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, including anxiety, depression and addiction to drugs, as well as significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Both psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are among the most frequently prescribed medications.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD report 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.
Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants like amphetamines or methylphenidate. 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 long-acting medicine taken once a day to lessen the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Antidepressants such as desipramine have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of medications can be employed in conjunction with stimulants, or in isolation to boost their effects. They can also increase the danger of serious side effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam and clonidine can also be utilized to treat people suffering from ADHD. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and can help improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in some adults. However, these drugs can cause a drop in blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy can help them deal with feelings of shame and embarrassment over their ADHD and resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, and family members who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. Counseling for families and marriage is also a great way to help couples suffering from ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
The primary goal of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to help people learn strategies and skills that help improve performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can also assist people with ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy that can be a result of this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives. It also helps to discover new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as acting. This short-term and goal-oriented therapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of conditions, including anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies or on its own.
CBT may include group therapy, which is especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to meet others with similar challenges and to learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or over the phone. One study compared the effects of CBT against traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvement in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments in adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms with effects between medium and large. These improvements were attributed to various modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy, social skills training, problem solving training, as well as mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is warranted in comparing the effectiveness of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is possible that the different outcomes of the treatments reflect a number of variables that include treatment characteristics, measures used and the background of the patient. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This method involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while performing cognitive tasks in order to pinpoint brain areas in which there is excessive or inadequate activity. The individual is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help to address these issues, which could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include interpersonal therapy to improve the capacity of individuals to establish meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control self-destructive, impulsive, and negative behavior that can create problems at work or school.
In certain situations psychotherapy may be utilized in combination with medication for adults with adhd treatment. 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 are not ameliorated by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and an history of seizures need to be treated with more vigor because they are at higher risk of developing complications from the medication.
Outpatient intensive programs may be recommended when the person's ADHD is so severe that it affects their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide more intense and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a type of cognitive therapy, assists adults with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive functioning. It helps them understand and express their feelings and uses worksheets and activities to make the lessons more engaging. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT, and it improves a person's ability to focus and manage their emotions. It also improves a person's ability to tolerate the effects of stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other difficult emotions which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD often report difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and could lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you improve your self-esteem and resolve underlying problems. It can also help you develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps you change your negative thoughts and behaviors. It concentrates on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions which contribute to negative moods, and the perception of limited possibilities.
Many adults with ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. inattentive adhd treatment adults can cause or diminish the effectiveness of certain treatments for ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and monitor the response to treatment prior to beginning treatment for the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your life and work by establishing predictable routines that help you control your time and money and build confidence in yourself. treatment for inattentive adhd in adults can also help you learn relaxation techniques that may reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can also help you focus by ensuring your body is stable in different poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can address the problems that people with ADHD often cause their children, spouses, and others. They often complain about being unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. You can strengthen your relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. Moreover, it can aid you and your loved ones to understand that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD rather than a lack of caring or a willful refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly frequent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression and addiction disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. There are many medications available for adults with ADHD. Some of these medications have been tested in trials. These studies have highlighted the strengths and limitations of the drugs.
Adults with ADHD have the same symptoms as children, but it isn't always easy to identify them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist into adulthood. Adults who suffer from ADHD might not have a family background of the disorder or may not remember symptoms. It is crucial to take an extensive medical history in order to determine whether the symptoms are related to an illness, like thyroid issues or sleep apnea, and vision issues.
Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective drugs for treating adults with ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80 percent range. The most commonly used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate can also be administered via a transdermal system. This allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has shown to work in adult ADHD patients. 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 second antidepressant that has been proven to be effective for 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 improve the mood of adults and decrease hyperactivity, however, it's not as effective at improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.