ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurological disorder that affects 4,4% of the population. It is associated with high rates of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression and addiction to drugs, as well as significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are among the most frequently prescribed medications.
Medicines
Many people with ADHD experience significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning due to medications. Due to the various ways that people react to medications, it is important for individuals with ADHD to find a combination that is most effective.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form, and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Some adults can supplement their immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medicine taken once a day to reduce the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated effectively with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of medications can be used on its own or in combination with stimulants to boost their effects. They can also increase the risk of serious adverse consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, have an calming effect and are able to enhance focus and decrease the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in some adults. These medications can cause extremely low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is decreased.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help them overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment towards co-workers and teachers, supervisors, and family members that may criticize or nag them. Additionally, marriage and family counseling can help couples with ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to impart strategies and skills that help improve performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help those who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the feeling of failure they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives. It also helps to learn new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. adhd treatment for adults near me -term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating many conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be used by itself or in combination with other therapies.
CBT may involve group therapy, which is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD because it gives the opportunity to interact with other people with similar challenges and to learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or via the phone. One study examined the effects of CBT against standard therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvements in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
Numerous studies have evaluated CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were attributed to a variety of modalities such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is advised in comparing the efficacy of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is likely that differences in the outcomes are due to a variety of factors, including the treatment features and the methods employed. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing a hat with electrodes while performing cognitive tasks in order to pinpoint brain areas in which there is excessive or inadequate activity. The person is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help to address these issues, which could contribute to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include the use of interpersonal therapy to improve the capacity of individuals to establish meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behavior that can create difficulties at school or at work.
In some cases, psychotherapy is used as an adjunct to the medication used for adhd treatment for adults. Patients with multiple disorders like depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder need to be assessed to ensure that their symptoms aren't made worse through the use of medications to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history or seizures, need to be treated more aggressively.
If ADHD is severe enough to interfere with the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs might be recommended. These programs offer an organized treatment that is more intense than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
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 function. It helps them understand and express feelings, and it uses worksheets and activities to make the learning interesting. The practice of mindfulness meditation enhances CBT and improves the ability of a person to concentrate and regulate emotions. It also improves a person's ability to handle anxiety and stress. It helps them deal with anger, sadness and other emotional issues which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. These issues can also impact relationships and cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help increase self-esteem, address underlying problems and establish healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps you change your negative beliefs and behavior. It is focused on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions which can lead to negative moods and the perception that there are only a few choices.
Many people with ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or exacerbate the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you first treat the most severe comorbidity and then monitor the response to the medication prior to treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you learn ways to organize your life and your work, establish regular routines, manage your money and time and develop an optimistic self-image. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that could reduce your 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 others. They often complain about being unstable, unorganized, forgetful and prone to making impulsive decisions. You can build stronger relationships by educating your spouses and family members about ADHD. It can aid you and your family members realize that the problems are caused by ADHD instead of a lack in caring or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is extremely frequent. It is often associated with other disorders that are comorbid, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medication interventions. There are a range of treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted both the strengths and the limitations of the drugs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD may experience the same symptoms that children do, but it can be difficult to determine since childhood symptoms may not last into adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder in their family or they may not remember having symptoms. adhd treatment for adults without medication is essential to help determine whether the symptoms are due to medical conditions such as a thyroid problem or sleep apnea. It could also be due to vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80 percentage range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be administered through a transdermal system. This allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been proven to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a medication with a low dose that is recommended to be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant that has been shown to be effective in 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. This drug has been found to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults, however it is not as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving cognitive performance or concentration.