ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the general population. It is accompanied with high rates of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse as well as significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Both medication and psychotherapy are effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed drugs.
Medicines
Many people with ADHD notice significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning when they take medication. Due to the many different ways that people react to medications, it is crucial for people with ADHD to discover a combination that works best.
Stimulants, such as 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. Some adults may supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or longer-acting drug taken once a day to decrease the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Desipramine and other antidepressants have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of drugs can be employed together with stimulants or on their own to boost their effects. However, they can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, such as rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, can have an calming effect and are able to improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulsivity in certain adults. However, these medications can result in a drop in blood pressure if they are suddenly cut off or reduced in dosage.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them cope with feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD, as well as resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, family members and others who may nag or criticize them. In addition counseling for marriage and families can help couples suffering from ADHD understand each other's problems and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to teach strategies and techniques that enhance functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can help individuals with ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the sense of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavioral therapy assists people to change negative thoughts and emotions that are causing problems in their lives. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating many illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used by itself or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for adults with ADHD because it enables them to connect with others who face similar challenges and learn how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to the standard treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures such as symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
CBT has been studied in comparison to other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD. All of these studies demonstrate significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes ranging from medium to large. These improvements were attributed to a variety of modalities such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving and mindfulness meditation.
It is important to compare the effectiveness of different treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. It is possible 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 an electrode-lined hat while doing cognitive tasks to determine brain regions where there is a lack or excess of activity. The individual then learns to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which could contribute to ADHD symptoms. adhd treatment for adults near me is among the psychotherapy approaches which can improve the ability of individuals to resolve conflicts and develop meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to transform negative behaviors and assist in reducing self-destructive and impulsive behaviors which can lead to issues at work or school.
In some instances psychotherapy can be utilized as an adjunct to medications for adult adhd treatment for adults. People with comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder, and substance abuse must be assessed carefully to ensure they do not have symptoms that cannot be ameliorated by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and seizures in the past, need to be treated more aggressively as they are more at risk of complications from medication.
When ADHD is serious enough to affect everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs might be recommended. These programs offer structured treatment that is more intensive than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of cognitive therapy, helps adults with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive functioning. It helps them recognize and express their feelings and utilizes worksheets and activities to make the learning more interesting. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT and enhances a person's ability to focus and regulate their emotions. It also increases a person's capacity to manage anxiety and stress. It can help them deal with anger, sadness and other difficult emotions that may be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. These issues can also impact relationships and can lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you build confidence in yourself and solve the underlying issues. It will also help you develop healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and helps them to alter their negative attitudes and behaviours. It is focused on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that contribute to negative moods, and the perception of a limited number of choices.
Many people with ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or reduce the effectiveness of certain drugs used to treat ADHD. It is recommended that you first treat the most severe comorbidity and then monitor its reaction to the medication prior treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can teach you how to manage your life and your work, establish predictable routines, manage time and money, and create an optimistic self-image. It can help you master techniques for relaxation that can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. In the same way yoga and other exercises can help you improve your focus by stabilizing your body in different poses.
Family and marriage counseling can address the issues adults suffering from ADHD frequently cause their spouses, children and others. They frequently complain that they are unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and often prone to making impulsive choices. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you establish more harmonious relationships. It can aid you and your family members understand that the problems are caused by ADHD and not an inability to care or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is very frequent. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression 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 tested in studies. These studies have highlighted the strengths and drawbacks of the drugs.
Adults with ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children do, but it can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD may not have a history of the disorder in their family or they may not remember having symptoms. A thorough medical history is necessary to help determine whether the symptoms are caused by a medical condition such as thyroid issues, sleep apnea, vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants have the highest response rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their responsiveness rates range between 70 and 70% to 80%. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also accessible in a transdermal system which allows for a continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that are based on norepinephrine, or dopamine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic, and has been proven to be effective in adult patients with ADHD. It is a low dose medicine and should be increased by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, was shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which is effective in blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. The drug is known to boost mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity however it's not as effective in improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.