ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent disorder of the nervous system that affects 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied with high rates of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse as well as significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Internet Page and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are among the most frequently prescribed medications.
Medicines
Many people with ADHD experience significant improvement in their symptoms and performance as a result of medication. It is important that people suffering from ADHD find the combination of medications 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 forms and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Adults can augment an immediate-release medicine with an extended-release long-acting medication every week to decrease the necessity to take it frequently throughout the day.
Antidepressants such as desipramine have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of medications can be employed in conjunction with stimulants, or in isolation to boost their effects. They can also increase the danger of serious side consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam or clonidine. They are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, have the ability to calm and enhance focus and decrease the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in some adults. These medications can lead to extremely low blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is reduced.
Adults with ADHD are also able to benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy helps people overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment and resentment towards co-workers and supervisors, teachers and family members who might nitpick or criticize them. Family and marriage counseling is also a great way to help couples with ADHD to better understand each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
The primary goal of psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is to help people learn skills and strategies that improve function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help those with ADHD overcome their self-esteem issues and the sense of failure they feel frequently.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that create difficulties in their lives and to develop new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for a variety of conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments or by itself.
CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is especially beneficial for adults with ADHD as it allows them to connect with other people who are facing similar issues and discover how they deal with their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or via the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults with ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures like symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
Numerous studies have evaluated CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD and have all shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were linked to a variety of modalities such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is warranted when comparing the effectiveness of different therapies for adult ADHD. It is likely that the variations in the outcomes depend on a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics, measures employed as well as the backgrounds of the patients. 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 in 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 require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include the use of interpersonal therapy to improve the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to change negative behavior and help manage impulsive and self-destructive behaviors that can lead to problems at school or at work.
In certain cases psychotherapy may be utilized as an adjunct to medications for adult adhd in adults treatment. Patients with comorbid disorders such as bipolar disorder, and substance abuse need to be evaluated carefully to ensure that they do not have symptoms that cannot be improved by the medication used to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, have to be treated more aggressively as they are at higher risk for complications from the medications.
If ADHD is serious enough to affect everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs could be recommended. These programs provide structured treatment that is more intense than traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD improve their abilities to manage time, impulse control, organizing, and executive function. It helps them identify and express their emotions and employs worksheets and exercises to make the lessons more enjoyable. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT, and it improves the ability of people to concentrate and regulate their emotions. It improves the ability of a person to manage stress and arousal. It can help them cope with sadness, anger, and other emotional issues which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD often have difficulties functioning at home and at work. These issues can also impact relationships and can lead to financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you to improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It can also help you develop healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches you how to modify your negative beliefs and behavior. It concentrates on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions which can lead to negative moods and the perception of limited choices.
Many people with ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders as comorbid conditions. 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 its response to medication before proceeding to treatment of the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your life and work by establishing predictable routines that help you manage your time and money and create an optimistic image of yourself. It can also help you learn ways to relax that could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can help you improve focus by stabilizing your body in various poses.
Marriage and family counseling can address the issues adults suffering from ADHD often create for their spouses, children and others. They often complain about being unstable, unorganized, forgetful and often prone to making impulsive choices. You can strengthen your relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. It can help you and your family members realize that the problem is caused by ADHD and not a lack in caring or a refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety and addiction disorders. Psychosocial and medication treatments are 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. These studies have revealed the strengths and limitations of the drugs.
Adults with ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children do, but it can be difficult to identify because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD may not have a history of the disorder in their families or they may not even remember experiencing symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to determine if the symptoms are caused by an illness such as a thyroid problem, sleep apnea, vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80 percent range. The most popular stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate is also available in a transdermal system which allows for a continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medications for adults with 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 medication that should be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is noticed.
Bupropion XL is a second antidepressant that has been shown to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist and blocks the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic transporter, thereby increasing its use in the brain. This drug has been shown to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults. However, it isn't as effective as stimulants in improving cognitive performance or concentration.