ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of co-morbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, and alcohol abuse) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most commonly prescribed medications are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people with ADHD report significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning in response to medications. It is important that people who suffer from ADHD find the combination of medications that works for them.
Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, are the most commonly prescribed medications for adults with 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 every week to decrease the need to take it regularly throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can be treated effectively with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of drugs can be used on its own or in conjunction with stimulants to boost their effects. They can also increase the danger of serious side effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam or clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These drugs, initially developed to treat high blood pressure, possess the ability to calm and enhance focus and decrease the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among some adults. However, these medications can cause a very low blood pressure when they are suddenly cut off or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual talk therapy can help them deal with feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD and resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, and family members who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. Family and marriage counseling can be a great option to help couples suffering from ADHD to better understand each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by teaching strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can help individuals with ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the sense of failure they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavioral therapy assists people in changing their negative thoughts and feelings that cause problems in their life. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating many conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies or by itself.
CBT could include group therapy, which is especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to interact with other people who are facing similar issues and discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided 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.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD. All of these studies have shown significant reductions in ADHD symptoms with effects that range from moderate to large. These improvements were linked to diverse approaches that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving exercises and mindfulness meditation.
It is important to compare the efficacy between different treatments for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that the variations in the outcomes are due to a variety of variables, including treatment characteristics, measures employed as well as the backgrounds of the patients. There are few studies that have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing an electrode-lined hat 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 anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to improve the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage self-destructive, impulsive and negative behaviors that can create difficulties at school or at work.
In some cases psychotherapy can be used as an adjunct to medication for adult adhd in adults treatment. Patients with comorbid disorders such as bipolar disorder, and substance abuse need to be evaluated carefully to make sure they don't suffer from symptoms that aren't ameliorated by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and an history of seizures must be treated more aggressively as they are at higher risk of complications from medications.
Intensive outpatient programs might be suggested if the individual's ADHD is so severe that it interferes with their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer structured treatment that is more intense than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD improve their abilities to manage time management, impulse control, organizing, and executive function. It helps them understand and express their emotions and employs worksheets and exercises to make the lessons more interesting. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT and improves the ability of a person to concentrate and regulate their emotions. It also increases a person's ability to tolerate anxiety and stress. It can help them deal with sadness, anger and other emotional issues which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD experience difficulties at work and at home. These issues can also impact relationships and can lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you build confidence in yourself and resolve underlying problems. It can also assist you in developing healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and helps them to alter their negative attitudes and behavior. It focuses on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions that can lead to negative moods and the perception of a limited number of choices.
Many adults with ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or diminish the effectiveness of certain drugs used to treat ADHD. It is therefore recommended that you first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then observe its response to the medication before treating the other condition.
iampsychiatry can help you organize your life and work and establish routines that are predictable, manage your money and time and create confidence in yourself. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that may decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. In the same way yoga and other exercises can help you focus better by stabilizing the body in various poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can assist adults suffering from ADHD to solve the problems they create for their spouses, kids and friends. They often complain of being erratic and unorganized. They are also prone to forget things or make impulsive decisions. You can strengthen relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. It can help you and your family members to understand that the problems are due to ADHD instead of the lack of care or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is extremely frequent. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatments. There are many medication options for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the various medications.
Adults who suffer from ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children do, but it is difficult to identify because the symptoms of childhood may not last into adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their families or may not be aware of experiencing symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to help determine whether the symptoms are due to medical conditions such as thyroid issues or sleep apnea. It could also be due to vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD and their response rates are in the 70 - 80 percentage range. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be found in a transdermal system which allows for a continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, the most studied tricyclic, has been proven to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication which should be increased each seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is seen.
Bupropion XL is another antidepressant that has been proven to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter, increasing its availability in brain. This drug has been shown to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults, however it isn't as effective as stimulants in improving cognitive performance or concentration.