ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. It is associated by high rates of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression and addiction to drugs, and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Both medication and psychotherapy are effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most commonly prescribed medications are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD experience significant improvement in their symptoms and performance due to medication. Because of the different ways people respond to medications it is important for individuals with ADHD to discover a combination that works best.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants, such as methylphenidate or amphetamines. These stimulants are available in liquid or tablet form in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Adults can supplement their immediate-release medicine with an extended-release, long-acting medicine once a week to reduce the necessity to take it often 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 increase their effects. However, they may 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 or clonidine. They are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and can improve focus, and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in certain adults. However, these medications can cause a very low blood pressure when they are abruptly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy is also useful for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help people to overcome feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment toward coworkers, teachers, supervisors, and family members that may criticize or nag them. Marriage and family counseling is also a great way to help couples with ADHD to better understand each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can also aid those with ADHD overcome low self-esteem and feeling of inadequacy that can be a result of this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy assists people to change negative thoughts and emotions that cause difficulties in their lives. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating many illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. It can be utilized in conjunction with other treatments or by itself.
CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for those suffering from ADHD because it allows them to connect with others who are facing similar issues and learn how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or by phone. One study examined the effects of CBT with that of traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvement in self-report assessments of functioning, symptoms and quality of life.
Several studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD and have all shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect size. These improvements were associated with various modalities that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is advised when comparing the effectiveness of different therapies for adult ADHD. It is possible that the differences in outcome results reflect a number of variables such as treatment characteristics, measures employed, and patient backgrounds. A few studies have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to identify areas in the brain that there is too much or little activity. Then, instructing adult adhd diagnosis and treatment to manage these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that need treatment. Counseling can address these problems that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy methods that can help improve a person’s ability to resolve conflicts and develop lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to change negative behavior and assist in managing self-destructive and impulsive behavior that can cause problems at school or work.
In certain cases psychotherapy can be utilized as an adjunct to medications for adult adhd in adults treatment. Patients with multiple disorders like depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder need to be assessed to ensure that their symptoms aren't aggravated by the medications used to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and seizures in the past, need to be treated more aggressively because they are more at risk of complications from medications.
If ADHD is severe enough to interfere with everyday functioning and quality of life, intensive outpatient programs may be recommended. These programs offer more intensive and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of cognitive therapy, assists people with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as planning and executive functioning. It helps them recognize and express emotions, and it uses exercises and worksheets to make the learning interesting. Meditation training that is mindful enhances CBT, and it improves a person's ability to focus and control their emotions. It improves the ability of a person's ability to handle stress and arousal. It can help them deal with sadness, anger and other difficult emotions which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. In addition to impacting work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and may cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you boost your self-esteem, solve the root of your issue and establish healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps you change your negative beliefs and behavior. It concentrates on teaching time management techniques and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that can cause negative moods, and the perception of limited choices.
Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or reduce the effectiveness of certain drugs used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and monitor its response to medication prior to attempting treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your life and work by establishing predictable routines that help you control your time and money, and develop an optimistic image of yourself. It can help you learn ways to relax that could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can also aid in improving your focus by stabilizing your body in various postures.
Counseling for families and marriage can help adults with ADHD to solve the problems they cause their children, spouses and friends. They often complain about being unstable, unorganized, forgetful and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. You can strengthen 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 rather than to the lack of compassion or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is very common. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. There are a range of treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and the limitations of the drugs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, but it isn't always easy to diagnose them because the symptoms of childhood may not persist into adulthood. Additionally, adult adhd diagnostic assessment and treatment with ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their families or may not be aware of having symptoms. It is crucial to take a thorough medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are due to an illness, such as thyroid problems such as sleep apnea, sleep apnea and vision problems.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80% range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also available in a transdermal system, which allows for a continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants which work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, the most studied tricyclic, has been proven to work 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 response is observed.
Bupropion XL is a second antidepressant which has been proven to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transportationer and increasing its presence in the brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults. However, it isn't as effective as stimulants in improving cognitive performance or concentration.