ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common disorder of the nervous system that affects 44% of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity (depression, anxiety, addiction to drugs) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed medications.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD have significant improvements in symptoms and performance as a result of medication. It is important that people who suffer from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that works for them.
Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, are the most commonly prescribed medications for adults with ADHD. They are available in liquid or tablet form in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. untreated adhd in female adults symptoms may supplement an immediate-release medication with an extended-release, long-acting medicine every week to lessen the requirement to take it regularly throughout the day.
Desipramine and other antidepressants have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of drugs can be used on its own or in combination with stimulants to increase their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious side effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as alprazolam and clonidine can also be used for the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They are calming and can help improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in certain adults. However, these medications can cause a very low blood pressure when they are suddenly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Adults suffering from ADHD are also able to benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them cope with their feelings of shame and embarrassment about their ADHD as well as resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, family members and others who may nag or criticize them. In addition counseling for families and marriages can help couples with ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is to help people learn strategies and techniques that enhance functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can help individuals with ADHD overcome their self-esteem issues and the sense of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavior therapy, helps people change their negative thoughts and emotions that cause problems in their lives. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term and goal-oriented therapy has been shown to be effective in treating many disorders, such as depression and anxiety. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies or on its own.
CBT may include group therapy, which can be particularly beneficial for people with ADHD as it offers the chance to connect with others who have similar struggles and to learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or via the phone. One study examined the effects of CBT in comparison to conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and discovered that both treatments resulted in improvements in self-report measures of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD. All of these studies demonstrate significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes between medium and large. These improvements were linked to diverse modalities like cognitive and interpersonal therapy as well as social skills training, problem solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is required in comparing the effectiveness of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is possible that the differences in the results of treatment result from a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics and measures employed. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to determine areas in the brain that there is too much or too little activity. Then, instructing the person to manage these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues that could 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 alter negative behaviors and assist in reducing impulsive and self-destructive behaviors which can lead to issues at school or at work.
In some cases psychotherapy is sometimes used in combination with medication for adults with adhd treatment. Patients with comorbid disorders such as bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs must be assessed carefully to ensure that they do not have symptoms that cannot be improved by the medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history or seizures, need to be treated more aggressively.
When ADHD is severe enough to interfere with everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs might be suggested. These programs provide more thorough and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of cognitive therapy, assists adults with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive function. It helps them recognize and express feelings and uses activities and worksheets to make the learning interesting. Meditation training that is mindful enhances CBT and improves the ability of a person to concentrate and manage their emotions. It also improves a person's ability to tolerate stress and arousal. It can help them cope with sadness, anger, and other emotional issues that could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD often report difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and could cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you improve your self-esteem, resolve the root causes of your issues and establish healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults with ADHD, as it helps them to alter their negative attitudes and behaviours. Particularly, it is focused on teaching you how to utilize time management strategies and overcome thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and perceptions of a limited range of choices.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid anxiety or depression. These psychiatric disorders can reduce or even increase the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and observe the effect of medication prior to attempting treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you learn how to manage your life and work, establish predictable routines, manage time and money, and create an optimistic self-image. It can help you learn ways to relax that could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can also help you concentration by stabilizing your body during various poses.
Marriage and family counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to solve the problems they create for their children, spouses and others. They frequently complain of being unstable, unorganized, forgetful and often prone to making impulsive choices. You can strengthen relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. Additionally, it can help you and your loved ones to understand that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD instead of a lack of caring or a willful refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity. This includes depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medication interventions. A variety of medications are available for adults with ADHD and some of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and drawbacks of the medications.
Adults who suffer from ADHD may experience the same symptoms that children do, but it is difficult to identify because the symptoms of childhood may not last into adulthood. Adults with ADHD may not have any family history of the disorder, or might not remember the symptoms. A thorough medical history is important to help determine whether the symptoms are due to a medical condition such as a thyroid problem or sleep apnea, vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
My Home Page with ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants have the highest reaction rates for adults suffering from ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness range from 70 to 80percent. The most frequently used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate may also be administered through a transdermal system. This allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.
Adults with ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication and should be increased by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transportation system, thus increasing its availability in the brain. This drug has been proven to boost mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity but it's not as effective in improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.