ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent disorder of the nervous system that affects 44% of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity. This includes depression, anxiety and substance abuse as well as significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Medications and psychotherapy are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed drugs.
Medications
Many adults with ADHD have seen significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning when they take medication. Due to the various ways that people react to medications, it is crucial for people with ADHD to find a combination that works best.
Stimulants, like amphetamines and methylphenidate, are the most commonly prescribed medications for adults with ADHD. They are available in tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Some adults may supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medication taken once a day to decrease the requirement for frequent doses 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 together with stimulants or alone to enhance their effects. However, they may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects like rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as alprazolam and clonidine are also used to treat people suffering from ADHD. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They are calming and can improve focus, and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in some adults. However, these medications could cause a very low blood pressure when they are suddenly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help those with ADHD deal with feelings of shame, embarrassment and resentment towards co-workers and supervisors, teachers, and family members that might nitpick or criticize them. In addition, marriage and family counseling can help couples with ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
The primary goal of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to teach strategies and skills that help improve performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help those who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the sense of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy, assists people to change negative thoughts and emotions that cause problems in their life. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for a variety of conditions such as anxiety and depression. It can be used by itself or in combination with other treatments.
CBT may involve group therapy, which can be particularly beneficial for people with ADHD as it offers the opportunity to interact with other people who are facing similar issues and learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be offered in person or via phone. One study compared the effects of CBT in comparison to conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and discovered that both treatments resulted in 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 have all shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were attributed to diverse modalities like cognitive and interpersonal therapy as well as social skills training, problem-solving training, and mindfulness mediation.
However, caution is warranted when comparing the effectiveness of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is likely that the differences in outcomes results are due to a range of factors, including the treatment characteristics and measures used. Few studies have examined the effectiveness neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing a hat with electrodes while performing cognitive tasks in order to pinpoint brain areas in which there is a lack or excess of activity. The person then learns to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues, which could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to improve a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to change negative behavior and help manage self-destructive and impulsive behaviors which can lead to issues at work or school.
In some cases, psychotherapy can be used in combination with medication for adults adhd treatment. People who have comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder and substance abuse should be evaluated with care to ensure that they do not have symptoms that cannot be ameliorated by the medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, need to be treated with more vigor.
When ADHD is severe enough to interfere with daily functioning and quality-of-life intensive outpatient programs could be suggested. non medication treatment for adhd adults provide an organized treatment that is more intensive than traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD enhance their ability to manage their time, impulse control, executive function, and planning. It teaches them to recognize and express emotions and utilizes worksheets and activities to make the learning interesting. Meditation training that is mindful enhances CBT, and it improves the ability of people to concentrate and regulate their emotions. It increases the capacity of a person to tolerate anxiety and stress. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that could be causing their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. These symptoms can also affect relationships and cause financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you improve your self-esteem and resolve underlying problems. It can also assist you in developing healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps them change their negative attitudes and behaviors. It is focused on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions which contribute to negative moods, and the perception of a limited number of options.
Many adults with ADHD also suffer from comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or diminish the effectiveness of some drugs used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then observe its reaction to the medication prior treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you learn methods to organize your life and work, establish predictable routines, manage money and time and develop confidence in yourself. It can help you master relaxation methods that may reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Additionally, yoga and other exercise can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing your body in various poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can address the issues adults suffering from ADHD often create for their spouses, children and other family members. They often complain about being erratic and unorganized. They also tend to forget things or make impulsive decisions. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you develop more harmonious relationships. Furthermore it can aid you and your loved ones understand that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD rather than the lack of compassion or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is highly prevalent. It is often associated with other disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety, depression 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 these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of the drugs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD may have the same symptoms as children have, but it's difficult to determine because childhood symptoms might not persist in adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their families or they may not even remember experiencing symptoms. It is important to have a thorough medical history to determine if the symptoms are caused by 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 to treat adults suffering from ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80 percent range. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be administered through a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery during the day.
Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that work on dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine, the most studied tricyclic, has been shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication and should be increased by 50 mg every seven days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant that has been shown to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake at the presynaptic transportationer and increasing its presence in the brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults, but it isn't as effective as stimulants in improving cognitive performance or concentration.