ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a prevalent neurological disorder that affects 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most commonly prescribed drugs.
Medicines
Many adults with ADHD have seen significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning in response to medications. It is crucial that people suffering from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that works for them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants like amphetamines and methylphenidate. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid forms and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Adults can supplement their immediate-release medicine with an extended release, long-acting medicine every week to decrease the need to take it regularly throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can be treated successfully with antidepressants such as desipramine. This class of drugs can be used alone or in combination with stimulants to enhance their effects. However, they can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects like an increased heart rate, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam as well as clonidine are utilized to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, possess a calming effect and can increase focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. However, these medications could cause a very low blood pressure if they are abruptly removed 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 about their ADHD, as well as anger toward supervisors, colleagues teachers, and family members who might nag or criticize them. Additionally counseling for marriage and families can help couples with ADHD be able to recognize each other's challenges and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is to teach strategies and skills that help improve function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help those with ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the feeling of inadequacy they often feel.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists individuals in changing the negative thoughts that create difficulties in their lives and to develop new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating various illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments or by itself.
CBT could include group therapy, which can be particularly beneficial for people with ADHD because it gives the opportunity to meet others who have similar struggles and to learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or over the phone. One study compared the effects of CBT with that of conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvement in self-report measures of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
Several 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 sizes. These improvements were attributed to diverse approaches, including interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is required in comparing the effectiveness of different therapies for adult ADHD. It is likely that the differences in the results of treatment are due to a range of factors, including the treatment features and the methods employed. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to identify areas in the brain that there is too much or little activity, and teaching the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy techniques that can help improve a person’s ability to manage conflicts and create lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to alter negative behaviors and assist in managing impulsive and self-destructive behaviors that can cause problems at work or school.
In some cases, psychotherapy is used as an alternative to medications for adult adhd treatment for adults. People who have comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder and substance abuse should be evaluated with care to ensure that they do not have symptoms that cannot be ameliorated by the medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history or seizures, must be treated more aggressively.
If ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs could be suggested. These programs provide an organized treatment that is more intensive than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD improve their abilities to manage their time and impulse control, as well as organizing, and executive function. It teaches them to recognize and express their emotions and uses activities and worksheets to make the learning interesting. The training in mindfulness meditation improves CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to concentrate and regulate emotions. It also enhances an individual's ability to handle anxiety and stress. It helps them deal with anger, sadness and other difficult emotions that may be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. These symptoms can also affect relationships and can lead to financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you improve your self-esteem, resolve the root of your issue and develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a successful treatment for adults with ADHD and helps them to alter their negative attitudes and behaviors. It focuses on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that can lead to negative moods and the perception of a limited number of choices.
Many adults with ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or reduce the effectiveness of certain drugs used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbidity first and observe the effect of medication before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.
adhd treatment for adults uk Iam Psychiatry can help you manage your work and life by establishing predictable routines, manage your money and time and create an optimistic image of yourself. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that could decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can help you concentration by stabilizing your body in various postures.
Counseling for families and marriage can assist adults suffering from ADHD to resolve the issues they cause their children, spouses and others. They often complain of being erratic and unorganized. They are also prone to forget things or make impulsive decisions. You can strengthen your relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. It can help you and your family members understand that the problem is caused by ADHD and not an inability to care or a refusal to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly prevalent 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 treatments. There are a range of medications available for adults with ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and limitations of the medications.
Adults with ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, but it can be difficult to diagnose them because the symptoms of childhood may not persist until adulthood. Adults with ADHD might not have any family background of the disorder or may not remember symptoms. It is crucial to take a thorough medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are caused by a medical condition, such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea or hearing and vision issues.
Treatments for adults suffering from ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and other non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medications for treating adults with ADHD and their responsiveness rates are within the 70-80 percent range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be found as a transdermal solution, which allows for a continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that work by affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose drug and should be increased by 50 mg every seven days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, has been shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist and blocks the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic transporter, thereby increasing its availability in the brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults. However, it isn't as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving concentration or cognitive function.