ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common condition of the nervous system that affects 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, addiction to drugs) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Medications and psychotherapy are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most commonly prescribed drugs.
Medicines
Many people with ADHD have seen significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning in response to medication. Due to the many different ways people respond to medications it is essential for those with ADHD to find a combination that is effective.
Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, are the most frequently prescribed drugs 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 may supplement an immediate-release medicine with an extended-release long-acting medication every week to lessen the necessity to take it often throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated successfully with antidepressants like desipramine. This class of drugs can be used on its own or in combination with stimulants to enhance 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 or clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, possess the ability to calm and increase focus and reduce the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among certain adults. However, these medications could cause a very low blood pressure if they are abruptly cut off or reduced in dosage.
Adults with ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy helps those with ADHD to overcome feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment against coworkers, teachers, supervisors, and family members that may criticize or nag them. Marriage and family counseling is a great method to help couples with ADHD to better understand each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to help people learn skills and strategies that improve functioning in daily life. 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), also known as cognitive behavioral therapy, helps people change their negative thoughts and emotions that cause problems in their lives. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has proven to be effective for many disorders such as anxiety and depression. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments.
effects of untreated adhd in adults can also incorporate group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for adults with ADHD as it allows them to meet others who have similar struggles and discover how they deal with their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or via phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults who have ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report measures like symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD, and all show significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were linked to a variety modalities including cognitive and interpersonal therapy as well as social skills training, problem solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
It is crucial to evaluate the efficacy between different treatments for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that the differences in outcome results are due to a variety of variables that include treatment characteristics, measures used and the background of the patient. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to identify areas in the brain where there is too much or too little activity. Then, instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy strategies 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 impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behaviors that could create problems at school or work.
In certain situations psychotherapy may be utilized in conjunction with medication for adults adhd treatment. People with comorbid disorders such as addiction to substances, depression and bipolar disorder should be assessed to ensure their symptoms are not worsened through the use of medications to treat ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and an history of seizures need to be treated with more vigor because they are more at risk of complications from medications.
Outpatient intensive programs may be recommended if the person's ADHD is such that it interferes with their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer an organized treatment that is more intensive than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of cognitive therapy, aids adults suffering from ADHD to improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as planning and executive functioning. It teaches them to recognize and express feelings, and it uses worksheets and activities to make the lessons engaging. The training in mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to focus and manage emotions. It increases the capacity of a person's ability to handle anxiety and stress. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other emotions which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting their work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and can 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 beliefs and behavior. Particularly, it is focused on teaching you how to employ strategies to manage your time and eliminate mental distortions that lead to negative moods and the perception of limited choices.
Many people with ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or diminish the effectiveness of certain treatments for ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe comorbidity first and then monitor the effect of medication before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can teach you how to manage your life and your work, create regular routines, manage your time and money and build a positive self-image. It can also help you learn relaxation methods that may reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Additionally yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing the body in different poses.
Marriage and family counseling can help adults with ADHD to overcome the problems they cause their children, spouses and other family members. They often complain about being unreliable and disorganized. They are also prone to forget things or make impulsive decisions. Therapy and classes where spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you establish healthier relationships. It can also help you and your family members realize that the problems are due to ADHD and not a lack in caring or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is highly common. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. The use of medication and psychosocial interventions is available as treatments. There are a range of treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Some of these medications have been evaluated in trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and weaknesses of the various medications.
Adults who suffer from ADHD may experience the same symptoms that children do, but it can be difficult to identify because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. Adults with ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder, or might not remember the symptoms. It is important to have an extensive medical history in order to determine whether the symptoms are caused by an illness, such as thyroid problems or sleep apnea, and vision problems.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants have the highest reaction rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness vary from 70% to 80percent. The most popular stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate is also available in a transdermal system which allows for a continuous drug delivery throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that are based on norepinephrine, or dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has been proven to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose drug and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL, another antidepressant, has been proven to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. This drug has been shown to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults. However, it is not as effective as stimulants in improving concentration or cognitive function.