ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options

ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity (depression, anxiety, addiction to drugs) and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.

Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most commonly prescribed medications.

Medications

Many people who suffer from ADHD have seen significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning in response to medication. Due to the various ways people respond to medications it is essential for those with ADHD to determine a mix that is effective.

Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants like amphetamines or methylphenidate. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid forms and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Some adults supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or longer-acting drug that is taken daily to decrease the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.

Adults with ADHD can be treated successfully with antidepressants like desipramine. This class of medications can be used in conjunction with stimulants, or alone to enhance their effects. However, they could increase the risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects like rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.

Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like alprazolam and clonidine are also used to treat adults with ADHD. These drugs, initially developed to treat high blood pressure, have an calming effect and are able to enhance focus and decrease the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in certain adults. However, these medications can cause a drop in blood pressure when they are abruptly stopped or reduced in dosage.

Adults suffering from ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them deal with feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment towards co-workers and supervisors, teachers, and family members that might criticize or nag them. In addition counseling for marriage and families can help couples with ADHD understand each other's problems and improve communication.

Behavioral Therapy

One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to help people learn strategies and techniques that enhance function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help individuals who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the sense of failure they feel frequently.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives and to discover new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has been found to be effective for many conditions such as anxiety and depression. It can be used by itself or in combination with other therapies.

CBT could involve group therapy, which can be particularly beneficial for people with ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to meet others who have similar struggles and to discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or via phone. One study examined the effects of CBT in comparison to conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvement in self-report measures of symptoms of adhd in adults and treatment, functioning, and quality of life.

Numerous studies have evaluated 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 linked to various modalities, including cognitive and interpersonal therapy and social skills training. problem-solving training, and mindfulness meditation.

It is important to compare the effectiveness of various 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 performing cognitive tasks to determine areas in the brain that there is too much or too little activity, and instructing the person to manage these patterns.

Counseling

Many people doctors who treat adhd in adults near me suffer from ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include interpersonal therapy to enhance the capacity of individuals to establish meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to change negative behavior and assist in managing self-destructive and impulsive behaviors that can lead to problems at school or work.

In some instances, psychotherapy is utilized as an adjunct to the medication used for ADHD treatment for adults. Patients suffering from co-occurring disorders like depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder should be assessed to ensure that their symptoms are not worsened by medications used to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and seizures in the past, have to be treated more aggressively as they are at a higher risk of developing complications from the 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 structured treatment that what is adhd treatment for adults more intensive than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a type of cognitive therapy, aids adults with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time planning, impulse control and executive functioning. It helps them understand and express their feelings. It utilizes worksheets and activities to make the learning more interesting. The training in mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and improves the ability of a person to focus and manage emotions. It increases the capacity of a person's ability to handle anxiety and stress. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger and other emotions that may be contributing to their ADHD.

Occupational Therapy

Adults with ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. In addition to affecting their work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and could lead to financial difficulties. 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 successful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and helps them to alter their negative beliefs and behavior. It is focused on teaching you how to employ strategies to manage your time and eliminate mental distortions that lead to negative moods and a perception of limited choices.

Many people suffering from ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or diminish the effectiveness of some drugs used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended to treat the most severe comorbidity and then observe its response to the medication before treating the other condition.

Occupational therapy can help you manage your work and life, establish predictable routines that help you manage your time and money and build confidence in yourself. It will also help you learn relaxation techniques that could decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Similarly yoga and other exercises 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 solve the problems they create for their children, spouses and other family members. They frequently complain of being unreliable and disorganized. They also tend to forget things or make impulsive decisions. Therapy and classes where spouses and other family members are educated on ADHD can help you establish more harmonious relationships. It can aid you and your family members realize that the problems are due to ADHD and not the lack of care or refusing to cooperate.

Clinical Trials

Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that is very prevalent. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. The use of medication and psychosocial interventions is available as treatments. There are a range of medications available for adults with ADHD. Some of these medications have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and drawbacks of the various medications.

Adults suffering from ADHD may have the same symptoms as children have, but it's difficult to diagnose because childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder in their families or may not be aware of having symptoms. It is important to have a thorough medical history in order to determine whether the symptoms are due to a medical condition, like thyroid issues or sleep apnea, and vision issues.

Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants have the highest response rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their responsiveness rates vary from 70 to 80%. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also administered through a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.

Adults suffering from adhd treatment for adults medication are able to take nonstimulant medication that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has 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 effect is observed.

Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant that has been shown to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transportation system, thus increasing its presence in the brain. The drug is known to boost mood in adults and decrease hyperactivity, however, it's not as effective in improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.