ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. It is associated by high rates of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, as well as significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most commonly prescribed drugs.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD experience significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning due to medications. It is essential that those who suffer from ADHD discover the right combination of medication that works for them.
Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, are the most frequently prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form and can be taken as often as every three to four hours. Adults can supplement their immediate-release medicine with an extended release long-acting medicine at least once a week to reduce the necessity to take it regularly throughout the day.
Desipramine and other antidepressants have also been found to be effective in the treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of drugs can be utilized in conjunction with stimulants, or on their own to boost their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious adverse effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and may improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in some adults. These medications can lead to very low blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is decreased.
Psychotherapy is also useful for adults with ADHD. Individual talk therapy helps them deal with feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment towards co-workers and supervisors, teachers and family members who may criticize or nag them. Additionally counseling for families and marriages can help couples with ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD aims to improve daily functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can help those who suffer from ADHD overcome their self-esteem issues and the feeling of inadequacy they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives. It also helps to learn new ways of thinking, feeling and doing. This short-term and goal-oriented therapy has been proven effective in treating many illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments or by itself.
CBT can include group therapy. This is especially beneficial for people with ADHD as it allows them to meet others who have similar struggles and learn how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or over the phone. One study compared the effects of CBT against conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and discovered that both treatments resulted in improvement in self-report assessments of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
A number of 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 sizes. These improvements were attributed to various modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training and mindfulness meditation.
It is crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatments for adult ADHD with caution. It is likely that the differences in outcome results depend on a variety of factors that include the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used, and patient backgrounds. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, an approach that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas in the brain that there is too much or too 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 among the psychotherapy techniques that can aid in improving the ability of individuals to resolve conflicts and develop meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to change negative behavior and assist in managing self-destructive and impulsive behavior that can cause problems at school or work.
In some instances, psychotherapy is utilized as an adjunct to medications for adult adhd treatment for adults. People who have comorbid conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder and substance abuse need to be evaluated carefully to ensure that they do not have symptoms that cannot be ameliorated by the medications used to treat ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and seizures in the past, must be treated more aggressively as they are at a higher risk of complications from medication.
When ADHD is serious enough to affect the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs might be recommended. These programs offer an organized therapy that is more intense than traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD improve their ability to manage time management, impulse control, organizing, and executive function. It helps them recognize and express their emotions and employs worksheets and exercises to make the learning more engaging. The practice of mindfulness meditation improves CBT and improves the ability of a person's ability to concentrate and regulate emotions. It enhances the capacity of 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 often have difficulties functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and could lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues will allow you to improve your self-esteem and address the root of the issue. It will also assist you in developing healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches you how to modify your negative thoughts and behaviors. It is focused on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions which contribute to negative moods, and the perception of limited choices.
Many people with ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or diminish the effectiveness of some drugs used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then monitor the response to the medication before treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your work and life, establish predictable routines, manage your money and time and build confidence in yourself. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that could reduce your impulsivity and hyperactivity. In the same way, yoga and other exercise can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing the body in different postures.
Marriage and family counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to overcome the problems they create for their children, spouses and others. They often complain of being unreliable and disorganized. They often forget things or make impulsive choices. You can strengthen your relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. It can help you and your family members to understand that the issues are due to ADHD and not the lack of care or a refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly frequent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression and addiction disorders. Psychosocial and medication treatments are available as treatments. A variety of medications are available for adults suffering from ADHD, and some of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and the limitations of the medication.
Adults with ADHD may experience the same symptoms as children do, but it is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD might not have an ancestral background of the disorder or may not be aware of symptoms. It is important to have a thorough medical history to determine whether the symptoms are related to an illness, like thyroid issues such as sleep apnea, sleep apnea and vision problems.
Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and other non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medication for adults suffering from ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80 percent range. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.
Adults with ADHD can take non-stimulant drugs that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been proven to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every seven days until the desired response is observed.
untreated adhd in female adults symptoms is another antidepressant that has been shown to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that is effective in blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic cellular transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults. However, it isn't as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving cognitive performance or concentration.