ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the general population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, alcohol abuse) and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
adhd symptoms adults treatment and psychotherapy are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most commonly prescribed medications are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medications
Many adults suffering from ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning due to medication. Due to the various ways people respond to medications it is important for individuals with ADHD to determine a mix that is most effective.
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 frequently as every three to four hours. Adults can augment an immediate-release medicine with an extended-release, long-acting medicine every week to decrease the requirement to take it often throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD are also successfully treated with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of drugs may be utilized together with stimulants or in isolation to boost their effects. They can also increase the danger of serious side effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as alprazolam as well as clonidine are used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and can improve focus, and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in some adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is reduced.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help those with ADHD to overcome feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment towards co-workers and teachers, supervisors and family members who might nitpick or criticize them. Family and marriage counseling is also a great way to help couples suffering from ADHD better understand each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by teaching strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also help people who suffer from ADHD to overcome the 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 and feeling, as well as acting. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating many conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or alone.
CBT can include group therapy. This is especially beneficial for adults with ADHD because it allows them to connect with other people who are facing similar issues and learn how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or via phone. In one study, CBT was compared to the standard treatment for adults with ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures like symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
Numerous studies have evaluated CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD, and all show significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were attributed to diverse approaches, including interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving, and mindfulness meditation.
It is essential to assess the effectiveness of different treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that variations in the outcomes depend on a variety of factors that include treatment characteristics, measures employed, 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 identify areas in the brain where there is too much or little activity, and instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy approaches which can improve the ability of individuals to resolve conflicts and build lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to transform negative behaviors and assist in reducing self-destructive and impulsive behavior which can lead to issues at work or school.
In certain situations, psychotherapy can be used in conjunction with medications for adults who are seeking treatment for adhd. People with multiple disorders like depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder need to be assessed to ensure their symptoms aren't made worse by medications used to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and seizures in the past, must be treated more aggressively because they are more at risk for complications from the medications.
When ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs might be suggested. These programs provide structured treatment that is more intense than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD improve their ability to manage their time and impulse control, planning, and executive function. It helps them recognize and express their feelings and uses worksheets and activities to make the lessons more enjoyable. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT, and it improves a person's ability to focus and manage their emotions. It improves the ability of a person to manage anxiety and stress. It can help them cope with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. These issues can also impact relationships and can lead to financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help improve your self-esteem, resolve underlying problems and establish healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults with ADHD because it teaches you how to change your negative beliefs and behaviors. It concentrates on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods, and the perception of limited choices.
Many adults with ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric disorders can reduce or exacerbate the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbidity first and monitor the response to treatment before proceeding to treatment of the other condition.
Occupational therapy can teach you methods to organize your life and work, create predictable routines, manage money and time and develop an optimistic self-image. It can also help you learn relaxation methods that may reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can help you improve concentration by stabilizing your body in various postures.
Marriage and family counseling can help adults with ADHD to overcome the problems they cause their children, spouses and others. They often complain about being unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and often prone to making impulsive choices. You can strengthen relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. It can also help you and your family members understand that the problem is caused by ADHD instead of an inability to care or a refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatment options. There are a range of medications available for adults with ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted the strengths and limitations of the medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD might experience the same symptoms as children have, but it's difficult to identify because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. Adults who suffer from ADHD might not have any family background of the disorder or may not remember symptoms. It is crucial to take a thorough medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are due to an illness such as thyroid problems such as sleep apnea, sleep apnea and vision problems.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants have the highest reaction rates for adults with ADHD. Their responsiveness rates range between 70 and 70% to 80%. The most frequently used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate is also accessible in a transdermal system, which permits continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic, and has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose drug and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant that has been shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that works by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its use in the brain. This drug has been shown to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults. However, it isn't as effective as stimulants in improving cognitive performance or concentration.