ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurological disorder that affects 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied with high rates of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, and significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD have significant improvements in symptoms and performance due to medication. It is important that people who suffer from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that is effective for them.
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. These stimulants are available in tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. Adults can supplement their immediate-release medication with an extended-release, long-acting medicine every week to decrease the requirement to take it often throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated effectively with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of drugs can be utilized in conjunction with stimulants, or on their own to boost their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious side effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam as well as clonidine are used for the treatment of people suffering from ADHD. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, can have the ability to calm and improve focus and decrease the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among some adults. However, these medications could cause a very low blood pressure when they are abruptly cut off or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy is also useful for adults with ADHD. Individual talk therapy helps people overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment toward coworkers, teachers, supervisors, and family members that might nitpick or criticize them. Marriage and family counseling can be a great option to help couples with ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to impart strategies and skills that help improve performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can also aid those who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and feelings of failure that often accompanies this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives. It also helps to develop new ways of thinking, feeling and doing. This short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has proven to be effective in treating a variety of illnesses including anxiety and depression. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT may also include group therapy. This is especially beneficial for people with ADHD because it allows them to meet others who are facing similar issues and learn about how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or over the phone. One study compared the effects of CBT in comparison to standard therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvement in self-report measures of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD and have all shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect size. These improvements were linked to a variety of modalities that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving exercises and mindfulness meditation.
It is essential to assess the effectiveness of various treatments for adult ADHD with caution. It is possible that the variations in the outcomes are due to a variety of variables such as treatment characteristics, measures used as well as the backgrounds of the patients. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while performing cognitive tasks in order to identify brain areas where there is excessive or inadequate activity. The individual is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues, which may be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy approaches which can improve a person’s ability to resolve conflicts and build meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behaviors that can cause difficulties at school or at work.
In some cases psychotherapy is sometimes used in conjunction with medication for adults with adhd treatment. People who have comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs need to be evaluated carefully to make sure they don't have symptoms that are not improved by the medication that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, should be treated more aggressively.
When ADHD is severe enough to interfere with daily functioning and quality-of-life, intensive outpatient programs may be suggested. These programs offer structured therapy that is more intense than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a type of cognitive therapy, aids adults suffering from ADHD to improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as planning and executive function. It helps them recognize and express their feelings. It employs worksheets and exercises to make the lessons more engaging. The practice of mindfulness meditation improves CBT and improves the ability of a person's ability to concentrate and regulate emotions. It also improves a person's ability to handle stress and arousal. evidence based treatment for adhd in adults can help them cope 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 symptoms can also affect relationships and lead to financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you to improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It will also assist you in developing healthy coping methods.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment is an effective treatment for adults with ADHD because it teaches them how to change their negative thoughts and behavior. In particular, it concentrates on teaching you to utilize time management strategies and overcome mental distortions that lead to negative moods and a perception of limited choices.
Many people with ADHD also have comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric conditions can cause or reduce the effectiveness of some treatments for ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbidity first and then monitor its response to medication prior to beginning treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life and establish routines that are predictable that help you manage your money and time and build confidence in yourself. It can help you learn ways to relax that could reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can help you focus by stabilizing your body during various poses.
Marriage and family counseling can help address the issues that adults suffering from ADHD frequently 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. Classes and therapy in which spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you develop better relationships. Additionally, it can help you and your loved ones realize that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD instead of an absence of care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is very common. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. The use of medication and psychosocial interventions is available as treatments. A variety of medications are available for adults suffering from ADHD and a few of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted both the advantages and drawbacks of the medication.
Adults with ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, however it isn't always easy to identify them since childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. Adults with ADHD may also not have a family history of the disorder, or may not remember symptoms. A thorough medical history is necessary to determine if the symptoms are due to an illness such as a thyroid problem or sleep apnea. It could also be due to vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants are the most effective drugs to treat adults suffering from ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80 percent range. The most popular stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal device. This allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants that work on dopamine and norepinephrine. 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 should be increased by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant which has been proven to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist and works by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter, thereby increasing its availability in the brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults, but it is not as effective as stimulants in improving concentration or cognitive function.