ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. adhd treatment for adult women is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity (depression, anxiety, addiction to drugs) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most commonly prescribed drugs.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning when they take medication. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that works for them.
Stimulants, including methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. These stimulants are available as tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Some adults supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or longer-acting drug taken once a day to reduce the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Desipramine and other antidepressants have also been found to be effective in treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of medications can be utilized together with stimulants or alone to enhance their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious adverse 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 people suffering from ADHD. These drugs, initially developed to treat high blood pressure, possess the ability to calm and enhance focus and decrease the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in some adults. These medications can result in very low blood pressure if they are suddenly stopped, or the dosage is reduced.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual talk therapy can help them cope with their feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD and anger toward supervisors, colleagues, teachers and family members who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. In addition counseling for marriage and families can help couples with ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to teach strategies and skills that help improve functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD overcome low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy that can be a result of this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavior therapy, assists people in changing their negative thoughts and feelings that are causing problems in their life. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has been found to be effective for a variety of disorders such as anxiety and depression. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT can include group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for those suffering from ADHD because it allows them to connect with other people who have similar struggles and learn how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to standard therapy for adults who have ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures such as symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
Numerous studies have evaluated CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD, and all show significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect size. These improvements were associated with a variety modalities including cognitive and interpersonal therapy, social skills training, problem solving training, and mindfulness mediation.
It is crucial to evaluate the efficacy between different treatments for adults with ADHD with caution. It is possible that the differences in the results of treatment result from a variety of factors, including treatment features and the methods employed. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to identify areas of the brain where there is too much or too little activity - and then instructing the person to manage these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can address these problems that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include the use of interpersonal therapy to improve the capacity of individuals to establish meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage self-destructive, impulsive, and negative behaviors that can cause problems at school or work.
In some cases, psychotherapy can be used in combination with medication for adults who are seeking treatment for adhd. People with co-occurring disorders like substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder need to be evaluated 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.
If ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs could be suggested. These programs offer an organized therapy that is more intense than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD improve their ability to manage time management and impulse control, as well as executive function, and planning. It helps them identify and express their emotions and utilizes worksheets and activities to make the learning more engaging. The practice of mindfulness meditation improves CBT and improves the ability of a person to concentrate and manage emotions. It also enhances an individual's capacity to manage stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger and other emotions which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD often report difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to impacting work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and could lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you improve your self-esteem and address the root of the issue. It can also help you develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps you change your negative beliefs and behavior. Particularly, it concentrates on teaching you to employ strategies to manage your time and eliminate the distortions in your thinking that cause 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 some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended to first treat the most severe comorbidity and then monitor its response to the medication before treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you learn ways to organize your life and your work, establish regular routines, manage your time and money and build confidence in yourself. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that can reduce your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Similarly yoga and other forms of exercise can aid in improving your focus by ensuring your body is stable in different poses.
Family and marriage counseling can help adults with ADHD to resolve the issues they cause their children, spouses and friends. They often complain of being unreliable and disorganized. They often forget things or make decisions impulsively. You can build stronger relationships by educating your spouses and family members about ADHD. Additionally, it can aid you and your loved ones understand that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD rather than to the lack of compassion or a willful refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is extremely prevalent. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity. This includes depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatments. There are a variety of medications available to adults suffering from ADHD, and some of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and drawbacks of the drugs.
Adults suffering from ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children do, but it can be difficult to identify since childhood symptoms may not last into adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their family or they may not even remember having symptoms. It is crucial to take a thorough medical history to determine whether the symptoms are related to a medical condition, like thyroid issues such as sleep apnea, sleep apnea and vision issues.
Treatments for adults suffering from ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants have the highest reaction rates for adults with ADHD. Their response rates range from 70% to 80percent. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal device. This permits continuous medication delivery during the daytime.
Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants which work on dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has been proven to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose drug 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, was shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that is effective in blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic cellular transporter and increasing its presence in the brain. This drug has been proven to boost mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity however it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive function as stimulants.