ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent disorder of the nervous system that affects 44% of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of co-morbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, substance abuse) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD have significant improvements in symptoms and performance due to medications. It is essential that those suffering from ADHD find the combination of medication that works for them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate. adhd in adults treatment are available in liquid or tablet form in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Some adults may supplement an 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 be treated effectively with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of medications can be used by itself or in conjunction with stimulants to increase their effects. However, they can 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 are also used to treat adults with ADHD. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming affect and can improve focus, and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in certain adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is reduced.
Adults with ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help people deal with feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment towards co-workers and teachers, supervisors and family members who may criticize or nag them. Marriage and family counseling is a great method to help couples with ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can help individuals with ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the sense of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists individuals in changing the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives and to develop new ways of thinking, feeling and doing. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used by itself or in combination with other therapies.
CBT may also include group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD as it allows them to connect with other people who have similar struggles and discover how they deal with 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 led to improvements in self-report measures of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared to 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, including interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training and mindfulness meditation.
It is essential to assess the effectiveness of various treatments for adults with ADHD with caution. It is possible that the differences in the outcomes result from a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics and the measures employed. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, an approach that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to determine areas of the brain where there is too much or little activity. Then, teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD also have anxiety or mood disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help with these issues, which may be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to enhance the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help people manage self-destructive, impulsive and negative behavior that can cause problems at work or school.
In some instances psychotherapy can be used as an alternative to the medication used for adhd treatment for adults. People with comorbid conditions like bipolar disorder and substance abuse need to be evaluated carefully to make sure they don't have symptoms that are not improved by the medication used to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and seizures in the past, must be treated more aggressively as they are at a higher risk of developing complications from the medications.
Intensive outpatient programs might be recommended if the person's ADHD is so severe that it interferes with their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer a more intense and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of cognitive therapy, assists adults with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time planning, impulse control and executive function. It helps them recognize and express their feelings. It uses worksheets and activities to make the learning more enjoyable. The practice of mindfulness meditation improves CBT and enhances the capacity of a person's ability to concentrate and manage emotions. It also increases a person's ability to tolerate stress and arousal. It can help them cope with anger, sadness, and other emotions that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. In Get Source to affecting work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and can result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you improve your self-esteem, resolve underlying problems and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment is an effective treatment for adults with ADHD and teaches them how to change their negative attitudes and behavior. It is focused on teaching you how to use time management strategies and overcome the distortions in your thinking that cause negative moods and a perception of limited choices.
Many adults with ADHD also have comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or diminish the effectiveness of some treatments for ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended to first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then monitor its reaction to the medication prior treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can teach you ways to organize your life and work, set up predictable routines, manage time and money and build an optimistic self-image. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that could decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other workouts can help you concentration by stabilizing your body during different poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can address the issues people with ADHD frequently cause their children, spouses, and others. They often complain about being erratic and unorganized. They are also prone to forget things or make impulsive decisions. Classes and therapy in which spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you establish better relationships. It can aid you and your family members understand that the problem is caused by ADHD instead of an inability to care or a refusal 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 treatment options. A wide range of medications are available for adults suffering from ADHD, and some of them have been tested in clinical trials. adhd treatment adults have highlighted the strengths and drawbacks of the medications.
Adults with ADHD may experience the same symptoms as children do, but it is difficult to determine because the symptoms of childhood may not last into adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD might not have any family background of the disorder or may not remember symptoms. A thorough medical history is necessary to help determine whether the symptoms are due to an illness such as a thyroid problem or sleep apnea, issues with vision and hearing or lead poisoning.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. The stimulants have the highest response rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their responsiveness rates vary from 70% to 70% to 80%. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also accessible as a transdermal solution, which allows for a continuous drug delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that target norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine is one of the most studied tricyclic and has been shown to be effective in adult patients suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose medication and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant which has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist and works by blocking the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its presence in the brain. This drug has been found to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults. However, it isn't as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving cognitive performance or concentration.