown to work 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 another antidepressant, was shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist and works by blocking the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its availability in the brain. This drug has been shown to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults, however it is not as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving cognitive performance or concentration.