ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4% of the general population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, as well as significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Both psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medications
Many adults suffering from ADHD notice significant improvements in symptoms and performance as a result of medication. It is important that people suffering from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that works for them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamines. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid forms and can be taken as often as every three to four hours. Adults can supplement their immediate-release medication with an extended-release long-acting medication once a week to reduce the need to take it often throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD are also successfully treated with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of medications can be used in conjunction with stimulants or in isolation to boost their effects. However, they can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, such as rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam or clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, possess an calming effect and are able to improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. However, these drugs can result in a drop in blood pressure when they are abruptly removed or reduced in dosage.
Adults with ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help those with ADHD deal with feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment toward coworkers, supervisors, teachers, and family members that might criticize or nag them. Additionally counseling for families and marriages can help couples suffering from ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also assist people who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and feelings of failure that often accompanies this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavior therapy, helps people change their negative thoughts and feelings that are causing problems in their lives. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of disorders, including depression and anxiety. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies or on its own.
CBT can include group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD as it allows them to meet others who face similar challenges and discover how they deal with their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or via the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to the standard treatment for adults who have ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report measures such as symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
Several studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were attributed to a variety modalities including interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy, social skills training, problem solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
It is important to compare the effectiveness of various treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. how to get treated for adhd in adults is possible that the differences in outcomes results result from a variety of factors, including treatment features and the methods employed. Few studies have examined the effectiveness neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing a hat with electrodes while doing cognitive tasks to pinpoint brain areas in which there is excessive or inadequate activity. The individual is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which may be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy approaches that can aid in improving a person’s ability to resolve conflicts and develop meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to alter negative behaviors and help manage self-destructive and impulsive behaviors that can lead to problems at school or work.
In some instances psychotherapy may be used as an adjunct to medications for adult adhd treatment for adults. People with multiple disorders like addiction to substances, depression and bipolar disorder need to be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms aren't aggravated by medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history or seizures, should be treated more aggressively.
When ADHD is serious enough to affect the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs might be recommended. These programs offer a more thorough and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a type of cognitive therapy, aids adults with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive functioning. It helps them understand and express emotions and utilizes activities and worksheets to make the lessons interesting. The training in mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and improves the ability of a person to focus and manage emotions. It increases the capacity of a person's ability to handle the effects of stress and arousal. It can help them cope with sadness, anger, and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD often report difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to impacting work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and could cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help improve your self-esteem, resolve the root causes of your issues and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps you change your negative thoughts and behaviors. It focuses on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions that can lead to negative moods and the perception that there are only a few choices.
Many people with ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or diminish the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and observe its response to medication before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you learn how to manage your life and your work, set up regular routines, manage your money and time and develop a positive self-image. It can also help you learn relaxation methods that may reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can also help you improve concentration by stabilizing your body during various poses.
Marriage and family counseling can address the problems that adults with ADHD frequently cause their children, spouses, and their families. They often complain about being undependable and unorganized. They often forget things or make decisions impulsively. You can strengthen relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. Additionally it can aid you and your loved ones understand that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD rather than the lack of compassion or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is often associated with comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatments. There are a variety of medication options for adults suffering from ADHD. Some of these medications have been tested in trials. These studies have highlighted both the advantages and drawbacks of the medications.
Adults who suffer from ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, but it isn't always easy to diagnose them because the symptoms of childhood may not persist throughout adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder in their family or may not be aware of experiencing symptoms. A thorough medical history is necessary to help determine whether the symptoms are caused by an illness like thyroid problems or sleep apnea, issues with vision and hearing or lead poisoning.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants are the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80 percent range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be administered via a transdermal device. This permits continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that target dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication and should be increased by 50 mg every seven days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a second antidepressant that has been proven to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and is able to block the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its use in the brain. This drug has been found to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults. However, it isn't as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving cognitive performance or concentration.