ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options

ADHD is a common disorder of the nervous system that affects around 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, and substance abuse) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.

Medications and psychotherapy are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most commonly prescribed drugs.

Medicines

Many adults with ADHD experience significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning due to medication. It is important that people with ADHD find the combination of medications that works for them.

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

Antidepressants like desipramine have also been proven to be effective in treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of medications can be used on its own or in combination with stimulants to increase their effects. However, they could increase the risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects like an increased heart rate, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.

Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam as well as clonidine are used to treat adults with ADHD. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They are calming and may improve focus and reduce the amount of hyperactivity and impulsivity in certain adults. However, these medications can cause a drop in blood pressure if they are suddenly cut off or reduced in dosage.

Adults with ADHD may also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy helps people overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment towards co-workers and teachers, supervisors, and family members that may criticize or nag them. Family and marriage counseling is a great method to help couples suffering from ADHD to better understand each other and improve their communication.

Behavioral Therapy

A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to teach strategies and techniques that enhance functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can help those with ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the sense of failure they often feel.


Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy assists people to change negative thoughts and emotions that cause problems in their life. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for a variety of illnesses including anxiety and depression. It can be used by itself or in combination with other therapies.

CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for those suffering from ADHD because it enables them to connect with other people who are facing similar issues and discover how they deal with their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or via the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting indicators like symptoms, functioning and quality of life.

Numerous studies have evaluated CBT with other psychosocial treatments for people with ADHD and have all shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect size. These improvements were associated with various modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving training and mindfulness meditation.

However, caution is required in comparing the efficacy of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is possible that the differences in the outcomes are due to a range of factors, including treatment characteristics and the measures used. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to determine areas in the brain that there is too much or little activity, and instructing the person to manage these patterns.

Counseling

Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help with these problems, which may be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include interpersonal therapy to enhance the capacity of individuals to establish meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to transform negative behaviors and assist in managing impulsive and self-destructive behaviors that can lead to problems at school or at work.

In some cases psychotherapy may be utilized in combination with medication for adults with adhd treatment. People with comorbid conditions like bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs must be assessed carefully to ensure that they do not have symptoms that are not ameliorated by the medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, must be treated with more vigor.

In-depth outpatient programs could be suggested if the individual's ADHD is so severe that it hinders their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide an organized treatment that is more intense than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of cognitive therapy, assists adults suffering from ADHD to improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as planning and executive function. It helps them identify and express their feelings and utilizes worksheets and activities to make the lessons more enjoyable. Meditation training that is mindful enhances CBT and enhances the ability of a person to concentrate and regulate their emotions. It also enhances an individual's capacity to manage the effects of stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.

Occupational Therapy

Adults with ADHD often have difficulties functioning at home and at work. In addition to impacting work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and could lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help increase self-esteem, address underlying problems and develop healthy coping strategies.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches them how to change their negative attitudes and behavior. In particular, it focuses on teaching you to use time management strategies and overcome the distortions in your thinking that cause negative moods and a perception of a limited selection.

adhd in adults untreated with ADHD also have comorbid anxiety or depression. These psychiatric conditions can cause or reduce the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. It is recommended that you first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then monitor its response to the medication prior to treating the other condition.

Occupational therapy can teach you how to manage your life and your work, create predictable routines, manage time and money and build an optimistic self-image. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that could decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. In the same way yoga and other forms of exercise can help you focus better by stabilizing your body in different poses.

Family and marriage counseling can help address the issues that people with ADHD frequently create for their spouses, children and others. They often complain of being undependable and unorganized. 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 build more harmonious relationships. Moreover, it can aid you and your loved ones to understand that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD instead of a lack of caring or refusing to cooperate.

Clinical Trials

Adult ADHD is a frequent neurobiological disorder. It is often associated with co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. A wide range of medications are available for adults with ADHD and a few of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the advantages and drawbacks of the drugs.

Adults suffering from ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children have, but it's difficult to determine because childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their family or may not be aware of experiencing symptoms. It is essential to take an extensive medical history to determine whether the symptoms are caused by an illness such as thyroid problems or sleep apnea, and vision issues.

Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80 percentage range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also administered through a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.

Adults with ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic and has been shown to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose medication and should be increased by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.

Bupropion XL another antidepressant, was shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic cellular transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. This drug is known to boost mood in adults and decrease hyperactivity, however it's not as effective at improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.