ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of co-morbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, and alcohol abuse) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people with ADHD notice significant improvement in their symptoms and performance due to medication. It is essential that those suffering from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that is effective for them.
Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants like amphetamines and methylphenidate. They are available in tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. iampsychiatry can be taken every three to four hours. Adults may supplement an immediate-release medicine with an extended-release long-acting medicine at least every week to decrease the requirement to take it often throughout the day.
Desipramine and other antidepressants have also been proven to be effective in treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of drugs may be utilized together with stimulants or in isolation to boost their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious side effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam as well as clonidine are utilized to treat adults with ADHD. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, have an calming effect and are able to enhance focus and decrease the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among some adults. These medications can result in very low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is decreased.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help them deal with their feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD as well as resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, and family members who might nag or criticize them. In addition counseling for families and marriages can help couples with ADHD be able to recognize each other's challenges and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to teach strategies and techniques that enhance function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can also assist people who suffer from ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and sense of failure that is often associated with this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that cause difficulties in their lives and to learn new ways of thinking, feeling and doing. This short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has proven to be effective for a variety of disorders including anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments or on its own.
CBT can involve group therapy, which is especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD as it offers the opportunity to interact with other people who are facing similar issues and discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or via phone. One study examined the effects of CBT against standard therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvement in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms 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 that range from moderate to large. These improvements were associated with a variety of modalities such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving, and mindfulness meditation.
It is essential to assess the efficacy between different treatments for adult ADHD with caution. It is likely that variations in the outcomes are due to a variety of variables, including treatment characteristics, measures employed and the background of the patient. A few studies have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method 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 - and then instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues that may be contributing ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy strategies include interpersonal therapy to enhance the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control self-destructive, impulsive, and negative behaviors that can create problems at work or school.
In some cases psychotherapy may be used as an alternative to medication for adult adhd in adults treatment. Patients suffering from co-occurring disorders like depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder need to be assessed to ensure their symptoms are not worsened through the use of medications to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and seizures in the past, must be treated more aggressively because they are at higher risk of developing complications from the medication.
When ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs could be suggested. These programs provide structured treatment that is more intensive than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD enhance their ability to manage time management, impulse control, planning, and executive function. It helps them recognize and express feelings and uses worksheets and activities to make the lessons engaging. The training in mindfulness meditation enhances CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to focus and manage emotions. It also enhances an individual's ability to handle anxiety and stress. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that could be causing their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. These issues can also impact relationships and lead to financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you increase self-esteem, address the root causes of your issues and establish healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults with ADHD and helps them to alter their negative attitudes and behavior. Particularly, it is focused on teaching you how to employ strategies to manage your time and eliminate mental distortions that lead to negative moods and the perception of a limited range of choices.
Many people with ADHD also have comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or decrease the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. It is recommended to first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then observe its response to the medication before treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life by establishing predictable routines, manage your time and money and create confidence in yourself. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that may decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other workouts can aid in improving your concentration by stabilizing your body during various poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can address the issues adults with ADHD often create for their spouses, children and other family members. They often complain about being unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and prone to making impulsive decisions. You can strengthen your relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. Additionally it can aid 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 an neurobiological disorder that is extremely prevalent. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity. This includes depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatments. A wide range of medications are available for adults with ADHD, and some of them have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the medications.
Adults with ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, but it isn't always easy to identify them since childhood symptoms might not last until adulthood. Adults who suffer from ADHD may also not have any family background of the disorder or may not be aware of symptoms. A thorough medical history is necessary to determine if the symptoms are due to an illness such as a thyroid problem, sleep apnea, hearing and vision problems or lead poisoning.
Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. The stimulants have the highest response rates for adults suffering from ADHD. Their responsiveness rates range from 70 to 80%. The most frequently used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate may 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 that target dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine, the most studied tricyclic, has been proven to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication which should be increased each seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is noticed.
Bupropion XL is another antidepressant which has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake at the presynaptic transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. This drug is known to improve the mood of adults and reduce hyperactivity but it's not as effective in improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.