ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4% of the general population. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, and alcohol abuse) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Medications and psychotherapy are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD have seen significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning in response to medication. Due to the various ways that people react to medications, it is important for individuals with ADHD to discover a combination that is most effective.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants, such as methylphenidate or amphetamines. They are available in liquid or tablet form in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Some adults may supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medication taken once a day to decrease the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Antidepressants such as desipramine have also been found to be effective in treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of drugs can be employed in conjunction with stimulants, or alone to enhance their effects. They can also increase the danger of serious side effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as alprazolam and clonidine are also utilized to treat people suffering from ADHD. These drugs were initially developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and may improve focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in some adults. However, these drugs can cause a drop in blood pressure when they are suddenly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy is also useful for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help them cope with feelings of shame and embarrassment over their ADHD as well as anger toward supervisors, colleagues, teachers and family members who may nag or criticize them. In addition counseling for marriage and families can help couples suffering from ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to impart strategies and skills that help improve performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can also assist people who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and sense of inadequacy that can be a result of this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists individuals in changing the negative thoughts that create difficulties in their lives and to develop new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as acting. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for a variety of disorders including anxiety and depression. It can be used by itself or in conjunction with other treatments.
CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is especially beneficial for those suffering from ADHD as it allows them to meet others who have similar struggles and learn how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or over the phone. One study compared the effects of CBT with that of conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvement in self-report measures of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments in adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies demonstrate significant reductions in ADHD symptoms and effects, with sizes that range from moderate to large. These improvements were associated with a variety of modalities that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving and mindfulness meditation.
It is essential to assess the effectiveness of different treatments for adult ADHD with caution. It is likely that the variations in the outcomes depend on a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics, measures used, and patient backgrounds. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while performing cognitive tasks to identify areas in the brain where there is too much or little activity, and instructing the individual to control these patterns.
adhd treatment for adults uk who suffer from ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which may be contributing to the ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include interpersonal therapy to enhance a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to change negative behavior and help manage self-destructive and impulsive behaviors that can lead to problems at school or at work.
In some instances, psychotherapy is used as an alternative to medications for adult ADHD treatment for adults. People with co-occurring disorders like substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder should be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms aren't made worse through the use of medications to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history or seizures, should be treated with more vigor.
If ADHD is severe enough to interfere with daily functioning and quality-of-life, intensive outpatient programs may be suggested. These programs offer structured therapy that is more intense than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of cognitive therapy, helps adults with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time planning, impulse control and executive function. It teaches them to recognize and express feelings and uses activities and worksheets to make the lessons interesting. The training in mindfulness meditation improves CBT and enhances the capacity of a person's ability to concentrate and manage emotions. It also increases a person's ability to handle stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other emotions that could be causing their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. These issues can also impact relationships and lead to financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you improve your self-esteem and resolve underlying problems. It will also help you develop healthy ways of coping.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and helps them change their negative beliefs and behaviors. It concentrates on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions which can lead to negative moods and the perception of a limited number of choices.
Many people with ADHD also have comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or increase the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbidity first and then monitor the effect of medication prior to attempting treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can teach you methods to organize your life and your work, create regular routines, manage your money and time and develop a positive self-image. It can help you learn relaxation methods that may reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other workouts can aid in improving your 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 friends. Read Alot more complain of being unstable, unorganized, forgetful and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you develop healthier relationships. It can also help you and your family members to understand that the issues are due to ADHD and not a lack in caring or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety and addiction disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatment options. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the advantages and drawbacks of the medication.
Adults with ADHD have the same symptoms as children, but it can be difficult to identify them since childhood symptoms might not last until adulthood. Adults with ADHD might not have an ancestral background of the disorder or may not remember symptoms. It is crucial to take a thorough medical history in order to determine whether the symptoms are caused by a medical condition, such as thyroid problems or sleep apnea, and vision issues.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. The stimulants have the highest response rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their responsiveness rates vary from 70% to 70% to 80%. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be administered via a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery during the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that are based on norepinephrine, or dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has been shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a medication with a low dose which should be increased each seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is noticed.
Bupropion XL another antidepressant, was shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake at the presynaptic transporter and increasing its presence in the brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults. However, it is not as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving cognitive performance or concentration.