ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4% of the general population. It is accompanied by high levels of co-morbidity (depression, anxiety, substance abuse) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed medications.
Medicines
Many people who suffer from ADHD have seen significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning in response to medications. It is essential that those suffering from ADHD find the combination of medication that works for them.
Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, are the most frequently prescribed drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. These stimulants 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 every week to decrease the need to take it frequently throughout the day.
Desipramine and other antidepressants have also been found to be effective in treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of drugs may be used in conjunction with stimulants, or alone to enhance their effects. They can also increase the risk of serious side effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam or clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They are calming and can help improve focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in certain adults. However, these drugs can cause a very low blood pressure when they are abruptly removed or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual talk therapy can help them cope with feelings of shame and embarrassment about their ADHD and anger towards supervisors, coworkers teachers, family members and others who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. Additionally, marriage and family counseling can help couples with ADHD be able to recognize each other's challenges and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD aims to improve daily functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can help individuals with ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the feeling of inadequacy they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that cause difficulties in their lives and to develop new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as doing. This short-term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven effective in treating many disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies or on its own.
CBT may include group therapy, which can be especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD because it gives the opportunity to interact with other people who are facing similar issues and learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults with ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report indicators like symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
Several studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD, and all show significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect size. These improvements were attributed to diverse approaches such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
It is important to compare the efficacy between different treatments for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that the differences in the outcomes result from a variety of factors, such as treatment characteristics and the measures employed. A few studies have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while performing cognitive tasks to identify areas of the brain where there is too much or little activity - and then instructing the person to manage these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which could contribute to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy approaches that can help improve the ability of individuals to resolve conflicts and build meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control self-destructive, impulsive and negative behaviors that can create problems at work or school.
In certain cases psychotherapy may be utilized as an adjunct to the medication used for ADHD treatment for adults. People with comorbid conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs should be evaluated with care to ensure that they do not have symptoms that cannot be improved by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, must be treated more aggressively as they are at higher risk of developing complications from the medications.
When ADHD is severe enough to interfere with everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs could be suggested. These programs provide an organized therapy that is more intense than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of cognitive therapy, helps people with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as planning and executive functioning. It helps them identify and express their feelings. It utilizes worksheets and activities to make the learning more enjoyable. Mindfulness meditation training improves CBT and enhances a person's ability to focus and control their emotions. It improves the ability of a person to manage the effects of stress and arousal. 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 often have difficulties functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and can cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help boost your self-esteem, solve the root causes of your issues and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps them change their negative attitudes and behaviours. In particular, it is focused on teaching you how to employ strategies to manage your time and eliminate the distortions in your thinking that cause negative moods and a perception of a limited selection.
Many people suffering from ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or even increase the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. It is recommended that you first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then observe its response to the medication before treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you learn ways to organize your life and work, set up predictable routines, manage money and time and develop confidence in yourself. doctors who treat adhd in adults near me can help you master techniques for relaxation that can reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Similarly, yoga and other exercise can help you improve your focus by stabilizing your body in different poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can address the problems that adults suffering from ADHD often create for their spouses, children and other family members. They frequently complain that they are 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 help you and your family members understand that the problems are due to ADHD instead of an inability to care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is extremely prevalent. It is often associated with other disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. A wide range of medications are available to adults suffering from ADHD, and some of them have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted both the advantages and drawbacks of the medications.
Adults with ADHD may have the same symptoms as children do, but it can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. Adults with ADHD may not have an ancestral history of the disorder, or may not remember symptoms. A thorough medical history is important to determine if the symptoms are due to an illness such as a thyroid problem or sleep apnea. It could also be due to vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medications to treat adults suffering from ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80 percentage range. The most frequently used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate can also be administered via a transdermal device. This permits continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.
Nonstimulant drugs for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that target dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine, the most studied tricyclic, has shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose drug and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 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 that is effective in blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter, increasing its availability in brain. This drug has been shown to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults, but it isn't as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving cognitive performance or concentration.