ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4% of the general population. It is accompanied with a high rate of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Medications and psychotherapy are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most commonly prescribed medications are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people who suffer from ADHD have seen significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning in response to medications. Because of the different ways that people react to medications, it is essential for those with ADHD to find a combination that is 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 forms and can be taken as often as every three to four hours. Adults can augment an immediate-release medicine with an extended release, long-acting medicine every week to lessen the necessity to take it often throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be successfully treated with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of medications can be used in conjunction with stimulants or alone to enhance their effects. They may also increase the danger of serious side effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam and clonidine are also used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They are calming and may improve focus and reduce the amount of hyperactivity and impulsivity in certain adults. However, adhd treatment for young adults could result in a drop in blood pressure when they are abruptly removed or reduced in dosage.
Adults with ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy can help them cope with feelings of shame and embarrassment about their ADHD as well as anger toward supervisors, colleagues teachers, and family members who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. Counseling for families and marriage is also a great way to help couples with ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can help those with 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, helps people change their negative thoughts and feelings that are causing problems in their life. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for many conditions including anxiety and depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or alone.
CBT can include group therapy, which is particularly helpful for adults with ADHD, as it provides the chance to connect with others who are facing similar issues and learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or over the phone. One study compared the results of CBT against conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvements in self-report measures of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
Numerous studies have evaluated CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect size. These improvements were associated with a variety of modalities that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving exercises, and mindfulness meditation.
It is essential to assess the effectiveness of various treatments for adult ADHD with caution. It is likely that the differences in outcome results depend on a variety of factors such as the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used and the background of the patient. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to identify areas of the brain where there is too much or little activity - and then instructing the person to manage these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that need treatment. Counseling can address these problems which may be causing ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy techniques that can help improve a person’s ability to resolve conflicts and build meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to alter negative behaviors and help manage impulsive and self-destructive behaviors that can lead to problems at school or work.
In certain situations psychotherapy is sometimes used in conjunction with medications for adults adhd treatment. Patients with comorbid disorders such as addiction to substances, depression and bipolar disorder must be assessed to ensure that their symptoms aren't aggravated by the medications used to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and an history of seizures must be treated more aggressively as they are at higher risk of complications from medications.
If ADHD is severe enough to interfere with the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs could be recommended. These programs offer more intense and structured treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD enhance their ability to manage time, impulse control, organizing, and executive function. It teaches them to recognize and express their emotions and uses worksheets and activities to make the lessons engaging. The training in mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and improves the ability of a person to focus and manage emotions. It also enhances an individual's ability to handle anxiety and stress. It can assist them in dealing with anger, sadness and other difficult emotions that may be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD experience difficulties at work and at home. In addition to impacting work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and may cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help boost your self-esteem, solve the root causes of your issues and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps you change your negative thoughts and behaviors. In particular, it focuses on teaching you to use strategies for managing time and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that cause negative moods and perceptions of a limited range of choices.
Many people with ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or exacerbate the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe comorbidity first and monitor its response to medication prior to attempting treatment for the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life by establishing predictable routines, manage your time and money, and develop confidence in yourself. It will also help you learn relaxation techniques that may reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can also help you concentration by stabilizing your body in various postures.
Family and marriage counseling can help address the issues that people with ADHD frequently cause their children, spouses, and others. They often complain of being unreliable and disorganized. They also tend to forget things or make impulsive choices. Therapy and classes where spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you build healthier relationships. Additionally it can help you and your loved ones realize that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD rather than an absence of care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is highly prevalent. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medication interventions. There are a range of medications available for adults with ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and drawbacks of the drugs.
Adults with ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children have, but it's difficult to determine because childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. Adults who suffer from ADHD may also not have any family history of the disorder, or may not remember symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to determine if the symptoms are caused by medical conditions such as a thyroid problem or sleep apnea. It could also be due to hearing and vision problems or lead poisoning.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants are the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80% range. The most popular stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate can also be administered through a transdermal system. This allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants which work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has been shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication that is recommended to be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is noticed.
Bupropion XL, another antidepressant, was shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and blocks the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its presence in the brain. This drug has been shown to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults. However, it isn't as effective as stimulants in improving concentration or cognitive function.