ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known condition of the nervous system that affects 44 percent of the population. It is associated by high rates of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, and significant emotional, social 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 drugs.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning due to medication. It is crucial that people with ADHD discover the right combination of medication that works for them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate. 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. how to get treated for adhd in adults can supplement their immediate-release medication with an extended-release long-acting medicine at least every week to lessen the need to take it regularly throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated effectively with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of medications can be used on its own or in conjunction with stimulants to boost their effects. They can also increase the danger of serious side consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam and clonidine can also be used for the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs, initially developed to treat high blood pressure, possess the ability to calm and increase focus and reduce the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among some adults. However, these medications could cause a very low blood pressure if they are abruptly removed or reduced in dosage.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy can help them deal with their feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD and resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, family members and others who may nag or criticize them. Marriage and family counseling is a great method to help couples with ADHD to better understand each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by teaching strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also aid those with ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and feeling of failure that is often associated with this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists individuals in changing the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives. It also helps to develop new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as doing. This short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has proven to be effective for a variety of illnesses such as anxiety and depression. It can be used on its own or in combination with other therapies.
CBT may also include group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD because it enables them to meet others who have similar struggles and discover how they deal with their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or over the phone. One study compared the effects of CBT in comparison to conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and discovered that both treatments resulted in improvement in self-report assessments of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD. All of these studies demonstrate significant reductions in ADHD symptoms with effects between medium and large. These improvements were attributed to a variety of modalities such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving exercises and mindfulness meditation.
It is important to compare the efficacy between different treatments for adult ADHD with caution. It is likely that the differences in the results of treatment are due to a range of factors, including the treatment characteristics and the measures used. There are few studies that have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This method involves wearing a hat with electrodes while doing cognitive tasks to identify brain areas where there is excessive or insufficient activity. The individual is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these problems, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy approaches which can improve a person’s ability to resolve conflicts and build meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behaviors that could create problems at work or school.
In some instances psychotherapy can be used as an alternative to medication for adult adhd treatment for adults. Patients suffering from multiple disorders like addiction to substances, depression and bipolar disorder must be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms aren't aggravated by the medications used to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, have to be treated more aggressively because they are at a higher risk of developing complications from the 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 offer more intense and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD improve their ability to manage time management, impulse control, executive function, and planning. It helps them recognize and express their feelings and employs worksheets and exercises to make the lessons more engaging. The training in mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to focus and regulate emotions. It also increases a person's ability to tolerate the effects of stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other difficult feelings that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD often have difficulties functioning at home and at work. 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 improve your self-esteem, resolve the root of your issue and develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches you how to change your negative thoughts and behaviors. It concentrates on teaching time management techniques and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that can lead to negative moods and the perception that there are only a few options.
Many people suffering from ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or reduce the effectiveness of certain drugs used to treat ADHD. It is recommended to first treat the most severe comorbidity and then observe its response to the medication prior to treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can teach you methods to organize your life and work, create regular routines, manage your time and money and build a positive self-image. It can also help you learn ways to relax that could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can help you improve concentration by stabilizing your body during various postures.
Marriage and family counseling can address the issues adults with ADHD frequently create for their spouses, children and others. They often complain about being erratic and unorganized. They also tend to forget things or make decisions impulsively. Classes and therapy in which spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you build better relationships. It can help you and your family members understand that the issues are caused by ADHD, rather than an inability to care or a refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is very prevalent. It is often associated with comorbid conditions such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. There are a variety of treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in studies. These studies have exposed the strengths and weaknesses of the various medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, however it can be difficult to identify them since childhood symptoms might not last throughout adulthood. Adults who suffer from ADHD may also not have any family history of the disorder, or may not be aware of symptoms. It is essential to take an extensive medical history to determine if the symptoms are caused by a medical condition, such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea or hearing and vision problems.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants have the highest response rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their responsiveness rates vary from 70 to 80%. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate may also be administered through a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery during the daytime.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine is the most studied 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, another antidepressant, was shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that works by blocking the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic transporter, thereby increasing its presence in the brain. The drug is known to improve the mood of adults and reduce hyperactivity, however it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.