"Ask Me Anything:10 Answers To Your Questions About ADHD In Adults Treatment
ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent neurological disorder that affects around 4,4% of the population. It is associated with a high rate of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, as well as significant social, emotional and occupational impairments.
Both psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed medications are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people with ADHD have significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning due to medication. Because of the different ways people respond to medications it is crucial for people with ADHD to discover a combination that is most effective.
Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants, such as methylphenidate or amphetamines. These stimulants are available in tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken 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.
Desipramine and other antidepressants have also been proven to be effective in treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of drugs may be used in conjunction with stimulants, or on their own to boost their effects. However, they may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects such as an increased heart rate, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like 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 a calming effect and can enhance focus and decrease the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among certain adults. These medications can result in very low blood pressure when they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is decreased.
Psychotherapy is also useful for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual talk therapy can help them deal with feelings of shame and embarrassment about their ADHD, as well as resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, and family members who may nag or criticize them. Additionally counseling for families and marriages can help couples with ADHD understand each other's problems and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
The primary goal of psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is to help people learn strategies and skills that help improve function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help people who suffer from ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the feeling of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives. It also helps to discover new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as acting. This short-term and goal-oriented therapy has been proven effective in treating many illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other treatments.
CBT can include group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD because it allows them to connect with others who face similar challenges and discover how they deal with their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to the standard treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting indicators like symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
CBT has been studied in comparison to other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms with effects between medium and large. These improvements were associated with various modalities, including cognitive and interpersonal therapy, social skills training, problem solving training, as well as mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is advised when comparing the effectiveness of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is likely that the variations in the outcomes are due to a variety of variables, including treatment characteristics, measures used as well as the backgrounds of the patients. There are few studies that have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This method involves wearing a hat with electrodes while performing cognitive tasks in order to identify brain areas where there is excessive or inadequate activity. The person is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can address these problems that could be contributing to 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 is designed to help control impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behaviors that can cause difficulties at school or at work.
In certain cases psychotherapy can be utilized as an adjunct to medication for adult adhd in adults treatment. Patients suffering from co-occurring disorders like substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder must be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms aren't aggravated by 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 serious enough to affect everyday functioning and quality of life, intensive outpatient programs may be recommended. These programs offer more intense and structured treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of cognitive therapy, aids adults with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive functioning. It teaches them to recognize and express emotions and utilizes activities and worksheets to make the lessons engaging. The practice of mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to concentrate and manage emotions. It also increases a person's ability to tolerate the effects of stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that could be causing their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. These symptoms can also affect relationships and cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help increase self-esteem, address the root causes of your issues and develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral Therapy is a great treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches you how to change your negative beliefs and behavior. symptoms of adhd in adults treatment concentrates on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions which can cause negative moods, and the perception of limited options.
Many adults with ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or increase the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and observe the response to treatment before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you learn how to manage your life and your work, establish predictable routines, manage time and money, and create a positive self-image. It will also help you learn relaxation techniques that can decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. In the same way yoga and other exercises can help you improve your focus by ensuring your body is stable in different postures.
Marriage and family counseling can address the problems that people with ADHD frequently cause their children, spouses, and other family members. They frequently complain of being erratic and unorganized. They also tend to forget things or make impulsive decisions. You can strengthen relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. It can also help you and your family members understand that the problem is due to ADHD instead of an inability to care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly common neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression and addiction disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. A wide range of medications are available for adults with ADHD and some of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted both the strengths and the limitations of the medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD might experience the same symptoms as children do, but it can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder in their families or they may not even remember having symptoms. It is essential to take an extensive medical history to determine whether the symptoms are related to a medical condition, such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea or hearing and vision problems.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants have the highest reaction rates for adults suffering from ADHD. Their responsiveness rates range between 70 and 80%. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also accessible in a transdermal system, that allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take non-stimulant drugs that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine is one of the most studied tricyclic drug and has been proven to be effective in adult patients suffering from ADHD. 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 blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transportationer which increases its accessibility to the brain. This drug has been shown to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults. However, it is not as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving concentration or cognitive function.