ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurological disorder that affects 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of co-morbidity (depression, anxiety, addiction to drugs) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Medications and psychotherapy are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medications
Many people with ADHD have significant improvements in their symptoms and performance due to medication. It is essential that those who suffer from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that works for them.
Stimulants, including methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most frequently prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. best treatment for adhd in adults are available in liquid or tablet form in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. Some adults supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medication used once per day to decrease the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been proven to be effective in treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of drugs can be used by itself or in conjunction with stimulants to boost their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious adverse effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam or clonidine. They are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming affect and can help improve focus and reduce the amount of hyperactivity and impulsivity in certain adults. However, these medications can cause a very low blood pressure if they are abruptly cut off or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual talk therapy can help them cope with their feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD as well as anger towards supervisors, coworkers, teachers and family members who may nag or criticize them. Additionally counseling for marriage and families can help couples with ADHD understand each other's problems and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD overcome low self-esteem and feeling of failure that often accompanies this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy assists people in changing their negative thoughts and feelings that are causing problems in their lives. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for many disorders, including depression and anxiety. It can be used on its own or in combination with other treatments.
CBT can include group therapy. This is especially beneficial for adults with ADHD because it enables them to connect with other people who face similar challenges and learn how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to standard therapy for adults who have ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report measures such as symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
Numerous studies have evaluated CBT with other psychosocial treatments for people with ADHD and have all shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were attributed to various modalities that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is advised in comparing the efficacy of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is possible that the differences in the outcomes are due to a variety of factors, including the treatment characteristics and the measures used. Few studies have examined the effectiveness neurofeedback. This method involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while performing cognitive tasks in order to determine brain regions where there is a lack or excess of activity. The individual is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these problems, which may be contributing to the ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to enhance the capacity of individuals to establish meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behaviors that could create problems at work or school.
In certain cases, psychotherapy can be used in conjunction with medication for adults adhd treatment. People with comorbid conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs should be evaluated with care to ensure that they do not have symptoms that are not improved by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and seizures in the past, have to be treated with more vigor because they are at higher risk of developing complications from the medications.
In-depth outpatient programs could be recommended when the person's ADHD is so severe that it significantly affects their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide structured therapy that is more intense than traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD enhance their ability to manage their time and impulse control, planning, and executive function. It teaches them to recognize and express feelings and uses exercises and worksheets to make the learning interesting. Meditation training that is mindful enhances CBT and enhances the ability of a person to concentrate and manage their emotions. It enhances the capacity of a person to manage stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing 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 issues can interfere with relationships and could lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you to improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It can also assist you in developing healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches you how to modify your negative thoughts and behaviors. It concentrates on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions which can lead to negative moods and the perception of limited possibilities.
Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or decrease the effectiveness of certain treatments for ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbidity first and monitor its response to medication prior to attempting treatment for the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your life and work and establish routines that are predictable that help you manage your time and money, and develop an optimistic image of yourself. It can help you master techniques for relaxation that can reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Similarly yoga and other exercises can help you improve your focus by stabilizing the body in different poses.
Family and marriage counseling can help adults with ADHD to overcome the problems they create for their spouses, kids and other family members. They often complain of being erratic and unorganized. They are also prone to forget things or make impulsive choices. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are educated on ADHD can help you establish healthier relationships. Additionally it can help you and your loved ones to understand that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD rather than the lack of compassion or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is highly common. It is often associated with co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medication interventions. A wide range of medications are available for adults with ADHD and some of them have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and limitations of the various medications.
Adults who suffer from ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, however it isn't always easy to identify them since childhood symptoms may not persist into adulthood. Adults who suffer from ADHD might not have an ancestral background of the disorder or may not be aware of symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to help determine whether the symptoms are due to an illness such as a thyroid problem or sleep apnea, vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants have the highest response rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their response rates range from 70 to 70% to 80%. The most popular stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also available in a transdermal system which permits continuous supply of medication throughout the day.
Nonstimulant drugs for adults with ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants which work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic, and has been proven to be effective in adult patients with ADHD. It is a medication with a low dose that is recommended to be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a second antidepressant which has been proven to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that is able to block the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic transportation system, thus increasing its use in the brain. This drug has been shown to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults, but it isn't as effective as stimulants in improving cognitive performance or concentration.