Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders

Many people suffering from ADHD have comorbid disorders like major depression (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many depressed patients do not respond well to medications and may benefit from therapy.

Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and increase levels of certain brain chemicals. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are amphetamine, methylphenidate, and similar drugs.

Medications

Adults are able to take many different drugs that are prescribed for ADHD in children. The dosages and effects differ. A doctor will take into consideration the medical history of the patient, family history, and other health issues to determine what medication is best for them.

The most commonly used ADHD medication is a stimulant. It works by adjusting the levels of norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain. The stimulants methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine (commonly known as Adderall) increase the amount of these neurotransmitters. They aid in improving focus and reducing impulsivity and aggression. They come in various forms like chewable tablets, liquids and skin patches. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are more effective because they provide greater patient compliance and a longer lasting, smoother improvement of symptoms.

It is important to keep in mind that comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression may affect the response to ADHD medications. Therefore it is recommended that these disorders be treated first before medication is used as a second measure. Medications that are used to treat comorbid psychiatric disorders include atomoxetine and bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).

Certain patients might have an "rebound effect" in which their ADHD symptoms worsen after discontinuing stimulant medication. In these instances, a short trial of a lower dose of stimulant medication may be helpful.

Certain people are not able to take stimulant medications or use it due to drug misuse or other health issues such as heart or hypertension problems that are severe. In these cases, nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These medications don't cause the same adverse effects as stimulants, and are less likely to be abused or diverted.

Psychotherapy

People with ADHD are able to benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help them learn strategies to improve their lives to manage stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, and cope with problems in relationships or at work. It can also aid in the treatment of those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing, like addiction and depression disorders.

Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), mind-body cognitive therapy, and schema therapy. These therapies are based on the notion that thoughts and beliefs influence how someone feels, thinks and acts. CBT helps an individual identify negative behaviors and thought patterns and then develop and implement strategies to change these. Meditation techniques are used in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help people concentrate on their thoughts and emotions as well as control their impulses and improve executive functioning. Schema therapy, and other forms of psychotherapy that concentrate on the family history of a person could be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD.

In addition to medications psychotherapy can assist in addressing the specific problems caused by ADHD, such as trouble keeping up with schoolwork, resolving conflict and being able to get along with others, ignoring important dates or obligations, and impulsive decisions that can lead to legal or financial issues. It can also help people to identify and overcome underlying issues that may cause ADHD symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.

Psychotherapy can assist people in finding healthy ways to cope and reduce stress. For example, exercise, sleep improvement, and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to a partner or family member who may be dealing with the effects of ADHD on their relationship. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help couples and families learn how to communicate better and manage ADHD symptoms together.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT is a form of psychotherapy which focuses on helping clients overcome their negative patterns of thinking. It utilizes skill-based dialogue with an experienced mental health professional (a therapist) to address the underlying causes of their symptoms. The goal of this treatment is to overcome impairments and implement coping strategies that are compatible with the person's everyday life.

Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT show clients to recognize unhelpful thought patterns and help them build the skills to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can take some time. It is a viable option for those who are unable to receive enough relief from their medications.

A recent RCT study found that when paired with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy on its own in reducing the emotional symptoms, core symptoms, self-esteem and social functioning of adults with ADHD (Clarke and co. 2017). The combination of CBT and methylphenidate is particularly effective for those who have more severe underlying problems.

The therapists who provide this kind of treatment usually work with the client to develop an action plan specific to solving their issues. They usually teach clients the fundamentals of therapy that are easy to implement and have a high likelihood of being successful. Often a chart system is used to monitor progress and reward positive behaviour. This might include the daily report of children that lists the tasks they must complete at school, or the positive behaviors to be demonstrated, and an organized system for tracking and earning rewards. Therapists can also discuss the possibility of the introduction of negative consequences if children fail to complete their work. This can be done with sensitivity and encouragement.

Metacognitive Therapy

A newer type of therapy, metacognitive therapy, helps people change the way they think. This type of treatment can be effective for people who suffer from a variety of mental health issues, including depression. It is a form of cognitive behavior therapy that helps people learn to recognize negative thoughts and their impact on their emotions. This kind of therapy helps individuals develop psychological tools that can be flexible and useful.

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between metacognitive abilities and daily functioning among adults suffering from ADHD. To accomplish this, we evaluated self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning to predictors of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge, regulation of cognition debugging, information management, and evaluation). It was observed that the comprehensive knowledge of people was linked to daily functioning in adults with ADHD however, the regulatory processes were not. The predictive power of a model with metacognition predictors was moderate, which suggests that they could explain significant proportions of the variation in the daily functioning of adults with ADHD.

Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on changing metacognitive beliefs that are dysfunctional and perpetuate states of anxiety and rumination, as well as attention fixation. MCT was created by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model by Wells and Gerald Matthews. One case series has demonstrated the effectiveness of MCT in managing illness anxiety, but it's still relatively new and more research is required to determine its efficacy for other disorders.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of MCT in reducing symptoms of illness anxiety disorder, but it can be applied to a range of disorders and could be more effective than other treatments. It is not a cure, but can be utilized to treat ADHD.

Family Therapy

In family therapy, the therapist works with all members of the family. adhd in adults treatment can gain a better understanding of the client's issues and learn to assist their loved ones. It also assists them in finding ways to cope with their own feelings of frustration and develop healthier communication skills. In addition, this type of counseling can be helpful for addressing comorbidities such as depression or addiction to drugs, which are typically seen alongside ADHD.

The therapist will commence with an intake session in order to gain an understanding of the family's view of the problem and evaluate their potential for intervention by the family. This can be done in person or online. The Therapist will explain to each participant the purpose of therapy and the rules for family therapy.


A therapist with experience treating adults with ADHD asks a lot questions to gain an understanding of the current symptoms as well as their past and the impact they have on their work, family and personal relationships. They will also ask if there are any other mental health issues present like depression or anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured kind of counseling that teaches you to control your behavior and change negative thinking patterns into positive ones. It concentrates on improving your self-esteem and self-control by teaching methods to deal with anxiety and stress. It is a short-term treatment option that can be used in conjunction with other types of psychotherapy.

Individual talk therapy helps people with ADHD to deal with the emotional baggage that comes from underachievement and failure. It can also help them deal with relationship conflicts as well as job changes and academic issues. It can help you learn coping and stress reduction techniques and help you manage your time and money more efficiently. It can also address comorbid disorders such as mood and anxiety disorders, which are often seen with ADHD.