ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent neurological disorder that affects around 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity (depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Both medication and psychotherapy are 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 as a result of medication. Because of the different ways people respond to medications it is crucial for people with ADHD to determine a mix that is effective.
Stimulants, like methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. These stimulants are available as liquid or tablet form in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. Adults can augment an immediate-release medicine with an extended release long-acting medicine at least every week to decrease the requirement to take it often throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be successfully treated with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of drugs can be used by itself or in conjunction with stimulants to enhance their effects. However, they could increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects such as an increased heart rate, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These drugs were initially developed to treat hypertension. They are calming and can improve focus, and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in certain adults. However, these medications can cause a drop in blood pressure when they are abruptly removed or reduced in dosage.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help people to overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment and resentment toward coworkers, supervisors, teachers and family members who might nitpick or criticize them. Counseling for families and marriage is a great method to help couples suffering from ADHD to better understand each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can help individuals who suffer from ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the feeling of failure they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavior therapy, assists people in changing their negative thoughts and feelings that cause problems in their life. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT could involve group therapy, which is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD because it gives the opportunity to interact with other people with similar challenges and to learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be offered in person or via phone. One study compared the effects of CBT against standard therapy for adults with ADHD and discovered that both treatments resulted in improvements in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
Numerous studies have evaluated CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD, and all show significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were linked to diverse modalities like interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy and 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 differences in outcomes results result from a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics and measures used. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, an approach that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to identify areas in the brain that there is too much or little activity, and instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help to address these issues, which could be contributing to the ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to enhance the capacity of individuals to establish meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to change negative behavior and assist in managing impulsive and self-destructive behaviors which can lead to issues at work or school.
In some cases psychotherapy may be utilized in conjunction with medication for adults adhd treatment. Patients suffering from multiple disorders like substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder need to be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms aren't made worse by medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, must be treated more aggressively.
If ADHD is serious enough to affect everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs might be suggested. These programs offer a more intense and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a type of cognitive therapy, assists people with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time planning, impulse control and executive functioning. It helps them understand and express emotions and uses exercises and worksheets to make the lessons interesting. The practice of mindfulness meditation enhances CBT and improves the ability of a person's ability to concentrate and regulate emotions. It enhances the capacity of a person to manage the effects of stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with anger, sadness and other emotional issues that may be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. These symptoms can also affect relationships and lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues will allow you build confidence in yourself and resolve underlying problems. It can also assist you in developing healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and teaches them how to change their negative beliefs and behavior. It focuses on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions that can cause negative moods, and the perception that there are only a few options.
Many adults with ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric disorders can reduce or even increase the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. It is recommended that you first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then observe its response to the medication before treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life, establish predictable routines, manage your money and time and create confidence in yourself. It can help you master relaxation methods that may reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Similarly, yoga and other exercise can help you focus better by stabilizing the body in different postures.
Family and marriage counseling can help address the issues that adults suffering from ADHD often cause their spouses, children and other family members. They often complain about being erratic and unorganized. They also tend to forget things or make impulsive choices. Classes and therapy in which spouses and other family members are educated on ADHD can help you build more harmonious relationships. It can also help you and your family members to understand that the problem is due to ADHD and not the lack of care or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is very frequent. It is often accompanied by comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication treatments are available as treatment options. There are many treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been tested in trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and the limitations of the drugs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have the same symptoms as children, but it isn't always easy to recognize them since childhood symptoms may not persist into adulthood. Adults who suffer from ADHD might not have any family history of the disorder, or might not remember the symptoms. A thorough medical history is important to determine if the symptoms are caused by medical conditions such as a thyroid problem, sleep apnea, hearing and vision problems or lead poisoning.
Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. treatment for adhd in adults uk are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD and their response rates are in the 70 - 80 percentage range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be administered via a transdermal device. This permits continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that target dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine is the most studied tricyclic drug and has been proven to be effective in adult patients suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose medicine and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, has been shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake in the presynaptic cellular transporter and increasing its presence in the brain. The drug is known to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity, however, it's not as effective at improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.