ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, and substance abuse) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Medications and psychotherapy are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most commonly prescribed medications are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people who suffer from ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning in response to medications. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD find the combination of medication that works for them.
Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. These stimulants are available in liquid or tablet form in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Some adults supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or longer-acting drug that is taken daily to lessen the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD are also treated effectively with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of drugs can be used alone or in combination with stimulants to increase 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 and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and may improve focus and reduce the amount of hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. However, these medications could cause a very low blood pressure when they are suddenly cut off or reduced in dosage.
adult adhd diagnosis and treatment can also be beneficial for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help them cope with their feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD and resentment toward co-workers, supervisors, teachers and family members who may nag or criticize them. Marriage and family counseling is also a great way to help couples suffering from ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to impart strategies and techniques that enhance performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and sense of failure that is often associated with this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavioral therapy, assists people in changing 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 form of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be used on its own or in combination with other therapies.
CBT may include group therapy, which can be particularly beneficial for people with ADHD as it offers the opportunity to meet others who have similar struggles and to learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or by phone. adult adhd diagnostic assessment and treatment compared the results of CBT with that of standard therapy for adults with 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 suffering from ADHD. All of these studies demonstrate significant reductions in ADHD symptoms and effects, with sizes between medium and large. These improvements were attributed to diverse approaches, including interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is warranted in comparing the efficacy of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is likely that the different outcomes of the treatments reflect a number of variables, including treatment characteristics, measures employed, and patient backgrounds. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing a hat with electrodes while performing cognitive tasks to identify brain areas where there is excessive or insufficient activity. The individual is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help to address these issues, which could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to enhance the capacity of individuals to establish meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. adult adhd diagnostic assessment and treatment is designed to change negative behavior and assist in reducing self-destructive and impulsive behaviors that can lead to problems at school or at work.
In some instances, psychotherapy is utilized as an adjunct to the medication used for adhd treatment for adults. People who have comorbid conditions like bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs should be evaluated with care to make sure they don't have symptoms that are not improved by the medication used to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and an history of seizures need to be treated more aggressively because they are at a higher risk of developing complications from the medication.
When ADHD is severe enough to interfere with everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs might be recommended. These programs provide more thorough 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, organizing, and executive function. It helps them understand and express feelings, and it uses worksheets and activities to make the lessons engaging. The training in mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and improves the ability of a person to focus and regulate emotions. It also increases a person's capacity to manage the effects of stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with anger, sadness and other emotions that may be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. These issues can also impact relationships and cause 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 therapy is a useful treatment for adults with ADHD because it teaches you how to change your negative beliefs and behaviors. Particularly, it concentrates on teaching you to use strategies to manage your time and eliminate the distortions in your thinking that cause negative moods and the perception of limited choices.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or even increase the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and then monitor the response to treatment prior to beginning treatment for the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you learn methods to organize your life and work, establish regular routines, manage your time and money and build a positive self-image. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that may reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can also aid in improving your focus by stabilizing your body in different poses.
Family and marriage counseling can help adults with ADHD to overcome the problems they cause their children, spouses and other family members. They often complain about being unstable, unorganized, forgetful and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. You can strengthen relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. It can aid you and your family members to understand that the problems are due to ADHD instead of a lack in caring or a refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is often associated with other disorders that are comorbid, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medication interventions. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD. Some of these medications have been tested in studies. These studies have revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the medications.
Adults with ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, however it isn't always easy to diagnose them because the symptoms of childhood may not persist until adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD may also not have any family background of the disorder or may not be aware of symptoms. It is crucial to take a thorough medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are caused by a medical condition, like thyroid issues such as sleep apnea, sleep apnea and vision problems.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants are the most effective medications for treating adults with ADHD and their response rates are in the 70%-80% range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be found as a transdermal solution, that allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that work on dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic, and has been proven to be effective in adult patients with ADHD. It is a low dose medication that is recommended to be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is noticed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant which has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that works by blocking the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic transporter, thereby increasing its presence in the brain. The drug is known to boost mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity but it's not as effective in improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.