ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent disorder of the nervous system that affects 44 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression, anxiety, addiction to drugs) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Both medication and psychotherapy are effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medications
Many people with ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning in response to medications. Because of the different ways that people respond to medication, it is important for individuals with ADHD to discover a combination that is most effective.
Stimulants, like methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most frequently prescribed drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. 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 used once per day to lessen the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Desipramine and other antidepressants have also been found to be effective in the treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of medications can be used by itself or in conjunction with stimulants to increase their effects. They can also increase the danger of serious side consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like alprazolam and clonidine can also be used to treat people suffering from ADHD. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and may improve focus and reduce the amount of hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. These medications can result in very low blood pressure when they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is reduced.
Adults with ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy helps those with ADHD to overcome feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment against coworkers, teachers, supervisors and family members who may criticize or nag them. In addition, marriage and family counseling can help couples with ADHD be able to recognize each other's challenges and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
The primary goal of psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is to help people learn strategies and skills that help improve function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can also assist people with ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy that can be a result of this condition.
adhd treatment for adult women (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives. It also helps to discover new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as doing. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven effective in treating various disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used alone or in combination with other therapies.
CBT can include group therapy, which is particularly helpful for adults with ADHD, as it provides the chance to connect with others with similar challenges and to learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or over the phone. One study examined the effects of CBT in comparison to traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and discovered that both treatments resulted in improvement in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
Several studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for people with ADHD and have all shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were linked to various modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy, social skills training, problem solving training, as well as mindfulness mediation.
However, caution is required in comparing the efficacy of different therapies for adult ADHD. It is possible that the differences in the results of treatment are due to a range of factors, including treatment features and the methods employed. A few studies have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to determine areas in the brain that there is too much or too little activity - and then instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which could be contributing to the ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy approaches which can improve a person’s ability to manage conflicts and create lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to alter negative behaviors and assist in managing self-destructive and impulsive behavior that can cause problems at school or at work.
In certain situations psychotherapy is sometimes used in conjunction with medications for adults who are seeking treatment for adhd. Patients with comorbid disorders such as addiction to substances, depression and bipolar disorder need to be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms aren't aggravated by the medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history or seizures, need to be treated more aggressively.
When ADHD is serious enough to affect everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs might be suggested. These programs offer a more intense and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of cognitive therapy, assists adults suffering from ADHD to improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as planning and executive function. It helps them understand and express their feelings. It utilizes worksheets and activities to make the learning more interesting. Mindfulness meditation training improves CBT, and it improves the ability of people to concentrate and control their emotions. It increases the capacity of a person's ability to handle the effects of stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger and other difficult feelings which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. In addition to affecting work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and may cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you increase self-esteem, address the root of your issue and develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps you modify your negative thoughts and behaviors. It focuses on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions that can lead to negative moods and the perception of limited choices.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from anxiety or depression. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or exacerbate the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. It is therefore recommended to first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then monitor the response to the medication prior to treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your life and work and establish routines that are predictable to manage your money and time, and develop an optimistic image of yourself. It can also help you learn relaxation methods that may reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. In the same way yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing the body in different postures.
Marriage and family counseling can address the problems that people with ADHD frequently cause their children, spouses, and other family members. They frequently complain of being unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and often prone to making impulsive choices. Therapy and classes where spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you build better relationships. Moreover, it can aid you and your loved ones realize that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD rather than to an absence of care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is extremely common. It is often accompanied by comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. There are many medication options for adults suffering from ADHD. Some of these medications have been tested in studies. These studies have revealed the strengths and drawbacks of the drugs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, however it can be difficult to recognize them since childhood symptoms might not last throughout 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. A thorough medical history is important to determine if the symptoms are due to an illness such as thyroid issues or sleep apnea. It could also be due to vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective drugs to treat adults suffering from ADHD and their response rates are in the 70 - 80% range. adhd treatment for older adults used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate may also be administered through a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery during the daytime.
Adults with ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, which is 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 7 days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL another antidepressant, has been shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transportationer and increasing its presence in the brain. This drug has been shown to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults, however it is not as effective as stimulants in improving concentration or cognitive function.