ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent disorder of the nervous system that affects 44% of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, alcohol abuse) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Both medication and psychotherapy are effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The most commonly prescribed medications are stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people who suffer from ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning in response to medication. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD find the combination of medications that is effective for them.
Stimulants, including methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most frequently prescribed medications for adults with ADHD. 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 requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD are also successfully treated with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of drugs can be employed together with stimulants or on their own to boost their effects. However, they could increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, such as an increased heart rate, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam as well as clonidine are used for the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs, initially developed to treat high blood pressure, have a calming effect and can enhance focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. These medications can cause extremely low blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is reduced.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help them cope with feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD and anger towards supervisors, coworkers teachers, family members and others who may nag or criticize them. Family and marriage counseling is a great method to help couples suffering from ADHD better understand each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD aims to improve daily functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also assist people who suffer from ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and sense 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 emotions that are causing difficulties in their lives. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term and goal-oriented therapy has been proven 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 may include group therapy, which is especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD, as it provides the opportunity to meet others who are facing similar issues and learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be offered in person or over the phone. One study examined the effects of CBT against standard therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvements in self-report measures of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared to other psychosocial treatments in adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes between medium and large. These improvements were associated with diverse modalities like cognitive and interpersonal therapy as well as social skills training, problem solving training, as well as mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is warranted when comparing the effectiveness of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is likely that different outcomes of the treatments are due to a variety of variables such as treatment characteristics, measures employed as well as the backgrounds of the patients. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas in the brain where there is too much or little activity, and instructing the person to manage these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues that may be contributing ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy strategies include the use of interpersonal therapy to improve the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to transform negative behaviors and assist in managing self-destructive and impulsive behaviors which can lead to issues at school or work.
In certain cases, psychotherapy is used as an adjunct to medications for adult adhd in adults treatment. People with co-occurring disorders like depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder need to be assessed to ensure their symptoms aren't aggravated by medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, need to be treated with more vigor.
Outpatient intensive programs may be recommended when the person's ADHD is so severe that it interferes with their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide more thorough and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of cognitive therapy, aids people with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive functioning. It helps them recognize and express emotions, and it uses activities and worksheets to make the learning interesting. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT and enhances the ability of people to concentrate and manage their emotions. It increases the capacity of a person to tolerate anxiety and stress. It helps them deal with anger, sadness and other emotions that may be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. In addition to affecting work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and can result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues will allow you improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It can also help you develop healthy coping methods.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and helps them to alter their negative beliefs and behavior. It concentrates on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions that can lead to negative moods and the perception that there are only a few possibilities.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have comorbid anxiety or depression. These psychiatric conditions can cause or reduce the effectiveness of some drugs used to treat ADHD. It is recommended to first treat the most severe comorbidity and then observe its response to the medication before treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can teach you how to manage your life and your work, set up predictable routines, manage time and money and build an optimistic self-image. It can help you learn ways to relax that could reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. In the same way, yoga and other exercise can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing the body in different postures.
Marriage and family counseling can help address the issues that adults with ADHD frequently cause their children, spouses, and others. They frequently complain that they are unstable, unorganized, forgetful and prone to making impulsive decisions. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you develop healthier relationships. It can help you and your family members understand that the problem is due to ADHD, rather than the lack of care or a refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is extremely prevalent. adhd treatment for older adults is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety and addiction disorders. Psychosocial and medication treatments are available as treatments. There are a variety of medications available for adults suffering from ADHD, and some of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of the medications.
Adults with ADHD have the same symptoms as children, however it isn't always easy to identify them since childhood symptoms might not last throughout adulthood. adhd treatment for adults without medication with ADHD might not have any family background of the disorder or may not be aware of symptoms. A thorough medical history is important to determine if the symptoms are due to a medical condition such as a thyroid problem or sleep apnea, hearing and vision problems or lead poisoning.
Treatments for adults suffering from ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and other non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective drugs for treating adults with ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80 percentage range. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also available in a transdermal system that allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medicine and should be increased by 50 mg every seven days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL, another antidepressant, has been shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. This drug is known to improve the mood of adults and reduce hyperactivity however it's not as effective at improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.