ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the general population. It is accompanied with a high rate of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression and addiction to drugs, 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 such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults suffering from ADHD have significant improvement in their symptoms and performance due to medication. It is essential that those with ADHD discover the right combination of medication that works for them.
Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Some adults may supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or longer-acting drug taken once a day to lessen the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated successfully with antidepressants such as desipramine. This class of drugs can be used in conjunction with stimulants or alone to enhance their effects. However, they may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects such as a rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam and clonidine are also utilized to treat people suffering from ADHD. These drugs, initially developed to treat high blood pressure, can have an calming effect and are able to improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. These medications can result in very low blood pressure when they suddenly stop, or the dosage is decreased.
Psychotherapy is also useful for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy helps them overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment and resentment towards co-workers and teachers, supervisors and family members who may criticize or nag them. Family and marriage counseling can be a great option 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 teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can help people with ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the feeling of inadequacy they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives. It also helps to learn new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven effective in treating a variety of illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is especially beneficial for adults with ADHD because it enables them to connect with others who have similar struggles and learn about how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to standard therapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures such as symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
Several studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for people with ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were attributed to diverse modalities like cognitive and interpersonal therapy as well as social skills training, problem-solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is advised in comparing the effectiveness of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is likely that differences in the outcomes are due to a variety of factors, such as treatment characteristics and the measures used. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to identify areas of the brain where there is too much or too little activity, and instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues which may be causing ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to enhance the capacity of individuals to establish meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to alter negative behaviors and assist in managing self-destructive and impulsive behavior which can lead to issues at work or school.
In some instances, psychotherapy is utilized as an adjunct to medications for adult adhd treatment for adults. People with comorbid disorders such as depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder must be assessed to ensure that their symptoms are not worsened 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 serious enough to affect daily functioning and quality-of-life intensive outpatient programs might be suggested. These programs offer a more intensive and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD improve their abilities to manage time, impulse control, organizing, and executive function. It helps them understand and express emotions and uses exercises and worksheets to make the learning interesting. The training in mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to concentrate and regulate emotions. It also increases a person's ability to tolerate the effects of stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger and other difficult emotions that could be causing their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD often report difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and may result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you build confidence in yourself and address the root of the issue. It will also assist you in developing healthy coping methods.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches you how to modify your negative thoughts and behaviors. In particular, it concentrates on teaching you to employ time management strategies and overcome mental distortions that lead to negative moods and the perception of limited choices.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or exacerbate the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbidity first and observe its response to medication prior to beginning treatment for the other condition.
Occupational therapy can teach you ways to organize your life and your work, create predictable routines, manage time and money, and create a positive self-image. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that may reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. In the same way, yoga and other exercise can help you focus better by ensuring your body is stable in different postures.
Marriage and family counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to overcome the problems they cause their spouses, kids and friends. They frequently complain of being insecure, unorganized, and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. You can strengthen your relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. It can help you and your family members realize that the problem is caused by ADHD instead of the lack of care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication treatments are available as treatments. There are many medications available for adults with ADHD. Some of these medications have been tested in studies. These studies have exposed the advantages and drawbacks of the medications.
Adults who suffer from ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, however it isn't always easy to diagnose them because the symptoms of childhood may not persist into adulthood. Adults with ADHD might not have any family history of the disorder, or may not be aware of symptoms. adhd treatment for adults uk is essential to help determine whether the symptoms are caused by an illness like thyroid problems or sleep apnea. It could also be due to vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants have the highest response rates for adults with ADHD. Their response rates range between 70 and 70% to 80%. The most commonly used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal device. This allows for continuous medication delivery during the daytime.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants which work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been proven to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medicine and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every seven 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 that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. The drug is known to improve the mood of adults and decrease hyperactivity, however, it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.