ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent neurological disorder that affects 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, and addiction to drugs) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Both psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most commonly prescribed medications.
Medications
Many people with ADHD have significant improvement in their symptoms and performance due to medications. Due to the various ways that people react to medications, it is crucial for people with ADHD to discover a combination that is most effective.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form, and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Some adults supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medicine used once per day to lessen the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated successfully with antidepressants such as desipramine. This class of medications can be employed in conjunction with stimulants or in isolation 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 antagonists like alprazolam and clonidine can also be used to treat adults with ADHD. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, possess the ability to calm and enhance focus and decrease the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among certain adults. However, these medications could cause a drop in blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy can help them cope with their feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD as well as resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, and family members who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. Counseling for families and marriage can be a great option to help couples suffering from ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by teaching strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD overcome low self-esteem and sense of inadequacy that can be a result of this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives. It also helps to discover new ways of thinking, feeling and doing. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has proven to be effective in treating a variety of disorders such as anxiety and depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or by itself.
CBT could include group therapy, which can be particularly helpful for adults with ADHD because it gives the opportunity to meet others who have similar struggles and to learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or by phone. One study compared the results of CBT in comparison to standard therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvements in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms and quality of life.
CBT has been compared to other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies have shown significant reductions in ADHD symptoms with effects between medium and large. These improvements were associated with a variety of modalities that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is required in comparing the effectiveness of different therapies for adult ADHD. It is possible that the variations in the outcomes are due to a variety of variables that include treatment characteristics, measures used as well as the backgrounds of the patients. Few studies have examined the effectiveness neurofeedback. This method involves wearing a hat with electrodes while performing cognitive tasks in order to identify brain areas where there is excessive or insufficient activity. The individual then learns to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help to address these problems, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy approaches which can improve the ability of a person to resolve conflicts and build lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage self-destructive, impulsive, and negative behaviors that can create problems at work or school.
In adhd treatment for adults online , psychotherapy can be used in conjunction with medications for adults who are seeking treatment for adhd. Patients suffering from comorbid disorders such as addiction to substances, depression and bipolar disorder must be assessed to ensure their symptoms aren't aggravated by the medications used to treat ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and an history of seizures need to be treated more aggressively because they are at higher risk for complications from the medication.
Outpatient intensive programs may be suggested if the individual's ADHD is such that it hinders their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide more thorough and structured treatment than traditional 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 recognize and express feelings and utilizes activities and worksheets to make the learning interesting. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT, and it improves a person's ability to focus and regulate their emotions. It also enhances an individual's ability to tolerate the effects of stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other difficult feelings that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and can cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues will allow you improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It can also help you develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and teaches them how to change their negative thoughts and behavior. It concentrates on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that can lead to negative moods and the perception that there are only a few possibilities.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from comorbid anxiety or depression. These psychiatric disorders can reduce or increase the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and then monitor the response to treatment prior to attempting treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you learn ways to organize your life and your work, create routines that are predictable, manage money and time and develop an optimistic self-image. It can help you master techniques for relaxation that can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can help you concentration by ensuring your body is stable in different poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can help adults with ADHD to resolve the issues they create for their children, spouses and other family members. They frequently complain that they are insecure, unorganized, and often prone to making impulsive choices. Classes and therapy in which spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you establish more harmonious relationships. Additionally, it can aid you and your loved ones understand that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD rather than to an absence of care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly common neurobiological disorder. It is often accompanied by other disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. There are a variety of medications available for adults suffering from ADHD and some of them have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted the strengths and drawbacks of the various medications.
Adults with ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, but it can be difficult to diagnose them because childhood symptoms might not last throughout adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD may not have a history of the disorder in their family or they may not remember having symptoms. A thorough medical history is necessary to determine if the symptoms are due to an illness such as thyroid issues or sleep apnea, vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants are the most effective medication for adults suffering from ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80% range. The most frequently used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. 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 mostly tricyclic antidepressants that target norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL, another antidepressant, was shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter and increasing its presence in the brain. This drug has been proven to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity, but it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive function as stimulants.