ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurological disorder that affects around 4,4 percent of the population. It is associated with a high rate of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression and substance abuse as well as significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed drugs.
Medicines
Many people who suffer from ADHD report significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning in response to medication. Due to the many different ways that people respond to medication, it is important for individuals with ADHD to determine a mix that works best.
Stimulants, like amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. They are available in 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 medicine with an extended-release long-acting medicine at least once a week to reduce the need to take it often throughout the day.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been found to be effective in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of drugs can be utilized in conjunction with stimulants or on their own to boost their effects. They may also increase the danger of serious side effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like alprazolam and clonidine are also used to treat adults with ADHD. These drugs, initially developed to treat high blood pressure, can have an calming effect and are able to increase focus and reduce the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among certain adults. These medications can result in very low blood pressure when they suddenly stop, or the dosage is decreased.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy helps them deal with feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment towards co-workers and supervisors, teachers and family members who may criticize or nag them. Marriage and family counseling is a great method to help couples with ADHD better understand each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by teaching skills and strategies. adhd treatment adults can help those who suffer from ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the sense of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives. It also helps to discover new ways of thinking, feeling and doing. This short-term and goal-oriented therapy has been proven to be effective in treating various illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments or on its own.
CBT can involve group therapy, which can be especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD as it offers the opportunity to meet others who are facing similar issues and learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or over the phone. One study compared the effects of CBT with that of conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvement in self-report assessments of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for people with ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were associated with various modalities, including 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 outcome results reflect a number of variables that include the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used as well as the backgrounds of the patients. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while performing cognitive tasks to identify brain areas where there is excessive or insufficient activity. The person then learns to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can address these problems that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. More suggestions include the use of interpersonal therapy to improve a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to change negative behavior and help manage impulsive and self-destructive behaviors that can cause problems at school or work.
In certain situations psychotherapy may be utilized in conjunction with medication for adults with adhd treatment. Patients with comorbid disorders such as depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder must be assessed to ensure their symptoms aren't aggravated through the use of medications to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history or seizures, must be treated with more vigor.
Intensive outpatient programs might be suggested if the individual's ADHD is so severe that it significantly hinders their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer an organized treatment that is more intense than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD enhance their ability to manage their time, impulse control, planning, and executive function. It helps them identify and express their emotions and utilizes worksheets and activities to make the lessons more interesting. Meditation training that is mindful enhances CBT, and it improves a person's ability to focus and regulate their emotions. It increases the capacity of a person to manage anxiety and stress. It can help them cope with sadness, anger and other emotions that could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. In addition to impacting work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and could result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you to improve your self-esteem and resolve underlying problems. It can also assist you in developing healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD, as it helps them to alter their negative beliefs and behaviours. It concentrates on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions that can cause negative moods, and the perception that there are only a few choices.
Many people with ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric disorders can reduce or increase the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. It is recommended to treat the most severe comorbidity and then monitor its reaction to the medication prior treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you learn how to manage your life and work, create routines that are predictable, manage money and time and develop an optimistic self-image. It can help you learn techniques for relaxation that can reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Similarly yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your focus by ensuring your body is stable in different postures.
Marriage and family counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to overcome the problems they create for their children, spouses and others. They often complain about being insecure, unorganized, and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. You can strengthen relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. It can also help you and your family members understand that the problems are caused by ADHD instead of an inability to care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is extremely common. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication treatments are available as treatments. There are many medications available for adults with ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and drawbacks of the drugs.
Adults with ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, however it can be difficult to recognize them since childhood symptoms may not persist until adulthood. Adults with ADHD may also not have any family background of the disorder or may not be aware of symptoms. It is important to have an extensive medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are related to a medical condition, like thyroid issues or sleep apnea, and vision problems.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. The stimulants have the highest response rates for adults with ADHD. Their response rates range from 70 to 80%. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be administered through a transdermal system. This allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.
Adults with ADHD can take non-stimulant drugs that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, the most studied tricyclic, has been proven to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication and should be increased by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a second antidepressant which has been proven to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its use in the brain. This drug has been proven to improve the mood of adults and decrease hyperactivity, however it's not as effective at improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.