ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent disorder of the nervous system that affects 4,4 percent of the population. It is associated by high rates of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed medications.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning when they take medication. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD discover the right combination of medication that works for them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants, such as methylphenidate or amphetamines. These stimulants are available as liquid or tablet form in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Adults may supplement an immediate-release medicine with an extended release long-acting medicine at least every week to decrease the need to take it regularly throughout the day.
Desipramine and other antidepressants have also been proven to be effective in treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of medications can be used together with stimulants or in isolation to boost their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious adverse effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like alprazolam and clonidine can also be utilized to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They are calming and can help improve focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in certain adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure if they are suddenly stopped, or the dosage is reduced.
Adults suffering from ADHD are also able to benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy can help them deal with feelings of shame and embarrassment about their ADHD, as well as anger towards supervisors, coworkers teachers, family members and others who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. adhd treatment for adults medication for families and marriage is a great method to help couples with ADHD better understand each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is to teach strategies and techniques that enhance performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD overcome low self-esteem and feelings of failure that is often associated with this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives and to develop new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as acting. adhd in adults characterization diagnosis and treatment -term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has proven to be effective in treating a variety of disorders including anxiety and depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with other treatments or on its own.
CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is especially beneficial for adults with ADHD because it enables them to meet others who are facing similar issues and learn about how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or over the phone. One study compared the results of CBT against conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvements in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms and quality of life.
A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD, and all show significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect size. These improvements were associated with diverse modalities like cognitive and interpersonal therapy, social skills training, problem solving training, as well as mindfulness meditation.
It is crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatments for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that differences in the outcomes result from a variety of factors, including the treatment characteristics and measures employed. A few studies have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas in the brain where there is too much or little activity - and then instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can address these problems that may be contributing ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy techniques that can help improve a person’s ability to resolve conflicts and build lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help people manage self-destructive, impulsive and negative behaviors that could create difficulties at school or at work.
In some instances psychotherapy may be used as an alternative to medications for adult adhd in adults treatment. People who have comorbid conditions like bipolar disorder, and substance abuse should be evaluated with care to ensure they do not have symptoms that are not improved by the medications used to treat ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and an history of seizures need to be treated more aggressively as they are at a higher risk of developing complications from the medication.
When ADHD is serious enough to affect everyday functioning and quality of life, intensive outpatient programs may be suggested. These programs offer more thorough and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD improve their abilities to manage their time, impulse control, planning, and executive function. It helps them identify and express their emotions and employs worksheets and exercises to make the lessons more enjoyable. The training in mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to focus and manage emotions. It also improves a person's ability to handle the effects of stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other emotional issues which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD often have difficulties functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting their work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and may lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you to improve your self-esteem and resolve underlying problems. It will also help you develop healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults with ADHD, as it helps them change their negative beliefs and behavior. In particular, it is focused on teaching you how to employ strategies for managing time and overcoming mental distortions that lead to negative moods and perceptions of limited choices.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from anxiety or depression. These psychiatric conditions can cause or reduce the effectiveness of some drugs used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and observe the effect of medication prior to beginning treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can teach you ways to organize your life and your work, establish routines that are predictable, manage money and time and develop confidence in yourself. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that could decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can also help you improve focus by stabilizing your body in various poses.
Marriage and family counseling can address the problems that adults suffering from ADHD frequently create for their spouses, children and their families. They often complain about being erratic and unorganized. They often forget things or make impulsive choices. Classes and therapy in which spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you develop healthier relationships. Furthermore it can help you and your loved ones understand that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD instead of the lack of compassion or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. There are a variety of medications available to adults suffering from ADHD and a few of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted the strengths and limitations of the various medications.
Adults with ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, however it can be difficult to diagnose them because the symptoms of childhood may not persist throughout adulthood. Adults who suffer from ADHD might not have a family background of the disorder or might not remember the symptoms. It is important to have an extensive medical history to determine whether the symptoms are related to an illness such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea or hearing and vision issues.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. The stimulants have the highest response rates for adults with ADHD. Their response rates range from 70 to 80percent. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be administered through a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery during the daytime.
Nonstimulant drugs for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that work on dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose drug and should be increased by 50 mg every seven days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, has been shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic cellular transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. The drug is known to boost mood in adults and decrease hyperactivity, however, it's not as effective in improving concentration or cognitive function as stimulants.