ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options

ADHD is a well-known disorder of the nervous system that affects 44 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression, anxiety, addiction to drugs) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.

Psychotherapy and medication 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 report significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning in response to medications. It is essential that those who suffer from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that is effective for them.

Stimulants, including amphetamines and methylphenidate, are the most frequently prescribed medications for adults with ADHD. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid forms and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Adults may supplement an immediate-release medicine with an extended-release long-acting medicine at least once a week to reduce the necessity to take it regularly throughout the day.

Adults suffering from ADHD are also treated successfully with antidepressants such as desipramine. This class of drugs may be employed together with stimulants or on their own to boost their effects. However, they could increase the risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects like a rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.

Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam or clonidine. They are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and can improve focus, and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in certain adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure when they suddenly stop, or the dosage is decreased.

Adults suffering from ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. 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. Marriage and family counseling is also a great way to help couples with ADHD better understand each other and improve their communication.

Behavioral Therapy

Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can help those with ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the feeling of inadequacy they often feel.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists individuals in changing the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives and to discover new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as doing. This short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for a variety of disorders including anxiety and depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with other treatments or alone.

CBT may include group therapy, which is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD because it gives the chance to connect with others who have similar struggles and to discover how to get treated for adhd in adults other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or via the phone. One study examined the effects of CBT against conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvement in self-report assessments of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.

A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD and have all shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect size. These improvements were linked to diverse modalities like cognitive and interpersonal therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training, and mindfulness mediation.

However, caution is advised in comparing the efficacy of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is likely that different outcomes of the treatments are due to a variety of variables such as the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used and the background of the patient. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This method involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while performing cognitive tasks to pinpoint brain areas in which there is a lack or excess of activity. The person then learns to control these patterns.

Counseling

Many people suffering from ADHD also suffer from comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that need treatment. Counseling can address these problems that may be contributing ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy strategies include interpersonal therapy to enhance the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to alter negative behaviors and assist in managing self-destructive and impulsive behaviors that can cause problems at school or work.

In some cases psychotherapy can be used as an adjunct to medications for adult adhd in adults treatment. People with co-occurring disorders like addiction to substances, depression and bipolar disorder must be assessed to ensure that their symptoms are not worsened by the medications used to treat adhd without medication adults ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, have to be treated more aggressively as they are at higher risk for complications from the medications.

Intensive outpatient programs might be recommended if the person's untreated adhd in female adults symptoms is so severe that it significantly affects their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide an organized therapy that is more intense than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a type of cognitive therapy, helps people with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive functioning. It helps them understand and express feelings and uses worksheets and activities to make the lessons engaging. The training in mindfulness meditation improves CBT and improves the ability of a person's ability to concentrate and manage emotions. It also increases a person's ability to handle anxiety and stress. It can help them cope with sadness, anger and other difficult feelings that could be contributing to their ADHD.

Occupational Therapy

Adults with ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. These issues can also impact relationships and lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you to improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It will also help you develop healthy coping methods.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults with ADHD because it teaches you how to modify your negative beliefs and behaviors. It focuses on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions which can cause negative moods, and the perception of limited options.

Many adults with ADHD also suffer from comorbid anxiety or depression. These psychiatric conditions can cause or diminish 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 psychological treatment for adhd in adults before proceeding to treatment of the other condition.

Occupational therapy can help you manage your life and work, establish predictable routines, control your time and money and build a positive image of yourself. It will also help you learn relaxation techniques that may reduce your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can help you improve focus by stabilizing your body in various postures.

Family and marriage counseling can address the issues people with ADHD frequently cause their children, spouses, and other family members. They often complain about being unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. You can strengthen your relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. Moreover, it can help you and your loved ones to understand that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD instead of the lack of compassion or a willful refusal to cooperate.

Clinical Trials

Adult ADHD is a highly frequent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity. This includes depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication treatments are available as treatment options. There are a variety of medications available for adults suffering from ADHD and a few of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted both the advantages and drawbacks of the drugs.

Adults who suffer from ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children do, but it is difficult to identify because childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder in their family or they may not remember experiencing symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to help determine whether the symptoms are due to medical conditions such as a thyroid problem or sleep apnea. It could also be due to issues with vision and hearing or lead poisoning.

Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants have the highest response rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their responsiveness rates range from 70% to 80%. The most commonly used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also accessible in a transdermal system which permits continuous supply of medication throughout the day.

Adults suffering from ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine is the most studied tricyclic and has been shown to be effective in adult patients with ADHD. It is a low dose medication and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired effect is observed.

Bupropion XL is another antidepressant that has been proven 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. This drug has been proven to boost mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity, but it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.