ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known disorder of the nervous system that affects 44% of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression and substance abuse as well as significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Both psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medications
Many people who suffer from ADHD report significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning in response to medications. Because of the different ways that people react to medications, it is important for individuals with ADHD to determine a mix that is effective.
adhd in adults characterization diagnosis and treatment , like methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most commonly prescribed drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. These stimulants are available in liquid or tablet form in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Adults may supplement an immediate-release medicine with an extended release, long-acting medicine once a week to reduce the necessity to take it regularly throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can be treated effectively with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of drugs may be employed in conjunction with stimulants or in isolation to boost their effects. However, they may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, such as rapid heartbeat, 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 are calming and may improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in some adults. However, these medications can result in a drop in blood pressure if they are suddenly removed or reduced in dosage.
Adults with ADHD are also able to benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them cope with their feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD and anger toward supervisors, colleagues 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
One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to help people learn strategies and techniques that enhance function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help people with ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the feeling of inadequacy they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that cause difficulties in their lives and to learn new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as doing. This short-term and goal-oriented therapy has been proven effective in treating many illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with other treatments or on its own.
CBT may involve group therapy, which can be particularly helpful for adults with ADHD as it offers the opportunity to interact with other people who are facing similar issues and discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or over the phone. One study compared the results of CBT against conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvement in self-report assessments of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
A number of 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 various modalities such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is warranted when comparing the effectiveness of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is likely that the different outcomes of the treatments reflect a number of variables that include the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used and the background of the patient. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to identify areas in the brain where there is too much or little activity. Then, instructing the person to manage these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD also suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help with these issues, which may be contributing to the ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to enhance the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to alter negative behaviors and assist in managing self-destructive and impulsive behaviors that can cause problems at school or work.
In certain cases psychotherapy may be utilized in conjunction with medication for adults adhd treatment. People with multiple disorders like depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder need to be assessed to ensure that their symptoms aren't made worse by medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history or seizures, need to be treated more aggressively.
Outpatient intensive programs may be suggested if the individual's ADHD is so severe that it interferes with their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide structured treatment that is more intense than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of cognitive therapy, aids people with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive function. adhd in adults untreated helps them recognize and express their emotions, and it uses activities and worksheets to make the lessons interesting. Mindfulness meditation training improves CBT and enhances a person's ability to focus and control their emotions. It also improves a person's ability to tolerate stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger, and other emotional issues that 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 can lead to financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you increase self-esteem, address underlying problems and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and teaches them how to change their negative beliefs and behaviors. It is focused on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions which can cause negative moods, and the perception that there are only a few choices.
Many adults with ADHD also suffer from comorbid anxiety or depression. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or diminish the effectiveness of some drugs used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended to treat the most severe comorbid condition and then observe its reaction to the medication prior treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life by establishing predictable routines, control your time and money and build confidence in yourself. It will also help you learn relaxation techniques that could decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can also aid in improving your focus by stabilizing your body during various postures.
Counseling for families and marriage can assist adults suffering from ADHD to solve the problems they cause their children, spouses and other family members. They frequently complain of being unreliable and disorganized. They are also prone to forget things or make impulsive decisions. You can build stronger relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. Furthermore, it can aid you and your loved ones to understand that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD rather than an absence of care or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a frequent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. A wide range of medications are available to adults suffering from ADHD and a few of them have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and limitations of the medications.
Adults who suffer from ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children do, but it is difficult to identify because childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD may not have a history of the disorder in their family or they may not remember having symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to help determine whether the symptoms are caused by medical conditions like thyroid problems or sleep apnea, issues with vision and hearing or lead poisoning.
Treatments for adults suffering from ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants have the highest reaction rates for adults suffering from ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness vary from 70 to 80percent. The most commonly used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal device. This allows for continuous medication delivery during the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that are based on norepinephrine, or dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been proven to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low-dose medication that should be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is noticed.
Bupropion XL is another antidepressant which has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter, thereby increasing its use in the brain. The drug is known to improve the mood of adults and reduce hyperactivity, however, it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive function as stimulants.