ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent neurological disorder that affects around 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity (depression, anxiety, substance abuse) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed medications.
Medications
Many people who suffer from ADHD report significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning when they take medication. It is essential that those who suffer from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that works for them.
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 medication with an extended-release long-acting medication once a week to reduce the requirement to take it often throughout the day.
Desipramine and other antidepressants have also been found to be effective in treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of medications can be utilized in conjunction with stimulants, or on their own to boost their effects. They can also increase the risk of serious side consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. adhd treatment for older adults were initially developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and may improve focus and reduce the amount of hyperactivity and impulsivity in certain adults. These medications can result in extremely low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is reduced.
Adults with ADHD may also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them deal with their feelings of shame and embarrassment over their ADHD as well as anger toward supervisors, colleagues teachers, family members and others who might nag or criticize them. Additionally, marriage and family counseling can help couples suffering from ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can help people who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the feeling of inadequacy they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy helps people change their negative thoughts and feelings that cause difficulties in their lives. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has proven to be effective for many illnesses such as anxiety and depression. It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
CBT may include group therapy, which is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD as it offers the opportunity to interact with other people who have similar struggles and to discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or via phone. One study examined the effects of CBT in comparison to standard therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvement in self-report measures of symptoms, functioning, 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 linked to various modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving exercises and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is warranted when comparing the effectiveness of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is possible that the differences in the results of treatment are due to a range of factors, including the treatment features and the methods used. Few studies have examined the effectiveness neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while performing cognitive tasks to determine brain regions where there is a lack or excess of activity. The individual is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD suffer from anxiety or mood 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 a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to transform negative behaviors and assist in managing impulsive and self-destructive behaviors that can cause problems at school or at work.
In some cases psychotherapy may be utilized in conjunction with medication for adults who are seeking treatment for adhd. People with comorbid conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder and substance abuse must be assessed carefully to ensure that they do not have symptoms that cannot be improved by the medications used to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and an history of seizures must be treated with more vigor because they are at a higher risk of developing complications from the medication.
If ADHD is serious enough to affect the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs might be recommended. These programs provide more intensive and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD improve their abilities to manage time management and impulse control, as well as planning, and executive function. It helps them recognize and express their emotions and uses worksheets and activities to make the learning more enjoyable. The practice of mindfulness meditation improves CBT and improves the ability of a person to focus and manage emotions. It also increases a person's ability to tolerate anxiety and stress. It helps them deal with anger, sadness and other emotions that could be causing their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting their work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and could cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you to improve your self-esteem and address the root of the issue. It will also help you develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults with ADHD because it teaches you how to modify your negative beliefs and behaviors. It focuses on teaching you to use strategies to manage your time and eliminate thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and the perception of a limited selection.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or exacerbate the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe comorbidity first and then monitor its response to medication prior to beginning treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you learn methods to organize your life and work, establish regular routines, manage your money and time and develop an optimistic self-image. It can help you learn ways to relax that could reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Additionally yoga and other exercises can help you improve your focus by ensuring your body is stable in different postures.
Marriage and family counseling can help adults with ADHD to overcome the problems they create for their children, spouses and other family members. They often complain about being insecure, unorganized, and prone to making impulsive decisions. You can build stronger relationships by educating your spouses and family members about ADHD. Additionally it can help you and your loved ones realize that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD rather than a lack of caring or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is extremely prevalent. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. There are many medication options for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been tested in studies. These studies have revealed the strengths and limitations of the medications.
Adults who suffer from ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, however it isn't always easy to diagnose them because childhood symptoms may not persist until adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder in their families or they may not even remember having symptoms. It is important to have an extensive medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are due to an illness such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea or hearing and vision problems.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. The stimulants have the highest response rates for adults suffering from ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness range from 70 to 80%. The most commonly used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate is also accessible as a transdermal solution, which allows for a continuous drug delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic drug and has been proven to be effective in adult patients suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose medicine and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is another antidepressant that has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake in the presynaptic cellular transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. This drug has been proven to boost mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity however it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.