ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. It is accompanied with high rates of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, as well as significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Both psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed medications.
Medicines
Many people who suffer from ADHD report significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning in response to medications. It is crucial that people with ADHD find the combination of medications that works for them.
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most frequently prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. These stimulants are available in 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 every week to decrease the need to take it regularly throughout the day.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of drugs may be utilized in conjunction with stimulants, or alone to enhance their effects. However, they can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects like a rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam or clonidine. They are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, possess an calming effect and are able to enhance focus and decrease the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among some adults. However, these medications can cause a very low blood pressure when they are abruptly cut off or reduced in dosage.
Adults with ADHD are also able to benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy helps people deal with feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment toward coworkers, supervisors, teachers, and family members that may criticize or nag them. Marriage and family counseling can be a great option to help couples suffering from ADHD better understand each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can help those with ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the feeling of inadequacy they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that cause difficulties in their lives and to develop new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as doing. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for many conditions including anxiety and depression. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT can include group therapy, which is particularly helpful for adults with ADHD as it offers the opportunity to meet 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. In one study, CBT was compared to standard therapy for adults who have ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report measures such as symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
Several studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were associated with diverse approaches such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving training and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is required in comparing the efficacy of different therapies for adult ADHD. It is possible that the differences in the outcomes are due to a range of factors, including the treatment characteristics and measures employed. A few studies have investigated 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 little activity, and teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues, which could contribute to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy methods which can improve a person’s ability to resolve conflicts and build lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage self-destructive, impulsive, and negative behaviors that can cause problems at school or work.
In some instances psychotherapy may be used as an alternative to the medication used for adhd treatment for adults. People with co-occurring disorders like addiction to substances, depression and bipolar disorder need to 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, should be treated more aggressively.
If ADHD is severe enough to interfere with the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs could be suggested. These programs provide more intensive and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD improve their ability to manage their time and impulse control, organizing, and executive function. It teaches them to recognize and express feelings and uses worksheets and activities to make the learning interesting. The practice of mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to focus and regulate emotions. It increases the capacity of a person to tolerate stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger, and other emotions that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. In addition to affecting their work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and can lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you to improve your self-esteem and resolve underlying problems. It will also help you develop healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps them change their negative thoughts and behavior. It concentrates on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions which can cause negative moods, and the perception that there are only a few choices.
Many people with ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or diminish the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and then monitor the effect of medication prior to attempting treatment for the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life by establishing predictable routines, manage your time and money and build a positive image of yourself. It can help you learn ways to relax that could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your concentration by ensuring your body is stable in various postures.
Family and marriage counseling can help adults with ADHD to solve the problems they cause their spouses, kids and other family members. They frequently complain of being unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. Therapy and classes where spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you build healthier relationships. Furthermore it can aid you and your loved ones realize that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD rather than to the lack of compassion or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that is extremely frequent. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. There are a range of medication options for adults suffering from ADHD. Some of these medications have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted both the advantages and drawbacks of the medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD may experience the same symptoms that children have, but it's difficult to identify because the symptoms of childhood may not last into adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder in their families or they may not even remember experiencing symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to determine if the symptoms are due to medical conditions such as thyroid issues or sleep apnea. It could also be due to vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective drugs to treat adults suffering from ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80 percent range. The most popular stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate may also be administered via a transdermal system. This allows for continuous medication delivery during the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take non-stimulant drugs that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic drug and has been proven to be effective in adult patients with ADHD. It is a low dose medication and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every seven days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, has been shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that is effective in blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter, increasing its availability in brain. he has a good point is known to improve the mood of adults and reduce hyperactivity however, it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive function as stimulants.