ADHD In Adults Treatment: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known condition of the nervous system that affects 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity. This includes anxiety, depression and substance abuse and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Both medication and psychotherapy are effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people who suffer from ADHD have seen significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning in response to medication. Due to the various ways people respond to medications it is crucial for people with ADHD to find a combination that is effective.
Stimulants, like amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed medications for adults with 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 may supplement an immediate-release medicine with an extended-release long-acting medication every week to decrease the necessity to take it regularly throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated effectively with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of drugs may be used in conjunction with stimulants, or on their own to boost their effects. They can also increase the risk of serious side effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults with ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam or clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, can have the ability to calm and improve focus and decrease the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among certain adults. However, these drugs can result in a drop in blood pressure if they are suddenly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy helps them deal with feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment toward coworkers, teachers, supervisors, and family members that might nitpick or criticize them. In addition counseling for families and marriages can help couples with ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is to help people learn strategies and skills that help improve functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD overcome low self-esteem and feeling of failure that often accompanies this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavioral 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 and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating various illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT could involve group therapy, which is particularly helpful for adults with ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to interact with other people who are facing similar issues and learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or via the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to the standard treatment for adults with ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report indicators like symptoms, functioning and quality of life.
Numerous studies have evaluated CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were attributed to various modalities such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is required in comparing the efficacy of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is possible that the differences in outcome results reflect a number of variables such as treatment characteristics, measures used as well as the backgrounds of the patients. A few studies have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback, an approach that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to identify areas of the brain where there is too much or too little activity, and instructing the person to manage these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues which may be causing ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy techniques which can improve the ability of a person to resolve conflicts and develop meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to alter negative behaviors and assist in managing self-destructive and impulsive behavior that can cause problems at school or work.
In certain cases psychotherapy may be utilized in conjunction with medication for adults with adhd treatment. Patients with comorbid disorders like bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs must be assessed carefully to make sure they don't suffer from symptoms that aren't improved by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, need to be treated with more vigor.
In-depth outpatient programs could be recommended when the person's ADHD is so severe that it significantly affects their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide structured treatment that is more intensive than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD improve their abilities to manage time and impulse control, as well as organizing, and executive function. It teaches them to recognize and express emotions, and it uses worksheets and activities to make the lessons engaging. The practice of mindfulness meditation improves CBT and improves the ability of a person to focus and manage emotions. It enhances the capacity of a person to manage 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 problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help improve your self-esteem, resolve the root of your issue and develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and teaches them how to change their negative attitudes and behaviors. In particular, it concentrates on teaching you to utilize strategies for managing time and overcoming mental distortions that lead to negative moods and perceptions of a limited selection.
Many people with ADHD also have comorbid anxiety or depression. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or even increase the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe comorbidity first and observe the effect of medication prior to beginning treatment for the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life, establish predictable routines, manage your time and money, and develop confidence in yourself. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that can reduce your impulsivity and hyperactivity. In the same way, yoga and other exercise can help you improve your focus by stabilizing the body in different poses.
Family and marriage counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to resolve the issues they create for their spouses, kids and friends. They frequently complain of being undependable and unorganized. They also tend to forget things or make decisions impulsively. You can strengthen relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. Furthermore it can aid you and your loved ones understand that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD rather than the lack of compassion or a willful refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is very prevalent. It is often accompanied by co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. There are a variety of medications available for adults suffering from ADHD, and some of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and drawbacks of the drugs.
Adults with ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, but it can be difficult to identify them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist into adulthood. Adults who suffer from ADHD may also not have a family background of the disorder or might not remember the symptoms. A thorough medical history is important to help determine whether the symptoms are due to an illness such as thyroid issues or sleep apnea. It could also be due to hearing and vision problems or lead poisoning.
Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. untreated adhd in adults test have the highest response rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their responsiveness rates vary from 70% to 70% to 80%. The most commonly used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal device. This permits continuous medication delivery during the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take non-stimulant drugs that are based on norepinephrine, or dopamine. Desipramine is the most studied tricyclic and has been shown to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose drug and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL is another antidepressant that has been shown to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake at the presynaptic transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. This drug is known to boost mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity but it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive function as stimulants.