ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent neurological disorder that affects 44% of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of co-morbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, alcohol abuse) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people with ADHD experience significant improvements in symptoms and functioning due to medication. Due to the various ways that people react to medications, it is essential for those with ADHD to find a combination that is effective.
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. Adults can augment an immediate-release medicine with an extended release long-acting medication every week to lessen the necessity to take it frequently throughout the day.
Desipramine and other antidepressants have also been proven to be effective in treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of drugs can be used by itself or in combination with stimulants to enhance their effects. They can also increase the risk of serious adverse effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam or clonidine. They are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, possess a calming effect and can enhance focus and decrease the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in certain adults. However, these medications could result in a drop in blood pressure when they are abruptly cut off or reduced in dosage.
Adults with ADHD are also able to benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy helps them deal with feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment toward coworkers, supervisors, teachers, and family members that might nitpick or criticize them. Family and marriage counseling is also a great way to help couples with ADHD better understand each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can also help people who suffer from ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and sense of failure that is often associated with this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy, assists people in changing their negative thoughts and feelings that are causing problems in their lives. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. It can be used by itself or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT can include group therapy, which is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD, as it provides 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 delivered in person or via the phone. One study compared the effects of CBT with that of traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvements in self-report measures of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared to other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms and effects, with sizes between medium and large. 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 treatments for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that the different outcomes of the treatments reflect a number of variables that include treatment characteristics, measures employed as well as the backgrounds of the patients. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This method involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while performing cognitive tasks to determine brain regions where there is excessive or insufficient activity. The person then learns to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD also suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues which may be causing ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to enhance the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control self-destructive, impulsive, and negative behaviors that could create problems at school or work.
In some cases psychotherapy may be utilized in combination with medication for adults adhd treatment. People with multiple disorders like depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder need to be assessed to ensure that their symptoms are not worsened through the use of medications to treat ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and seizures in the past, have to be treated with more vigor because they are at a higher risk of developing complications from the medications.
Outpatient intensive programs may 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 therapy that is more intense than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
adhd treatment for older adults (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD improve their abilities to manage time management, impulse control, organizing, and executive function. It teaches them to recognize and express feelings, and it uses activities and worksheets to make the lessons interesting. The practice of mindfulness meditation enhances CBT and improves the ability of a person to concentrate and regulate emotions. It also enhances an individual's ability to tolerate anxiety and stress. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger, and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to impacting work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and can cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you to improve your self-esteem and resolve underlying problems. It can also help you develop healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps you modify your negative thoughts and behaviors. It is focused on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions that can cause negative moods, and the perception of a limited number of options.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or reduce the effectiveness of some treatments for ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and monitor its response to medication before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you learn methods to organize your life and your work, establish predictable routines, manage time and money, and create confidence in yourself. It can help you learn relaxation methods that may reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. In the same way, yoga and other exercise can help you improve 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 other family members. They often complain of being unreliable and disorganized. They are also prone to forget things or make impulsive decisions. You can strengthen your relationships by educating your spouses and family members about ADHD. Additionally it can help you and your loved ones to understand that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD instead of an absence of care or a willful refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly frequent neurobiological disorder. It is often associated with other disorders that are comorbid, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. The use of medication and psychosocial interventions is available as treatments. There are a range of medication options for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in trials. These studies have highlighted both the strengths and the limitations of the drugs.
Adults with ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, but it can be difficult to identify them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist until adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their family or may not be aware of experiencing symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to help determine whether the symptoms are caused by a medical condition such as a thyroid problem or sleep apnea, issues with vision and hearing or lead poisoning.
Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medications for treating adults with ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are within the 70-80% range. The most frequently used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate can also be found in a transdermal system, which permits continuous drug delivery throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that are based on norepinephrine, or dopamine. Desipramine is one of the most studied tricyclic and has been shown to be effective in adult patients suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose medication that is recommended to be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL, another antidepressant, has been shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that works by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its presence in the brain. The drug is known to improve mood in adults and decrease hyperactivity, however, it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.