ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options

ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the general population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, substance abuse) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.

Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The most commonly prescribed medications are stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine.

Medicines

Many people with ADHD notice significant improvements in symptoms and functioning due to medications. It is important that people with ADHD find the combination of medications that works for them.

Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants such as amphetamines or methylphenidate. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid forms 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 long-acting medication taken once a day to reduce the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.

Antidepressants such as desipramine have also been proven to be effective in treatment for inattentive adhd in adults of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of drugs may be used in conjunction with stimulants, or in isolation to boost their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious adverse effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.

Adults with ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam or clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They are calming and can help improve focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in some adults. These medications can cause extremely low blood pressure if they are suddenly stopped, or the dosage is reduced.

Adults with ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy helps people overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment against coworkers, teachers, supervisors, and family members that might nitpick or criticize them. Family and marriage counseling is also a great way to help couples suffering from ADHD better understand each other and improve their communication.

Behavioral Therapy

Psychosocial therapy for adults with adhd symptoms and treatment in adults aims to improve daily functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can help people with ADHD overcome their self-esteem issues and the feeling of inadequacy they feel frequently.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that create difficulties in their lives and to discover new ways of thinking, feeling and doing. This short-term, goal-oriented what type of doctor treats adhd in adults of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of conditions such as anxiety and depression. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments.

CBT could include group therapy, which can be particularly beneficial for people with ADHD as it offers the opportunity to meet others with similar challenges and to learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or over the phone. One study examined the effects of CBT in comparison to conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvement in self-report assessments of functioning, symptoms and quality of life.

CBT has been compared to other psychosocial treatments in adults with ADHD. All of these studies have shown significant reductions in ADHD symptoms with effects ranging from medium to large. These improvements were attributed 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 adult ADHD with caution. It is likely that the differences in outcome results depend on a variety of factors that include treatment characteristics, measures used and the background of the patient. A few studies have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while performing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas in the brain where there is too much or little activity, and teaching the individual to control these patterns.

Counseling

Many people with adhd treatment adults suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues, which may be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy methods which can improve a person’s ability to resolve conflicts and build lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage self-destructive, impulsive and negative behaviors that can create problems at school or work.

In some instances, psychotherapy is used as an alternative to medication for adult adhd in adults treatment. People with comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder and substance abuse need to be evaluated carefully to ensure that they do not have symptoms that are not improved by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, need to be treated with more vigor.

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

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD improve their abilities to manage their time, impulse control, organizing, and executive function. It helps them recognize and express emotions and uses exercises and worksheets to make the lessons engaging. The practice of mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and improves the ability of a person to focus and manage emotions. It also increases a person's ability to tolerate stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger and other emotions which could be contributing to their ADHD.

Occupational Therapy

Adults suffering from ADHD often have difficulties functioning at home and at work. These issues can also impact relationships and can lead to financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help boost your self-esteem, solve the root causes of your issues and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adhd in adults for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches you how to change your negative beliefs and behaviors. It is focused on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that can cause negative moods, and the perception of limited options.

Many people with ADHD also suffer from anxiety or depression. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or exacerbate the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. It is therefore recommended to treat the most severe comorbid condition and then monitor the response to the medication before treating the other condition.

Occupational therapy can help you manage your life and work and establish routines that are predictable that help you manage your money and time, and develop an optimistic image of yourself. It can help you learn relaxation methods that may reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. In the same way yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your focus by ensuring your body is stable in various poses.

Marriage and family counseling can address the problems that adults suffering from ADHD often cause their spouses, children and their families. They frequently complain that they are insecure, unorganized, and often prone to making impulsive choices. You can strengthen your relationships by informing your spouses and family members about ADHD. Moreover, it can aid you and your loved ones understand that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD rather than to the lack of compassion or a willful refusal to cooperate.

Clinical Trials

Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is highly common. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. There are a range of medication options for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in studies. These studies have revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the drugs.

Adults who suffer from ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children have, but it's difficult to identify because the symptoms of childhood may not last into adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder, or may not remember symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to help determine whether the symptoms are caused by a medical condition such as a thyroid problem or sleep apnea, vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.

Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and other non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medications to treat adults suffering from ADHD and their response rates are in the 70%-80 percent range. The most commonly used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate may also be administered through a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery during the daytime.

Nonstimulant drugs for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that target norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, the most studied tricyclic, has been shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication and should be increased by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.

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