ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurological disorder that affects 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, and substance abuse) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Both medication and psychotherapy are effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are among the most frequently prescribed medications.
Medicines
Many adults suffering from ADHD experience significant improvements in symptoms and performance as a result of medication. Because of the different ways people respond to medications it is essential for those with ADHD to discover a combination that works best.
Stimulants, like amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most frequently 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 augment an immediate-release medicine with an extended-release long-acting medicine at least every week to decrease the requirement to take it regularly throughout the day.
Desipramine and other antidepressants have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of drugs may be employed in conjunction with stimulants or on their own to boost their effects. They can also increase the risk of serious adverse consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like alprazolam as well as clonidine are used for the treatment of adults with ADHD. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming affect and may improve focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in some adults. However, these medications can result in a drop in blood pressure if they are suddenly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy can help them deal with feelings of shame and embarrassment about their ADHD, as well as anger toward supervisors, colleagues teachers, and family members who might nag or criticize them. Family and marriage counseling is also a great way to help couples with ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by teaching strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also assist people who suffer from ADHD overcome low self-esteem and sense of failure that is often associated with this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that cause difficulties in their lives and to develop new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has proven to be effective in treating a variety of disorders, including depression and anxiety. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments or alone.
CBT may include group therapy, which is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD as it offers the opportunity to meet others who have similar struggles and to discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or over the phone. One study compared the effects of CBT against traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvements in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD and have all shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect size. These improvements were associated with diverse modalities like cognitive and interpersonal therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
It is important to compare the efficacy between different treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that the differences in the outcomes result from a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics and measures used. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness neurofeedback. adhd in adults untreated involves wearing a hat with electrodes while performing cognitive tasks to pinpoint brain areas in which there is a lack or excess of activity. The person 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 to address these issues, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy approaches that can aid in improving a person’s ability to resolve conflicts and develop lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behavior that can cause difficulties at school or at work.
In certain cases psychotherapy may be utilized as an adjunct to medications for adult adhd in adults treatment. Patients with comorbid disorders such as depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder need to be assessed to ensure that their symptoms aren't made worse by the medications used to treat ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and seizures in the past, have to be treated more aggressively as they are at higher risk of developing complications from the medication.
If ADHD is serious enough to affect the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs might be suggested. These programs provide structured treatment that is more intensive than traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, executive function, and planning. It helps them understand and express their feelings and uses worksheets and activities to make the learning more interesting. The training in mindfulness meditation improves CBT and improves the ability of a person to concentrate and manage emotions. It also enhances an individual's ability to tolerate anxiety and stress. It can assist them in dealing with anger, sadness and other emotions that could be causing their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD often have difficulties functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and could cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you boost your self-esteem, solve underlying problems and develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment is an effective treatment for adults with ADHD, as it helps them to alter their negative beliefs and behavior. It concentrates on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions that can cause negative moods, and the perception that there are only a few options.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from anxiety or depression. These psychiatric disorders can reduce or increase the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. It is therefore recommended that you first treat the most severe comorbidity and then observe its reaction to the medication prior treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life, establish predictable routines, manage your money and time and create a positive image of yourself. It will also help you learn relaxation techniques that can reduce your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Similarly yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing the body in various poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can address the issues adults with ADHD often cause their spouses, children and other family members. They frequently complain of being erratic and unorganized. They are also prone to forget things or make impulsive choices. Therapy and classes where spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you develop more harmonious relationships. Furthermore it can help you and your loved ones realize that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD rather than to a lack of caring or a willful refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly frequent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. There are a variety of treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in studies. These studies have revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the various medications.
Adults who suffer from ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, however it can be difficult to recognize them since childhood symptoms may not persist until adulthood. Adults with ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder or might not remember the symptoms. A thorough medical history is necessary to determine if the symptoms are caused by an illness such as thyroid issues or sleep apnea, 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 within the 70-80% range. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate may also be administered via a transdermal system. This allows for continuous medication delivery during the daytime.
Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants which work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine is the most studied tricyclic and has been shown to be effective in adult patients with ADHD. It is a low dose medication and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant which has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that blocks the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic transporter, thereby increasing its presence in the brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults, however it isn't as effective as stimulants in improving cognitive performance or concentration.