ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent neurological disorder that affects 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity (depression, anxiety, substance abuse) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Both psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people who suffer from ADHD report significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning in response to medications. It is important that people suffering from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that is effective for them.
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most commonly prescribed drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form and can be taken as often 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 need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can also be successfully treated with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of medications can be used in conjunction with stimulants, or on their own to boost their effects. However, they may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, such as an increased heart rate, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like alprazolam and clonidine can also be utilized to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, can have a calming effect and can increase focus and reduce the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in some adults. However, these drugs can cause a very low blood pressure when they are abruptly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy is also useful for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help them overcome feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment toward coworkers, supervisors, teachers and family members who may criticize or nag them. Family and marriage counseling can be a great option to help couples suffering from ADHD better understand each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and feelings of failure that often accompanies this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that create difficulties in their lives and to discover new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. adhd treatment for adults online -term and goal-oriented therapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or on its own.
CBT could include group therapy, which can be particularly beneficial for people with ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to meet others who are facing similar issues and discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or via the phone. One study compared the results of CBT in comparison to traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvement in self-report assessments of functioning, symptoms and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies demonstrate significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes ranging from medium to large. These improvements were attributed to various modalities, including cognitive and interpersonal therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
It is crucial to evaluate the efficacy between different treatments for adults with ADHD with caution. It is likely that differences in the outcomes result from a variety of factors, including the treatment features and the methods employed. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, an approach that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while performing cognitive tasks to determine areas of the brain where there is too much or too little activity - and then instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can address these problems that may be contributing ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy methods that can help improve a person’s ability to resolve conflicts and develop meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help people manage impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behavior that can create difficulties at school or at work.
In certain cases psychotherapy is sometimes used in combination with medication for adults adhd treatment. People with comorbid conditions like bipolar disorder, and substance abuse should be evaluated with care to ensure that they do not suffer from symptoms that aren't improved by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. adhd treatment for adult women , such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history or seizures, must be treated more aggressively.
Outpatient intensive programs may be recommended when the person's ADHD is so severe that it affects their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer more intensive and structured treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of cognitive therapy, aids adults with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive function. It helps them recognize and express their feelings and employs worksheets and exercises to make the lessons more engaging. The practice of mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and improves the ability of a person to focus and regulate emotions. It enhances the capacity of a person to manage stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting their work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and could lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you build confidence in yourself and solve the underlying issues. It can also help you develop healthy coping methods.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and teaches them how to change their negative attitudes and behaviours. In particular, it concentrates on teaching you to use time management strategies and overcome the distortions in your thinking that cause negative moods and perceptions of a limited selection.
Many people with ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or reduce the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. It is therefore recommended that you first treat the most severe comorbidity and then observe its response to the medication prior to treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your work and life by establishing predictable routines, manage your time and money and build an optimistic image of yourself. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that could reduce your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other workouts can help you improve concentration by stabilizing your body in various postures.
Marriage and family counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to resolve the issues they cause their children, spouses and others. They often complain about being undependable and unorganized. They are also prone to forget things or make impulsive decisions. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you build better relationships. Moreover, it can aid you and your loved ones to understand that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD rather than an absence of care or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that is very frequent. It is often accompanied by other disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. The use of medication and psychosocial interventions is available as treatments. There are a variety of medications available to adults suffering from ADHD and a few of them have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and limitations of the medications.
Adults with ADHD may experience the same symptoms that children have, but it's difficult to identify because childhood symptoms might not persist in adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from 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 a thorough medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are due to an illness, such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea or hearing and vision issues.
Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medication to treat adults suffering from ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80 percentage range. The most commonly used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate can also be administered via a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery during the daytime.
Nonstimulant drugs for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that target norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose drug and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL another antidepressant, has been shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and blocks the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic transportation system, thus increasing its availability in the brain. The drug is known to improve mood in adults and decrease hyperactivity, but it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.