ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options

ADHD is a common condition of the nervous system that affects 44 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety and addiction to drugs, and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.

Both medication and psychotherapy are effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.

Medications

Many people with ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning due to medications. Due to the many different ways people respond to medications it is essential for those with ADHD to discover a combination that is effective.

Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, are the most frequently prescribed medications for adults with ADHD. These stimulants are available as tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. Some adults supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medication that is taken daily to decrease the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.

Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated successfully with antidepressants like desipramine. This class of medications can be employed in conjunction with stimulants or on their own to boost their effects. However, they may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, such as a rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.

Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam and clonidine can also be used to treat adults with ADHD. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming affect and may improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in some adults. However, these medications can cause a drop in blood pressure if they are abruptly cut off or reduced in dosage.

Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help them deal with their feelings of shame and embarrassment over their ADHD, as well as resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, family members and others who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. In addition, marriage and family counseling can help couples with ADHD understand each other's problems and improve communication.

Behavioral Therapy

Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can also assist people with ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and feelings of failure that often accompanies this condition.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists individuals in changing the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives. It also helps to learn new ways of thinking, feeling and doing. This short-term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating various disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or on its own.

CBT could involve group therapy, which is particularly helpful for adults with ADHD as it offers the chance to connect with others with similar challenges and to learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or by phone. One study examined the effects of CBT in comparison to conventional therapy for adults suffering from untreated adhd in adults symptoms and found that both treatments produced improvement in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.

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

It is important to compare the effectiveness of different treatment options for adults with untreated adhd in adults relationships with caution. It is likely that the differences in outcome results reflect a number of variables such as treatment characteristics, measures employed as well as the backgrounds of the patients. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This method involves wearing a hat with electrodes while performing cognitive tasks to determine brain regions where there is a lack or excess of activity. The individual then learns to control these patterns.

Counseling

Many people with ADHD also suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help address these issues that may be contributing ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy methods that can aid in improving the ability of individuals to resolve conflicts and build meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage self-destructive, impulsive and negative behavior that can create problems at work or school.

In some cases psychotherapy may be used as an alternative to medications for adult ADHD treatment for adults. Patients with comorbid disorders such as bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs should be evaluated with care to ensure that they do not suffer from symptoms that aren't improved by the medications used to treat ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and seizures in the past, have to be treated more aggressively because they are at a higher risk of complications from medication.

Outpatient intensive programs may be suggested if the individual's ADHD is so severe that it significantly affects their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide more intensive and controlled treatment than standard outpatient therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD improve their abilities to manage time management, impulse control, planning, and executive function. It helps them recognize and express their emotions and utilizes activities and worksheets to make the lessons interesting. The practice of mindfulness meditation improves CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to concentrate and manage emotions. It also increases a person's ability to tolerate stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger, and other emotional issues that could be contributing to their ADHD.

Occupational Therapy

Adults with ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and could cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you build confidence in yourself and solve the underlying issues. It can also assist you in developing healthy ways of coping.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for inattentive adhd in adults for adults with ADHD and teaches them how to change their negative thoughts and behaviours. In particular, it concentrates on teaching you to use strategies for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and the perception of a limited range of choices.

Many people suffering from ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric illnesses may aggravate or reduce the effectiveness of some treatments for ADHD. It is recommended to first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then monitor the response to the medication before treating the other condition.

Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life, establish predictable routines to control your time and money and build an optimistic image of yourself. It will also help you learn relaxation techniques that may decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other workouts can help you improve focus by ensuring your body is stable in various poses.

Family and marriage counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to overcome the problems they cause their spouses, kids and other family members. They often complain of being erratic and unorganized. They also tend to forget things or make impulsive decisions. You can strengthen your relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. Moreover it can aid you and your loved ones realize that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD rather than to a lack of caring or an unwillingness to cooperate.

Clinical Trials

Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that is very prevalent. It is often accompanied by comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. There are a variety of treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been tested in trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and the limitations of the drugs.

Adults who suffer from ADHD have the same symptoms as children, but it isn't always easy to diagnose them because childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder in their family or they may not remember having symptoms. A thorough medical history is necessary to help determine whether the symptoms are due to an illness such as a thyroid problem or sleep apnea. It could also be due to vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.

Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. The stimulants have the highest response rates for adults with ADHD. Their responsiveness rates range from 70% to 70% to 80%. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate may also be administered through a transdermal system. This allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.

Adults with ADHD can take non-stimulant drugs that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been proven to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low-dose medication which should be increased each seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is noticed.

Bupropion XL another antidepressant, has been shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that blocks the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its presence in the brain. This drug is known to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity however, it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.