ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common condition of the nervous system that affects 44% of the population. It is accompanied with high rates of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, as well as significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed medications.
Medications
Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning due to medication. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD discover the right combination of medication that works for them.
Stimulants, like amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. These stimulants are available as tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. Adults can augment an immediate-release medicine with an extended-release long-acting medication every week to lessen the requirement to take it frequently throughout the day.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been proven to be effective in treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of drugs can be used on its own or in conjunction 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 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 improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. However, these drugs can cause a drop in blood pressure when they are abruptly removed or reduced in dosage.
Adults with ADHD are also able to benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them deal with feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD and resentment toward co-workers, supervisors, teachers and family members who might nag or criticize them. Marriage and family counseling is also a great way to help couples suffering from ADHD better understand each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can help those with ADHD overcome their self-esteem issues and the feeling of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives. It also helps to learn new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as doing. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating various disorders, such as depression and anxiety. It can be utilized in conjunction with other treatments or alone.
CBT may include group therapy, which can be especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to meet others who have similar struggles and to discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or by phone. One study examined the effects of CBT against standard therapy for adults with ADHD and discovered that both treatments resulted in improvements in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared to other psychosocial treatments in adults with ADHD. All of these studies have shown significant reductions in ADHD symptoms with effects ranging from medium to large. These improvements were attributed to a variety of modalities such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving, and mindfulness meditation.
It is crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. untreated adhd in adults relationships is likely that the different outcomes of the treatments are due to a variety of variables that include treatment characteristics, measures employed and the background of the patient. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas in the brain where there is too much or too little activity - and then instructing the person to manage these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these problems, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to improve the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to alter negative behaviors and assist in managing self-destructive and impulsive behavior that can cause problems at school or work.
In some instances psychotherapy can be used as an alternative to medications for adult adhd in adults treatment. People with co-occurring disorders like substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder should be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms aren't made worse through the use of medications to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and seizures in the past, must be treated more aggressively as they are more at risk of complications from medication.
When ADHD is severe enough to interfere with everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs might be recommended. These programs provide more intensive and structured treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of cognitive therapy, helps adults with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time planning, impulse control and executive functioning. It helps them understand and express emotions and uses worksheets and activities to make the learning interesting. Meditation training that is mindful enhances CBT, and it improves a person's ability to focus and regulate their emotions. It increases the capacity of a person to manage stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with anger, sadness, and other emotional issues that could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD often have difficulties functioning at home and at work. These issues can also impact relationships and lead to financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you improve your self-esteem, resolve underlying problems and establish healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment is an effective treatment for adults with ADHD, as it helps them change their negative attitudes and behaviors. Particularly, it is focused on teaching you how to use time management strategies and overcome thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and a perception of limited choices.
Many adults with ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or even increase the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended to treat the most severe comorbidity and then monitor the response to the medication prior to treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life by establishing predictable routines that help you manage your money and time and create confidence in yourself. It can help you learn techniques for relaxation that can reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other workouts can help you improve concentration by stabilizing your body during various postures.
Counseling for families and marriage can address the problems that adults with ADHD often cause their spouses, children and others. They often complain about being insecure, unorganized, and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. what happens if adhd is left untreated in adults can build stronger relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. Additionally, it can aid you and your loved ones realize that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD instead of the lack of compassion or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly common neurobiological disorder. It is often accompanied by comorbid conditions such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD and some of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the drugs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, however it can be difficult to recognize them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist until adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder in their family or may not be aware of having symptoms. It is essential to take an extensive medical history to determine whether the symptoms are due to an illness, like thyroid issues, sleep apnea or hearing and vision issues.
Treatments for adults suffering from ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective drugs for treating adults with ADHD and their response rates are within the 70-80 percentage range. The most commonly used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate can also be found as a transdermal solution, that allows for continuous supply of medication throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants that work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has been shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication and should be increased by 50 mg every seven 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 at the presynaptic transporter and increasing its presence in the brain. The drug is known to boost mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity, however, it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.