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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, anxiety, and substance abuse) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people with ADHD experience significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning due to medication. It is important that people with ADHD discover the right combination of medications that works for them.
Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamines. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form and can be taken as often as every three to four hours. Some adults can supplement their immediate-release dose with an extended-release or longer-acting drug used once per day to reduce the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated successfully with antidepressants such as desipramine. This class of drugs can be used in conjunction with stimulants or in isolation to boost their effects. They may also increase the danger of serious side effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like alprazolam as well as clonidine are used to treat people suffering from ADHD. These drugs were initially developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and can improve focus, and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in certain adults. However, these drugs can cause a drop in blood pressure when they are abruptly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy helps people overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment and resentment toward coworkers, teachers, supervisors, and family members that might nitpick or criticize them. Family and marriage counseling is a great method to help couples suffering from ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is to teach strategies and techniques that enhance performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can also help people who suffer from ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy that can be a result of this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavioral therapy helps people change their negative thoughts and feelings that cause problems in their life. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has proven to be effective in treating a variety of conditions such as anxiety and depression. It can be used by itself or in combination with other treatments.
CBT can include group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD because it allows them to meet others who face similar challenges and learn about how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or over the phone. One study compared the effects of CBT in comparison to conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvement in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms and quality of life.
Several studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for people with ADHD, and all show significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect size. These improvements were attributed to a variety of modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving exercises, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is warranted in comparing the effectiveness of different therapies for adult ADHD. It is possible that the differences in the outcomes result from a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics and measures employed. A few studies have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to identify areas of the brain where there is too much or little activity. Then, teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help to address these problems, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to enhance the capacity of individuals to establish meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help people manage self-destructive, impulsive, and negative behaviors that could cause problems at school or work.
In some cases psychotherapy may be used as an alternative to medications for adult adhd treatment for adults. People with co-occurring disorders like substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder need to be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms aren't aggravated by the medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, need to be treated more aggressively.
If ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with daily functioning and quality-of-life intensive outpatient programs could be recommended. These programs offer a more intense and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of cognitive therapy, aids people with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as planning and executive functioning. It helps them identify and express their emotions and utilizes worksheets and activities to make the lessons more interesting. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT and enhances a person's ability to focus and regulate their emotions. It enhances the capacity of a person to manage the effects of stress and arousal. It helps them deal with anger, sadness and other emotional issues which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD often report difficulty functioning at home and at work. In Recommended Internet page to affecting work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and can lead to financial difficulties. 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 can be a beneficial treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps you change your negative beliefs and behaviors. It concentrates on teaching you to use strategies to manage your time and eliminate thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and a perception of a limited selection.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or diminish the effectiveness of some treatments for ADHD. It is therefore recommended to first treat the most severe comorbidity and then monitor the response to the medication prior to treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you manage your life and work, establish predictable routines, control your time and money and build confidence in yourself. It can help you learn ways to relax that could reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other workouts can aid in improving your focus by ensuring your body is stable in various poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can help adults with ADHD to overcome the problems they cause their children, spouses and others. They frequently complain that they are unreliable, disorganized, forgetful and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. Therapy and classes where spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you develop more harmonious relationships. It can also help you and your family members understand that the problem is caused by ADHD instead of an inability to care or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a frequent neurobiological disorder. It is often associated with other disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatment options. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD and some of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and weaknesses of the drugs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have the same symptoms as children, but it can be difficult to recognize them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist into adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD may not have a history of the disorder in their families or they may not even remember experiencing symptoms. It is crucial to take a thorough medical history to determine whether the symptoms are related to a medical condition, like thyroid issues, sleep apnea or hearing and vision issues.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants have the highest reaction rates for adults suffering from ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness vary from 70% to 70% to 80%. The most frequently used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate can also be administered via a transdermal device. This permits continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine is one of the most studied tricyclic, and has been proven to be effective in adult patients suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose drug and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every seven days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL another antidepressant, has been shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which is effective in blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic cellular transporter, increasing its availability in brain. This drug has been shown to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults, but it isn't as effective as stimulants in improving cognitive performance or concentration.