ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options

ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the general population. It is accompanied by high levels of co-morbidity (depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.

Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed drugs.

Medicines

Many adults with ADHD experience significant improvements in their symptoms and performance due to medications. Because of the different ways that people react to medications, it is important for individuals with ADHD to discover a combination that is effective.

Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants, such as amphetamines or methylphenidate. These stimulants are available as liquid or tablet form in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Adults can supplement their immediate-release medicine with an extended-release long-acting medication every week to lessen the requirement to take it frequently throughout the day.

Antidepressants like desipramine have also been proven to be effective in treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of medications can be used together with stimulants or alone to enhance their effects. They can also increase the danger of serious side consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.

Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as alprazolam as well as clonidine are used to treat people suffering from ADHD. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They are calming and may improve focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in certain adults. However, these drugs can cause a very low blood pressure when they are abruptly stopped or reduced in dosage.

Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual talk therapy can help them deal with their feelings of shame and embarrassment over their ADHD and anger toward supervisors, colleagues, teachers and family members who may nag or criticize them. Family and marriage counseling can be a great option to help couples suffering from ADHD better understand each other and improve their communication.

Behavioral Therapy

One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to impart strategies and techniques that enhance function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD overcome low self-esteem and feelings of failure that is often associated with this condition.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives. It also helps to learn new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as acting. This short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of disorders such as anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies or alone.

CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD as it allows them to connect with other people who are facing similar issues and learn how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to the standard treatment for adults with ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures such as symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.

CBT has been studied in comparison to other psychosocial treatments in adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies have shown significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes between medium and large. These improvements were associated with a variety modalities including interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy and social skills training. problem-solving training, and mindfulness mediation.

However, caution is warranted in comparing the effectiveness of different therapies for adult ADHD. It is likely that the variations in the outcomes depend on a variety of factors that include treatment characteristics, measures employed as well as the backgrounds of the patients. There are few studies that have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing a hat with electrodes while doing cognitive tasks to pinpoint brain areas in which there is a lack or excess of activity. The person is then taught to regulate these patterns.

Counseling

Many people who suffer from ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues, which could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy techniques that can aid in improving the ability of individuals to resolve conflicts and develop meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to transform negative behaviors and help manage impulsive and self-destructive behaviors that can cause problems at school or work.

In certain situations psychotherapy is sometimes used in combination with medication for adults who are seeking treatment for adhd. People who have comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder and substance abuse need to be evaluated carefully to make sure they don't suffer from symptoms that aren't improved by the medication that are prescribed to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and an history of seizures need to be treated more aggressively as they are at a higher risk for complications from the medication.

Outpatient intensive programs may be recommended when the person's ADHD is such that it affects their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer more intensive and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of cognitive therapy, aids people with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time planning, impulse control and executive functioning. It helps them understand and express their feelings and uses worksheets and activities to make the lessons more interesting. The practice of mindfulness meditation improves CBT and enhances the capacity of a person's ability to concentrate and regulate emotions. It increases the capacity of a person to tolerate stress and arousal. It can help them deal with sadness, anger and other emotions that may be contributing to their ADHD.


Occupational Therapy

Adults with ADHD experience difficulties at work and at home. These symptoms can also affect relationships and cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you build confidence in yourself and resolve underlying problems. It will also assist you in developing healthy coping strategies.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps you modify your negative beliefs and behaviors. Particularly, it focuses on teaching you to use strategies to manage your time and eliminate mental distortions that lead to negative moods and a perception of a limited range of choices.

Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from anxiety or depression. These psychiatric disorders can reduce or exacerbate the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. It is recommended to treat the most severe comorbidity and then monitor its reaction to the medication prior treating the other condition.

Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life by establishing predictable routines, manage your money and time, and develop an optimistic image of yourself. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that can reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. Additionally yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing your body in various poses.

Marriage and family counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to solve the problems they create for their spouses, kids and other family members. They frequently complain that they are unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and often prone to making impulsive choices. You can build stronger relationships by educating your spouses and family members about ADHD. Additionally, it can help you and your loved ones to understand that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD rather than to the lack of compassion or refusing to cooperate.

Clinical Trials

Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is extremely prevalent. It is often associated with comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. A variety of medications are available for adults suffering from ADHD and a few of them have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the drugs.

Adults suffering from ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, but it isn't always easy to identify them since childhood symptoms may not persist throughout adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD might not have any family history of the disorder or may not remember symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to determine if the symptoms are due to medical conditions such as thyroid issues or sleep apnea, hearing and vision problems or lead poisoning.

learn more suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. adhd treatment for adults have the highest reaction rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness range from 70 to 80percent. The most commonly used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also available in a transdermal system which allows for a continuous drug delivery throughout the day.

Adults suffering from ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that are based on norepinephrine, or dopamine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic drug and has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose medication that should be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is seen.

Bupropion XL is another antidepressant that has been proven to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist and blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its presence in the brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults. However, it is not as effective as stimulants in improving concentration or cognitive function.