ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known disorder of the nervous system that affects 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity (depression, anxiety, substance abuse) and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Both psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults suffering from ADHD have significant improvements 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 find a combination that is effective.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamines. They are available in tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Some adults supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medication that is taken daily to lessen the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can be successfully treated with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of drugs may be utilized in conjunction with stimulants or in isolation to boost their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious side consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam and clonidine can also be used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, can have an calming effect and are able to improve focus and decrease the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among some adults. These medications can lead to very low blood pressure when they are suddenly stopped, or the dosage is decreased.
Adults with ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy helps those with ADHD deal with feelings of shame, embarrassment and resentment toward coworkers, supervisors, teachers and family members who might nitpick or criticize them. Family and marriage counseling can be a great option to help couples with ADHD to better understand each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is to impart strategies and skills that help improve function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help individuals who suffer from ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the sense of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that create difficulties in their lives and to discover new ways of thinking, feeling and doing. This short-term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating various illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. 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 offers the opportunity to interact with other people who are facing similar issues and discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or via the phone. One study compared the results of CBT with that of traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvements in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms and quality of life.
CBT has been studied in comparison to other psychosocial treatments in adults with ADHD. All of these studies demonstrate significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes that range from moderate to large. These improvements were linked to various modalities that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving exercises and mindfulness meditation.
It is essential to assess the effectiveness of various treatments for adult ADHD with caution. It is likely that differences in outcomes results are due to a variety of factors, such as treatment characteristics and measures used. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas in the brain where there is too much or too little activity - and then teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which may be contributing to the ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to improve the capacity of individuals to establish meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control self-destructive, impulsive and negative behaviors that could cause problems at school or work.
In certain cases, psychotherapy can be used in conjunction with medications for adults with adhd treatment. Patients with comorbid disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder and substance abuse must be assessed carefully to ensure that they do not have symptoms that are not improved by the medications used to treat ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and seizures in the past, must be treated with more vigor because they are at a higher risk of complications from medication.
Intensive outpatient programs might be suggested if the individual's ADHD is such that it hinders their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide more intensive and structured treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD improve their abilities to manage time, impulse control, organizing, and executive function. It teaches them to recognize and express emotions and uses exercises and worksheets to make the learning interesting. Meditation training that is mindful enhances CBT and improves a person's ability to focus and manage their emotions. It improves the ability of a person to tolerate anxiety and stress. It can assist them in dealing with anger, sadness, and other emotions which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. In addition to affecting their work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and may lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues will allow you improve your self-esteem and resolve underlying problems. It will also help you develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults with ADHD because it teaches you how to change your negative thoughts and behaviors. 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 perceptions of a limited range of choices.
Many people with ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders as comorbid conditions. doctors who treat adhd in adults near me can exacerbate or decrease the effectiveness of some treatments for ADHD. It is therefore recommended to treat the most severe comorbid condition and then monitor its response to the medication before treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your life and work, establish predictable routines, manage your money and time and create a positive image of yourself. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that could decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your concentration by ensuring your body is stable in various postures.
adult adhd diagnostic assessment and treatment and marriage counseling can help address the issues that adults suffering from ADHD often cause their children, spouses, and others. They often complain of being unreliable and disorganized. They also tend to forget things or make decisions impulsively. You can build stronger relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. Moreover, it can aid you and your loved ones realize that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD rather than the lack of compassion or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity. This includes depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. The use of medication and psychosocial interventions is available as treatment options. There are a range of medications available for adults with ADHD. Some of these medications have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and weaknesses of the drugs.
Adults suffering from ADHD may have the same symptoms as children have, but it's difficult to diagnose because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their family or they may not even remember experiencing symptoms. It is essential to take a thorough medical history to determine if the symptoms are due to an illness, like thyroid issues or sleep apnea, and vision problems.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. The stimulants have the highest response rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their response rates vary from 70% to 80percent. The most popular stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also administered through a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that work on dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic, and has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose medication and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every seven days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant which has been proven to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that is effective in blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transportationer which increases its accessibility to the brain. This drug has been shown to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults, but it is not as effective as stimulants in improving concentration or cognitive function.