ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options

ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. It is associated with high rates of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression and addiction to drugs, as well as 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 medications.

Medicines

Many adults suffering from ADHD have significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning due to medication. It is crucial that people suffering from untreated adhd in adults symptoms discover the right combination of medications that is effective for them.

Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, are the most frequently prescribed medications for adults with ADHD. They are available in tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Some adults supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medicine taken once a day to reduce the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.

Antidepressants like desipramine have also been found to be effective in treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of medications can be employed together with stimulants or on their own to boost their effects. However, they can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, such as rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.

Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like alprazolam as well as clonidine are used to treat people suffering from ADHD. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, have a calming effect and can increase focus and reduce the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in some adults. However, these drugs can cause a drop in blood pressure when they are suddenly cut off or reduced in dosage.

Adults with ADHD are also able to benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them deal with feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment against coworkers, teachers, supervisors and family members who might criticize or nag them. Counseling for families and marriage is a great method to help couples with ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve communication.

Behavioral Therapy

Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by teaching strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can help individuals who suffer from ADHD overcome their self-esteem issues and the sense of failure they often feel.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives and to learn new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating various disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or alone.

CBT may also include group therapy. This is especially beneficial for people with ADHD because it enables them to connect with others who are facing similar issues and learn about how they manage their adhd in adults treatment symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or by phone. One study examined the effects of CBT with that of traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvement in self-report assessments of functioning, symptoms and quality of life.

A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD and have all shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect size. These improvements were linked to a variety of modalities, including interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving exercises, and mindfulness meditation.

It is important to compare the efficacy between different treatments for adults with inattentive adhd treatment adults with caution. It is possible that the differences in outcome results reflect a number of variables that include treatment characteristics, measures employed and the background of the patient. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This method involves wearing a hat with electrodes while doing cognitive tasks to identify brain areas where there is excessive or insufficient activity. The individual is then taught to regulate these patterns.

Counseling

Many people with ADHD also have anxiety or mood disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help address these problems, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy techniques that can help improve the ability of individuals to manage conflicts and create meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to alter negative behaviors and assist in managing self-destructive and impulsive behavior which can lead to issues at school or work.

In some cases psychotherapy may be used as an adjunct to medications for adult adhd in adults treatment. People with comorbid disorders such as substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder need to be assessed to ensure their symptoms of adhd in adults and treatment aren't made worse by the medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history or seizures, need to be treated with more vigor.

Intensive outpatient programs might be recommended when the person's ADHD is so severe that it affects their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer more intense and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD improve their abilities to manage time, impulse control, planning, and executive function. It helps them understand and express their emotions, and it uses worksheets and activities to make the learning interesting. The training in mindfulness meditation improves CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to focus and manage emotions. It improves the ability of a person to tolerate the effects of stress and arousal. It helps them deal with anger, sadness, and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.

Occupational Therapy

Adults with ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. These symptoms can also affect relationships and cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you 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 ADHD because it teaches you how to modify your negative beliefs and behaviors. In particular, it focuses on teaching you to use strategies for managing time and overcoming mental distortions that lead to negative moods and a perception of a limited selection.

Many people suffering from ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or exacerbate the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended that you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and then monitor the response to treatment before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.

Occupational therapy can teach you ways to organize your life and work, create routines that are predictable, manage time and money, and create an optimistic self-image. It will also help you learn relaxation techniques that may decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can also help you improve concentration by ensuring your body is stable in different poses.

Family and marriage counseling can help address the issues that adults with ADHD often create for their spouses, children and their families. They frequently complain of being unreliable and disorganized. They are also prone to forget things or make decisions impulsively. Therapy and classes where spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you develop more harmonious relationships. Furthermore, it can help you and your loved ones realize that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD rather than to a lack of caring or refusing to cooperate.

Clinical Trials

Adult ADHD is a highly common neurobiological disorder. It is often accompanied by co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and non medication treatment for adhd adults interventions. There are a variety of medications available to adults suffering from ADHD and a few of them have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and drawbacks of the various medications.

Adults who suffer from ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children do, but it can be difficult to diagnose because childhood symptoms might not last into adulthood. Adults who suffer from ADHD may not have a family background of the disorder or may not be aware of symptoms. It is important to have an extensive medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are caused by an illness such as thyroid problems or sleep apnea, and vision problems.

Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants are the most effective medication for treating adults with ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80 percentage range. The most frequently used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also available in a transdermal system, which allows for a continuous medication delivery throughout the day.

Adults with ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that are based on norepinephrine, or dopamine. Desipramine is one of the most studied tricyclic and has been shown to be effective in adult patients with ADHD. It is a low dose drug and should be increased by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired effect is observed.

Bupropion XL another antidepressant, has been proven to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake in the presynaptic cellular transporter and increasing its presence in the brain. This drug has been proven to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity, however, it's not as effective in improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.