ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent disorder of the nervous system that affects 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied with a high rate of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, and significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Medications and psychotherapy are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed drugs.
Medications
Many adults suffering from ADHD notice significant improvements in symptoms and functioning due to medications. Because of the different ways people respond to medications it is essential for those with ADHD to discover a combination that is effective.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants, such as methylphenidate or amphetamines. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Some adults supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or longer-acting drug taken once a day to lessen the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Antidepressants such as desipramine have also been found to be effective in treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of medications can be used alone or in combination with stimulants to increase their effects. However, they may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects like a rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and can improve focus, and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in certain adults. However, these drugs can result in a drop in blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Adults suffering from ADHD are also able to benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them cope with feelings of shame and embarrassment about their ADHD, as well as resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, and family members who may nag or criticize them. Additionally counseling for marriage and families can help couples with ADHD be able to recognize each other's challenges and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can help individuals who suffer from ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the sense of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists individuals in changing the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives. It also helps to discover new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating many disorders, such as depression and anxiety. It can be used by itself or in combination with other therapies.
CBT can involve group therapy, which can be particularly beneficial for people with ADHD as it offers the opportunity to interact with other people who have similar struggles and to learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be offered in person or via phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults who have ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report measures like symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for people with ADHD, and all show significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were linked to various modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving exercises and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is advised when comparing the effectiveness of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is likely that differences in outcomes results are due to a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics and measures employed. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing a hat with electrodes while performing cognitive tasks to determine brain regions where there is a lack or excess of activity. The person is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD also suffer from comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that need treatment. Counseling can address these problems that may be contributing ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy approaches that can help improve the ability of individuals to resolve conflicts and develop meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control self-destructive, impulsive, and negative behaviors that can cause problems at school or work.
In certain cases psychotherapy may be used as an adjunct to medications for adult ADHD treatment for adults. People who have comorbid conditions like bipolar disorder, and substance abuse should be evaluated with care to ensure that they do not have symptoms that cannot be improved by the medication used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, need to be treated with more vigor.
If ADHD is serious enough to affect everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs might be suggested. These programs offer a more intense and structured treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of cognitive therapy, helps adults with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as planning and executive functioning. It helps them understand and express their feelings. It utilizes worksheets and activities to make the learning more engaging. The practice of mindfulness meditation improves CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to focus and manage emotions. It also enhances an individual's ability to tolerate stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with anger, sadness and other emotional issues which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. These symptoms can also affect relationships and lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help increase self-esteem, address the root causes of your issues and develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches you how to change your negative beliefs and behavior. It concentrates on teaching time management techniques and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that can cause negative moods, and the perception that there are only a few possibilities.
Many adults with ADHD also have comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or even increase the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and observe the effect of medication prior to beginning treatment for the other condition.
Occupational therapy can teach you methods to organize your life and your work, create routines that are predictable, manage time and money, and create an optimistic self-image. It can also help you learn relaxation methods that may reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can also help you concentration by stabilizing your body in various postures.
adhd treatment for adults medication for families and marriage can help adults with ADHD to overcome the problems they create for their spouses, kids and others. They frequently complain of being unreliable and disorganized. They often forget things or make impulsive decisions. Classes and therapy in which spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you establish better relationships. Moreover, it can aid you and your loved ones understand 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 prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is often accompanied by co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatments. There are a range of treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Some of these medications have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of the medication.
Adults who suffer from ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, but it can be difficult to identify them since childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder in their family or they may not remember experiencing symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to help determine whether the symptoms are caused by a medical condition like thyroid problems, sleep apnea, vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. The stimulants have the highest response rates for adults suffering from ADHD. Their response rates vary from 70 to 80percent. The most frequently used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate may also be administered via a transdermal system. 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 is the most researched tricyclic drug and has been proven to be effective in adult patients with ADHD. It is a low dose medication which should be increased each seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL another antidepressant, has been proven to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and is able to block the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its use in the brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults. However, it is not as effective as stimulants in improving cognitive performance or concentration.