ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the general population. It is associated with a high rate of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medications
Many adults suffering from ADHD have significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning due to medications. Because of the different ways people respond to medications it is essential for those with ADHD to find a combination that is effective.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants, such as amphetamines or methylphenidate. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid forms 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 decrease the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Desipramine and other antidepressants have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of drugs can be utilized together with stimulants or alone to enhance their effects. first line treatment for adhd in adults can also increase the risk of serious adverse effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These drugs were initially developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and can improve focus, and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in some adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure if they are suddenly stopped, or the dosage is decreased.
Psychotherapy is also useful for adults with ADHD. 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 might be a source of criticism or nagging them. Family and marriage counseling is also a great way to help couples with ADHD to better understand each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by teaching strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy that can be a result of this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists individuals in changing the negative thoughts that cause difficulties in their lives and to develop new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as doing. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has proven to be effective in treating a variety of disorders, including depression and anxiety. first line treatment for adhd in adults can be used alone or in combination with other therapies.
CBT may include group therapy, which can be particularly beneficial for people with ADHD as it offers the opportunity to meet others with similar challenges and to learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. online adhd treatment for adults can be delivered in person or via the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to the standard treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures like symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
Numerous studies have evaluated CBT with other psychosocial treatments for people with ADHD, and all show 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, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is advised when comparing the effectiveness of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is likely that the different outcomes of the treatments are due to a variety of variables such as the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used, and patient backgrounds. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while performing cognitive tasks to determine areas in the brain that there is too much or little activity, and teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD also suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help address these issues that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy techniques which can improve the ability of individuals to resolve conflicts and build lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control self-destructive, impulsive, and negative behavior that can cause problems at work or school.
In some instances psychotherapy can be used as an adjunct to medications for adult ADHD treatment for adults. People with comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder and substance abuse need to be evaluated carefully to make sure they don't have symptoms that are not ameliorated by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, need to be treated with more vigor.
If ADHD is severe enough to interfere with everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs could be recommended. These programs offer a more intensive and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of cognitive therapy, aids people with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time planning, impulse control and executive function. It helps them identify and express their feelings. It uses worksheets and activities to make the learning more engaging. The training in mindfulness meditation enhances CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to concentrate and regulate emotions. It improves the ability of a person's ability to handle stress and arousal. It helps them deal with anger, sadness and other difficult emotions that could be causing their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. In addition to impacting work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and can lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you boost your self-esteem, solve the root of your issue and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps you change your negative beliefs and behaviors. Particularly, it focuses on teaching you to utilize strategies to manage your time and eliminate the distortions in your thinking that cause negative moods and a perception of limited choices.
Many people with ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric conditions can cause or decrease the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and then monitor its response to medication before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you learn how to manage your life and work, set up routines that are predictable, manage money and time and develop confidence in yourself. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that may reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. Additionally yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing your body in various poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can address the problems that adults with ADHD frequently create for their spouses, children and others. They often complain about being undependable and unorganized. They often forget things or make impulsive choices. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you establish better relationships. It can help you and your family members understand that the problems are caused by ADHD, rather than a lack in caring or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. The use of medication and psychosocial interventions is available as treatments. There are many medications available for adults with ADHD. Certain of these medications have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the advantages and drawbacks of the medication.
Adults suffering from ADHD may have the same symptoms as children do, but it is difficult to identify because childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. Adults with ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder or may not be aware of symptoms. A thorough medical history is necessary to help determine whether the symptoms are due to an illness such as thyroid issues, sleep apnea, vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Treatments for adults suffering from ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medications for treating adults with ADHD and their responsiveness rates are within the 70-80 percentage range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also available in a transdermal system that allows for continuous drug delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant drugs for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants which work on dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low-dose medication that should be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is noticed.
Bupropion XL another antidepressant, has been proven to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist and blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transportation system, thus increasing its presence in the brain. This drug is known to improve mood in adults and decrease hyperactivity, however, it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive function as stimulants.