ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression, anxiety, addiction to drugs) and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most commonly prescribed medications are stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults suffering from ADHD notice significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning due to medication. Due to the various ways that people react to medications, it is essential for those with ADHD to discover a combination that is effective.
Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed medications for adults with ADHD. best treatment for adhd in adults are available as tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. Adults can augment an immediate-release medication with an extended-release, long-acting medicine once a week to reduce the necessity to take it frequently throughout the day.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been found to be effective in the treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of medications can be employed in conjunction with stimulants or alone to enhance their effects. However, they could increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects such as rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam as well as clonidine are utilized to treat adults with ADHD. These drugs were initially developed to treat hypertension. They are calming and can improve focus, and reduce the amount of hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. These medications can cause extremely low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is reduced.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help them cope with their feelings of shame and embarrassment about their ADHD as well as resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, family members and others who may nag or criticize them. Additionally counseling for marriage and families can help couples suffering from ADHD be able to recognize each other's challenges and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to help people learn strategies and skills that help improve function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help people with ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the sense of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavior therapy, helps people change their negative thoughts and emotions that are causing problems in their lives. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for many illnesses, including depression and anxiety. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or alone.
CBT may also include group therapy. This is especially beneficial for those suffering from ADHD because it allows them to connect with others who have similar struggles and learn how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or via phone. In one study, CBT was compared to standard therapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report indicators like symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
CBT has been studied in comparison to other psychosocial treatments in adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies have shown significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes that range from moderate to large. These improvements were associated with various modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy, social skills training, problem solving training, as well as mindfulness mediation.
It is important to compare the effectiveness of different treatments for adult ADHD with caution. It is likely that the variations in the outcomes are due to a variety of variables such as the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used as well as the backgrounds of the patients. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas of the brain where there is too much or little activity - and then teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues which may be causing ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy approaches which can improve the ability of individuals to manage conflicts and create 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 certain cases psychotherapy may be utilized in combination with medication for adults adhd treatment. People with co-occurring disorders like substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder must be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms aren't made worse through the use of medications to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history or seizures, need to be treated more aggressively.
If ADHD is severe enough to interfere with everyday functioning and quality of life, intensive outpatient programs may be suggested. These programs provide more intense and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of cognitive therapy, assists people with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time planning, impulse control and executive function. It helps them understand and express emotions and utilizes worksheets and activities to make the lessons interesting. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT and improves the ability of a person to concentrate and regulate their emotions. It improves the ability of a person's ability to handle the effects of stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with anger, sadness, and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting their work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and can result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you increase self-esteem, address the root causes of your issues and develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps you change your negative beliefs and behaviors. It is focused on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions that can cause negative moods, and the perception of a limited number of possibilities.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or reduce the effectiveness of some treatments for ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and then monitor the response to treatment prior to attempting treatment for the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you learn ways to organize your life and your work, establish regular routines, manage your money and time and develop confidence in yourself. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that can decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your concentration by stabilizing your body in different poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can help adults with ADHD to solve the problems they cause their children, spouses and other family members. They frequently complain of being unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and often prone to making impulsive choices. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you develop healthier relationships. It can help you and your family members realize that the issues are caused by ADHD, rather than an inability to care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that is very prevalent. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatment options. There are a variety of medications available to adults suffering from ADHD and a few of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and drawbacks of the drugs.
Adults with ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children have, but it's difficult to identify because childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD may not have a history of the disorder in their families or may not be aware of having symptoms. It is important to have an extensive medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are due to a medical condition, like thyroid issues such as sleep apnea, sleep apnea and vision problems.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80% range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be administered via a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants which work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, the most studied tricyclic, has been shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose drug and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every seven days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant that has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake at the presynaptic transportationer, increasing its availability in brain. This drug has been proven to improve the mood of adults and reduce hyperactivity however it's not as effective at improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.