ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common disorder of the nervous system that affects 44% of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, alcohol abuse) and significant emotional, social, 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.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning in response to medication. It is essential that those suffering from ADHD find the combination of medications that works for them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamines. These stimulants are available as tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Adults can augment an immediate-release medication with an extended-release long-acting medication every week to lessen the need to take it often throughout the day.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been found to be effective in treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of drugs can be employed in conjunction with stimulants or in isolation to boost their effects. However, they could increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects such as an increased heart rate, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam or clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, can have an calming effect and are able to enhance focus and decrease the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among certain adults. However, these medications can result in a drop in blood pressure if they are abruptly removed or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual talk therapy helps them overcome feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment towards co-workers and supervisors, teachers, and family members that may criticize or nag them. Additionally counseling for marriage and families can help couples with ADHD be able to recognize each other's challenges and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can help individuals who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the feeling of inadequacy they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives and to discover new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has been found to be effective for a variety of illnesses including anxiety and depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with other treatments or by itself.
CBT can include group therapy, which is particularly helpful for adults with ADHD because it gives the opportunity to meet others who have similar struggles and to learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or via phone. One study compared the effects of CBT in comparison to conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and discovered that both treatments resulted in improvement in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms and effects, with sizes that range from moderate to large. These improvements were associated with a variety modalities including cognitive and interpersonal therapy and social skills training. problem-solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
It is essential to assess the efficacy between different treatments for adults with ADHD with caution. I Am Psychiatry is likely that different outcomes of the treatments depend on a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics, measures employed as well as the backgrounds of the patients. There are few studies that have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This method involves wearing a hat with electrodes while doing cognitive tasks to determine brain regions where there is a lack or excess of activity. The person is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy approaches that can aid in improving a person’s ability to manage conflicts and create meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behaviors that could cause difficulties at school or at work.
In some instances psychotherapy can be utilized as an adjunct to the medication used for adhd in adults treatment. People who have comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder and substance abuse must be assessed carefully to ensure they do not have symptoms that are not improved by the medications used to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, must be treated with more vigor because they are at a higher risk for complications from the medication.
If ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with everyday functioning and quality of life, intensive outpatient programs may be suggested. These programs provide more intense and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD enhance their ability to manage time and impulse control, executive function, and planning. It helps them understand and express feelings and utilizes worksheets and activities to make the learning interesting. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT, and it improves a person's ability to focus and control their emotions. It also increases a person's ability to handle anxiety and stress. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other difficult emotions that may be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and may cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues will allow you to improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It can also assist you in developing healthy coping methods.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches them how to change their negative beliefs and behavior. Particularly, it concentrates on teaching you to use time management strategies and overcome the distortions in your thinking that cause negative moods and perceptions of a limited selection.
Many adults with ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or reduce the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and then monitor the response to treatment prior to beginning treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you learn methods to organize your life and your work, establish regular routines, manage your time and money and build a positive self-image. It can also help you learn ways to relax that could reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Additionally, yoga and other exercise can help you improve your focus by stabilizing your body in different poses.
Marriage and family counseling can help adults with ADHD to resolve the issues they cause their children, spouses and others. They often complain about being unstable, unorganized, forgetful and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. You can build stronger relationships by educating your spouses and family members about ADHD. Furthermore it can aid you and your loved ones understand that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD instead of an absence of care or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is extremely common. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatments. A variety of medications are available to adults suffering from ADHD, and some of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the advantages and drawbacks of the drugs.
Adults suffering from ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, but it can be difficult to diagnose them because childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD may not have a history of the disorder in their families or they may not remember having symptoms. It is essential to take a thorough medical history to determine whether the symptoms are related to a medical condition, such as thyroid problems such as sleep apnea, sleep apnea and vision issues.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants have the highest reaction rates for adults suffering from ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness vary from 70% to 80%. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also available as a transdermal solution, which permits continuous supply of medication throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants which work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine is one of the most studied tricyclic drug and has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose medicine and should be increased by 50 mg every seven days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL, another antidepressant, has been proven to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which is effective in blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transportationer, increasing its availability in brain. The drug is known to improve the mood of adults and decrease hyperactivity, however it's not as effective at improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.