ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent neurological disorder that affects 44 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity (depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Both medication and psychotherapy are effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people who suffer from ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning when they take medication. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD find the combination of medications that is effective for them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants like amphetamines and methylphenidate. 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 medication with an extended-release long-acting medication every week to decrease the requirement to take it regularly throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD are also treated effectively with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of drugs can be used alone or in combination with stimulants to boost their effects. They can also increase the risk of serious side effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam or clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, possess the ability to calm and enhance focus and decrease the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in certain adults. However, these medications can cause a drop in blood pressure when they are suddenly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Adults with ADHD may also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them to overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment toward coworkers, supervisors, teachers, and family members that may criticize or nag them. Family and marriage counseling can be a great option to help couples suffering from ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by teaching strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can help individuals who suffer from ADHD overcome their self-esteem issues and the sense of failure they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavior therapy, assists people in changing their negative thoughts and emotions that cause problems in their life. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of conditions such as anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments or on its own.
CBT can include group therapy. untreated adhd in female adults symptoms is especially beneficial for people with ADHD because it enables them to connect with other people who have similar struggles and learn about how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or via phone. One study examined the effects of CBT with that of traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvements in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
Numerous studies have evaluated CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were associated with various modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is advised when comparing the effectiveness of different therapies for adult ADHD. It is likely that the differences in outcomes results are due to a range of factors, including the treatment characteristics and measures used. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing a hat with electrodes while doing cognitive tasks to determine brain regions where there is excessive or inadequate activity. The individual is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues which may be causing ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy methods that can help improve the ability of a person to manage conflicts and create lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help people manage self-destructive, impulsive, and negative behaviors that could cause problems at work or school.
In some cases psychotherapy can be utilized as an adjunct to medications for adult ADHD treatment for adults. People who have comorbid conditions like bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs should be evaluated with care to make sure they don't have symptoms that cannot be improved by the medication that are prescribed to treat ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and an history of seizures must be treated with more vigor because they are at a higher risk for complications from the medications.
Outpatient intensive programs may be recommended if the person's ADHD is so severe that it significantly affects their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer more intensive and structured treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD enhance their ability to manage their time and impulse control, as well as organizing, and executive function. It teaches them to recognize and express emotions, and it uses activities and worksheets to make the lessons interesting. The training in mindfulness meditation enhances CBT and enhances the capacity of a person's ability to concentrate and regulate emotions. It improves the ability of a person to tolerate stress and arousal. It can help them deal with anger, sadness and other difficult emotions that may be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. These issues can also impact relationships and can lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you increase self-esteem, address the root of your issue and establish healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and helps them to alter their negative beliefs and behaviors. It concentrates on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions that can cause negative moods, and the perception of limited choices.
Many people with ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric disorders can reduce or increase the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. It is therefore recommended to first treat the most severe comorbidity and then monitor the reaction to the medication prior treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life by establishing predictable routines to manage your time and money and build an optimistic image of yourself. It can help you master ways to relax that could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Similarly, yoga and other exercise can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing the body in various poses.
Marriage and family counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to solve the problems they cause their spouses, kids and friends. They often complain of 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 educated about ADHD can help you establish more harmonious relationships. Moreover, it can aid you and your loved ones to understand that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD rather than to the lack of compassion or a willful refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a frequent neurobiological disorder. It is often associated with other disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. There are a range of medications available for adults with ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in studies. These studies have revealed the strengths and the limitations of the medication.
Adults suffering from ADHD might experience the same symptoms as children have, but it's difficult to diagnose because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD may also not have an ancestral history of the disorder, or may not be aware of symptoms. It is important to have a thorough medical history to determine if the symptoms are related to an illness, such as thyroid problems or sleep apnea, and vision problems.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80 percent range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also accessible in a transdermal system which allows for a continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, the most studied tricyclic, has been shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a medication with a low dose that should be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is another antidepressant that has been shown to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake at the presynaptic transporter, increasing its availability in brain. This drug is known to boost mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity, however it's not as effective in improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.