ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options

ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the general population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety and addiction to drugs, and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.

Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are among the most frequently prescribed drugs.

Medicines

Many adults with ADHD report significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning in response to medication. Due to the many different ways that people respond to medication, it is crucial for people with ADHD to determine a mix that is most effective.

Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants, such as amphetamines or methylphenidate. These stimulants are available as tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Some adults may supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medicine that is taken daily to decrease the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.

Antidepressants such as desipramine have also been found to be effective in treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of drugs can be utilized together with stimulants or in isolation to boost their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious adverse effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.

Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as alprazolam and clonidine are also utilized to treat people suffering from ADHD. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They are calming and can improve focus, and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in some adults. However, these medications can cause a very low blood pressure when they are abruptly stopped or reduced in dosage.

Adults suffering from ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy can help them cope with feelings of shame and embarrassment over their ADHD as well as anger towards supervisors, coworkers teachers, and family members who may nag or criticize them. Counseling for families and marriage is also a great way to help couples with ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve communication.

Behavioral Therapy

One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adult adhd diagnosis and treatment ADHD is to help people learn strategies and skills that help improve function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can also assist people with ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and feelings of failure that is often associated with this condition.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavior therapy, assists people in changing their negative thoughts and emotions that are causing problems in their life. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven effective in treating various conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or by itself.

CBT could involve group therapy, which is particularly helpful for adults with ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to meet others who are facing similar issues and discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or via the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults who have ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures like symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.

CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments for adults with adhd treatment for adults medication. All of these studies demonstrate significant reductions in ADHD symptoms with effects between medium and large. These improvements were linked to a variety of modalities that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving exercises, and mindfulness meditation.

It is essential to assess the effectiveness of different treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. It is possible that the differences in the outcomes are due to a variety of factors, including the treatment characteristics and measures employed. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas in the brain where there is too much or little activity. Then, instructing the person to manage these patterns.

Counseling

Many people suffering from adhd treatment in adults also have anxiety or mood disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help to address these problems, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy strategies include interpersonal therapy to improve a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help people manage impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behaviors that can create difficulties at school or at work.

In some cases psychotherapy can be utilized as an adjunct to the medication used for adhd in adults treatment. People with comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder and substance abuse need to be evaluated carefully to ensure they do not have symptoms that are not ameliorated by the medications that are prescribed to treat adhd in adults untreated. People who suffer from certain medical issues, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and an history of seizures must be treated more aggressively because they are at higher risk of developing complications from the medications.

Intensive outpatient programs might be suggested if the individual's ADHD is so severe that it significantly affects their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer more intensive and structured treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD improve their abilities to manage time and impulse control, organizing, and executive function. It helps them recognize and express their feelings. It utilizes worksheets and activities to make the lessons more engaging. The training in mindfulness meditation enhances CBT and improves the ability of a person's ability to concentrate and manage emotions. It enhances the capacity of a person's ability to handle anxiety and stress. It can help them cope with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.

Occupational Therapy

Adults suffering from ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. In addition to impacting work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and can result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help increase self-esteem, address the root causes of your issues and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful treatment for adults suffering from untreated adhd in adults relationships because it helps you modify your negative beliefs and behavior. It is focused on teaching you how to employ strategies for managing time and overcoming mental distortions that lead to negative moods and the perception of a limited selection.

Many adults with ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or decrease the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended that you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and then monitor its response to medication before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.

Occupational therapy can help you organize your life and work, establish predictable routines, control your time and money and build a positive image of yourself. It can help you learn techniques for relaxation that can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. In the same way yoga and other exercises can help you focus better by ensuring your body is stable in different postures.

Family and marriage counseling can help adults with ADHD to resolve the issues they create for their spouses, kids and others. They frequently complain of being unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and prone to making impulsive decisions. You can strengthen your relationships by educating your spouses and family members about ADHD. It can help you and your family members understand that the problems are due to ADHD and not a lack in caring or a refusal to cooperate.

Clinical Trials

Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that is very frequent. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression and addiction disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatments. There are a range of treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Some of these medications have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted the strengths and limitations of the drugs.

Adults who suffer from ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, but it isn't always easy to recognize them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist until adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD may not have a history of the disorder in their families or may not be aware of experiencing symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to determine if 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.

Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80 percentage range. The most popular 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 with ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been proven to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a medication with a low dose that is recommended to be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is seen.

Bupropion XL is a second antidepressant which has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter, increasing its availability in brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults. However, it isn't as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving concentration or cognitive function.