"Ask Me Anything:10 Answers To Your Questions About ADHD In Adults Treatment
ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurological disorder that affects 44 percent of the population. It is associated by high rates of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression and addiction to drugs, and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Medications and psychotherapy are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are among the most frequently prescribed medications.
Medicines
Many adults suffering from ADHD notice significant improvement in their symptoms and performance due to medication. Due to the many different ways that people react to medications, it is important for individuals with ADHD to find a combination that works best.
Adults suffering from 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 hour. Adults may supplement an immediate-release medication with an extended-release long-acting medication every week to decrease the necessity to take it regularly throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can be successfully treated with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of drugs may be used in conjunction with stimulants or in isolation to boost their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious side consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, can have an calming effect and are able to increase focus and reduce the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among some adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is decreased.
Adults suffering from ADHD are also able to benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy can help them deal with their feelings of shame and embarrassment about their ADHD, as well as anger toward supervisors, colleagues teachers, family members and others who might nag or criticize them. Counseling for families and marriage is a great method to help couples suffering from ADHD better understand each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to teach skills and strategies that improve performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can also assist people who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and sense of failure that is often associated with this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavioral therapy assists people in changing their negative thoughts and feelings that cause difficulties in their lives. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term and goal-oriented therapy has been shown to be effective in treating many disorders, such as depression and anxiety. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT can involve group therapy, which can be especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD because it gives the opportunity to meet others who have similar struggles and to learn how other people manage 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 improved self-report measures like symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults with 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 interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy, social skills training, problem solving training, as well as mindfulness mediation.
However, caution is required when comparing the effectiveness of different therapies for adult ADHD. It is likely that differences in outcome results are due to a variety of variables, including the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used as well as the backgrounds of the patients. Few studies have examined the effectiveness neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing a hat with electrodes while performing cognitive tasks in order to determine brain regions where there is a lack or excess of activity. The individual is then taught to regulate these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help with these issues that may be contributing ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include interpersonal therapy to enhance the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage self-destructive, impulsive and negative behaviors that could create problems at work or school.
In certain cases, psychotherapy is used as an alternative to medications for adult adhd in adults treatment. Patients with co-occurring disorders like substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder need to be assessed to ensure their symptoms aren't made worse by the medications used to treat ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and an history of seizures need to be treated more aggressively as they are at higher risk of complications from medications.
In-depth outpatient programs could be recommended if the person's ADHD is so severe that it significantly interferes with their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer more thorough and structured treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD improve their abilities to manage time management and impulse control, as well as executive function, and planning. It teaches them to recognize and express their emotions, and it uses activities and worksheets to make the learning interesting. The training in mindfulness meditation improves CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to focus and manage emotions. It improves the ability of a person to tolerate anxiety and stress. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that could be causing their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. These issues can also impact relationships and can lead to financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you build confidence in yourself 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 helps you change your negative beliefs and behavior. It is focused on teaching you how to utilize time management strategies and overcome mental distortions that lead to negative moods and perceptions of a limited selection.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid anxiety or depression. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or exacerbate the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbidity first and observe the effect of medication prior to beginning treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you learn ways to organize your life and work, establish routines that are predictable, manage time and money, and create a positive self-image. It can help you master ways to relax that could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can help you focus by stabilizing your body in different poses.
Marriage and family counseling can help adults with ADHD to overcome the problems they create for their children, spouses and friends. They frequently complain of being insecure, unorganized, and often prone to making impulsive choices. Therapy and classes where spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you develop more harmonious relationships. Furthermore it can aid you and your loved ones to understand that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD rather than a lack of caring or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD. Some of these medications have been tested in trials. These studies have revealed the advantages and drawbacks of the medications.
adhd treatment for adult women with ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children do, but it can be difficult to diagnose because childhood symptoms might not persist in adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their family or may not be aware of having symptoms. It is important to have a thorough medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are related to a medical condition, like thyroid issues or sleep apnea, and vision issues.
Treatments for adults suffering from ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medications to treat adults suffering from ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80 percent range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be administered through a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery during the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose drug and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every seven days until the desired response is observed.
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 transporter, increasing its availability in brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults, but it is not as effective as stimulants in improving concentration or cognitive function.