ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common disorder of the nervous system that affects around 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression, anxiety, substance abuse) and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Both psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medications
Many people with ADHD have seen significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning in response to medications. It is crucial that people suffering from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that works for them.
Stimulants, including amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid forms and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Some adults can supplement their immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medicine taken once a day to lessen the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can be successfully treated with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of drugs can be employed in conjunction with stimulants or on their own to boost their effects. However, they may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, such as a rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like alprazolam and clonidine are also utilized to treat people suffering from ADHD. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, have the ability to calm and improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. These medications can lead to very low blood pressure when they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is decreased.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults with ADHD. Individual talk therapy can help them deal with feelings of shame and embarrassment over their ADHD as well as resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, family members and others who may nag or criticize them. Counseling for families and marriage is also a great way to help couples suffering from ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to impart skills and strategies that improve functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and feelings 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 learn new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as acting. This short-term and goal-oriented therapy has been proven to be effective in treating many conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or on its own.
CBT may involve group therapy, which can be especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD because it gives the chance to connect with others with similar challenges and to discover 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 suffering from ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report measures like symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
Several studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD, and all show significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were attributed to diverse approaches such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
It is essential to assess the efficacy between different treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that the differences in outcome results reflect a number of variables such as treatment characteristics, measures used and the background of the patient. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, an approach that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while performing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas of the brain where there is too much or too little activity, and instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include interpersonal therapy to enhance a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behaviors that can create difficulties at school or at work.
In certain situations psychotherapy is sometimes used in conjunction with medications for adults adhd treatment. People with co-occurring disorders like substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder must be assessed to ensure that their symptoms are not worsened through the use of medications to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, must be treated with more vigor.
Outpatient intensive programs may be recommended when the person's ADHD is so severe that it hinders their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide an organized 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 it uses exercises and worksheets to make the learning interesting. The practice of mindfulness meditation enhances CBT and improves the ability of a person to focus and manage emotions. It increases the capacity of a person's ability to handle stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger and other emotions that could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. These symptoms can also affect relationships and cause financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you build confidence in yourself and address the root of the issue. It can also assist you in developing healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults with ADHD because it teaches them how to change their negative beliefs and behaviours. Particularly, it concentrates on teaching you to use strategies for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and the perception of a limited selection.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have comorbid anxiety or depression. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or even increase the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. It is therefore recommended to treat the most severe comorbidity and then observe its response to the medication prior to treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you learn ways to organize your life and your work, set up predictable routines, manage time and money and build an optimistic self-image. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that could decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your concentration by stabilizing your body during different poses.
Family and marriage counseling can address the issues people with ADHD frequently create for their spouses, children and their families. They frequently complain that they are insecure, unorganized, and prone to making impulsive decisions. You can strengthen relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. It can also help you and your family members to understand that the problems are caused by ADHD instead of the lack of care or a refusal to cooperate.
Full File is a neurobiological disorder which is extremely frequent. It is often accompanied by other disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in trials. These studies have revealed the advantages and drawbacks of the drugs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD may have the same symptoms as children do, but it can be difficult to determine because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD may also not have an ancestral history of the disorder or might not remember the symptoms. It is crucial to take an extensive medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are due to an illness, like thyroid issues, sleep apnea or hearing and vision problems.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants are the most effective medications to treat adults suffering from ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80% range. The most commonly used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate is also available as a transdermal solution, which permits continuous drug delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants that work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic and has been shown to be effective in adult patients suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose medicine and should be increased by 50 mg every seven days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL, another antidepressant, has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake in the presynaptic cellular transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. This drug has been proven to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity but it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.