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, including anxiety, depression and substance abuse as well as significant social, emotional 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 and amphetamine.
Medications
Many people who suffer from ADHD report significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning in response to medications. It is important that people with ADHD find the combination of medications that is effective for them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamines. These stimulants are available as liquid or tablet form in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. Some adults can supplement their immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medicine used once per day to decrease the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD are also treated effectively with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of drugs may be employed in conjunction with stimulants, or on their own to boost their effects. They can also increase the risk of serious adverse consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like alprazolam as well as clonidine are used for the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They are calming and may improve focus and reduce the amount of hyperactivity and impulsivity in certain adults. These medications can result in extremely low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is decreased.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual talk therapy helps people to overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment and resentment against coworkers, supervisors, teachers, and family members that might 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 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 to overcome the low self-esteem and sense of inadequacy that can be a result of this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavior therapy, helps people change their negative thoughts and emotions that are causing problems in their lives. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has been found to be effective for a variety of conditions such as anxiety and depression. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT can include group therapy, which can be particularly beneficial for people with ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to interact with other people with similar challenges and to discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or via the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to standard therapy for adults who have 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 show significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect size. These improvements were linked to diverse modalities like interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy, social skills training, problem solving training, and mindfulness mediation.
However, caution is advised when comparing the effectiveness of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is possible that the differences in outcomes results are due to a variety of factors, including treatment features and the methods used. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, an approach that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to determine areas of the brain where there is too much or little activity. Then, instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these problems, which may be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy methods that can help improve the ability of a person to manage conflicts and create meaningful relationships. evidence based treatment for adhd in adults seeks to change negative behavior and assist in reducing impulsive and self-destructive behaviors which can lead to issues at school or work.
In some cases psychotherapy may be used as an adjunct to medication for adult ADHD treatment for adults. People with multiple disorders like depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder should be assessed to ensure their symptoms are not worsened by the medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history or seizures, must be treated with more vigor.
If ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs could be suggested. These programs offer structured treatment that is more intensive than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of cognitive therapy, aids people with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time planning, impulse control and executive function. It helps them recognize and express feelings and uses exercises and worksheets to make the learning interesting. The practice of mindfulness meditation improves CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to concentrate and regulate emotions. It also increases a person's ability to tolerate the effects of stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other difficult emotions which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. In addition to affecting their work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and could result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help improve your self-esteem, resolve the root causes of your issues and establish healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches them how to change their negative attitudes and behavior. In particular, it is focused on teaching you how to employ strategies to manage your time and eliminate the distortions in your thinking that cause negative moods and a perception of limited choices.
Many adults with ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or decrease the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. It is therefore recommended to first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then monitor its response to the medication prior to treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you learn ways to organize your life and work, create routines that are predictable, manage time and money, and create a positive self-image. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that may reduce your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can help you focus by stabilizing your body in different poses.
Family and marriage counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to resolve the issues they create for their spouses, kids and friends. They frequently complain of being erratic and unorganized. They often forget things or make impulsive decisions. You can build stronger relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. It can also help you and your family members realize that the problem is due to ADHD instead of the lack of care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication treatments are available as treatments. There are a variety of medication options for adults suffering from ADHD. Some of these medications have been tested in studies. These studies have exposed the strengths and the limitations of the medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD have the same symptoms as children, however it isn't always easy to identify them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist throughout adulthood. Adults with ADHD might not have any family background of the disorder or may not be aware of symptoms. It is crucial to take a thorough medical history to determine whether the symptoms are related to an illness, like thyroid issues or sleep apnea, and vision problems.
Treatments for adults suffering from ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and other non-stimulant medications. Stimulants have the highest response rates for adults with ADHD. Their responsiveness rates vary between 70 and 80percent. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also available in a transdermal system which permits continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take non-stimulant drugs that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has been proven to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low-dose medication that is recommended to be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL another antidepressant, has been shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that is effective in blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter and increasing its presence in the brain. This drug has been found to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults, but it isn't as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving cognitive performance or concentration.