ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent disorder of the nervous system that affects 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse 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 and amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults suffering from ADHD have significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning due to medications. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD find the combination of medications that works for them.
Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants like amphetamines or methylphenidate. These stimulants are available in liquid or tablet form 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 longer-acting drug taken once a day to lessen the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be successfully treated with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of drugs can be used in conjunction with stimulants or on their own to boost their effects. However, they can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects like rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as alprazolam as well as clonidine are used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs were initially developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming affect and can improve focus, and reduce the amount of hyperactivity and impulsivity in certain adults. These medications can lead to very low blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is reduced.
Adults with ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. adhd in adults symptoms and treatment 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 may nag or criticize them. Additionally, marriage and family counseling can help couples suffering from ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to teach strategies and skills that help improve functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can help people with ADHD overcome their self-esteem issues and the sense of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives and to discover new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as acting. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used by itself or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT may involve group therapy, which can be especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD as it offers the opportunity to interact with other people who are facing similar issues and learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures like symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been studied in comparison to other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD. All of these studies have shown significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes between medium and large. These improvements were attributed to diverse modalities like cognitive and interpersonal therapy and social skills training. problem solving training, as well as mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is warranted in comparing the efficacy of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is likely that the differences in outcome results depend on a variety of factors, including the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used and the background of the patient. A few studies have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while performing cognitive tasks to identify areas of the brain where there is too much or little activity, and instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues that may be contributing 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 is designed to help control impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behavior that can cause difficulties at school or at work.
In certain cases psychotherapy may be utilized in combination with medication for adults adhd treatment. Patients with comorbid disorders such as substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder must be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms are not worsened by medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, must be treated with more vigor.
Intensive outpatient programs might be recommended when the person's ADHD is such that it interferes with their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide structured treatment that is more intense than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD improve their ability to manage time management and impulse control, as well as organizing, and executive function. It helps them understand and express feelings and uses worksheets and activities to make the learning interesting. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT and improves a person's ability to focus and regulate their emotions. It also improves a person's ability to handle anxiety and stress. It can help them cope with sadness, anger, and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from 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 increase self-esteem, address the root causes of your issues and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and helps them to alter their negative thoughts and behaviours. In particular, it is focused on teaching you how to utilize strategies to manage your time and eliminate mental distortions that lead to negative moods and a perception of limited choices.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have comorbid anxiety or depression. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or reduce the effectiveness of some drugs used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended to first treat the most severe comorbidity and then observe its reaction to the medication prior treating the other condition.
adhd symptoms adults treatment can help you organize your work and life and establish routines that are predictable to manage your money and time, and develop an optimistic image of yourself. It can help you master relaxation methods that may reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can also aid in improving your focus by ensuring your body is stable in different poses.
Marriage and family counseling can address the problems that adults with ADHD frequently cause their spouses, children and others. 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 educated about ADHD can help you develop healthier relationships. Furthermore, it can aid you and your loved ones realize that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD rather than to a lack of caring or a willful refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is highly frequent. It is often accompanied by other disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. adhd in adults untreated and medication treatments are available as treatments. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD. Certain of these medications have been tested in trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and weaknesses of the various medications.
Adults with ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, but it can be difficult to identify them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist into adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder or may not remember symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to help determine whether the symptoms are caused by an illness such as a thyroid problem or sleep apnea, vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants have the highest reaction rates for adults with ADHD. Their response rates range from 70 to 80%. The most popular stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also available as a transdermal solution, which allows for a continuous drug delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that target dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine, the most studied tricyclic, has been shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose drug and should be increased by 50 mg every seven days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, has been proven to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that blocks 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 decrease hyperactivity in adults. However, it isn't as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving concentration or cognitive function.