ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options

ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4% of the general population. It is accompanied by high levels of co-morbidity (depression, anxiety, addiction to drugs) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.

Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most commonly prescribed drugs.

Medications

Many adults suffering from untreated adhd in female adults symptoms have significant improvements in their symptoms and performance due to medication. It is essential that those with ADHD discover the right combination of medications that works for them.

Stimulants, including amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. These stimulants are available in liquid or tablet form in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Adults can augment an immediate-release medication with an extended-release long-acting medicine at least every week to lessen the need to take it frequently throughout the day.

Adults suffering from ADHD are also treated effectively with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of drugs can be utilized in conjunction with stimulants, or alone to enhance their effects. However, they could increase the risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects like an increased heart rate, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.

Adults with ADHD can also be treated with alprazolam or clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These drugs, initially developed to treat high blood pressure, possess a calming effect and can enhance focus and decrease the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among certain adults. However, these medications could cause a drop in blood pressure when they are suddenly stopped or reduced in dosage.

Adults suffering from ADHD may also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help people overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment toward coworkers, supervisors, teachers, and family members that might criticize or nag them. In addition counseling for marriage and families can help couples with ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.

Behavioral Therapy

The primary goal of psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is to impart strategies and skills that help improve functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can also help people who suffer from ADHD overcome low self-esteem and feeling of failure that is often associated with this condition.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavioral therapy helps people change their negative thoughts and feelings that cause problems in their life. It helps them learn new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for many conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be used alone or in combination with other therapies.

CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD as it allows them to meet others who have similar struggles and learn how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or via the phone. One study compared the effects of CBT against standard therapy for adults with ADHD and discovered that both treatments resulted in improvement in self-report assessments of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.

CBT has been compared to other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies show significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes ranging from medium to large. These improvements were attributed to various modalities such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving and mindfulness meditation.

However, caution is advised when comparing the effectiveness of different therapies for adult adhd treatment for young adults. It is possible that the differences in outcomes results are due to a variety of factors, including the treatment characteristics and measures employed. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing a hat with electrodes while performing cognitive tasks to pinpoint brain areas in which there is excessive or inadequate activity. The person then learns to control these patterns.

Counseling

Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include the use of interpersonal therapy to improve the capacity of individuals to establish meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to change negative behavior and help manage self-destructive and impulsive behavior which can lead to issues at school or work.

In some cases psychotherapy may be used as an alternative to medications for adult adhd in adults treatment. People who have comorbid conditions such as bipolar disorder and substance abuse must be assessed carefully to ensure they do not suffer from symptoms that aren't improved by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and [Redirect-302] seizures in the past, must be treated more aggressively as they are at higher risk of complications from medications.

When ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs might be suggested. These programs offer structured treatment that is more intensive than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD improve their abilities to manage time, impulse control, organizing, and executive function. It helps them understand and express their feelings and uses worksheets and activities to make the lessons more interesting. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT and improves a person's ability to focus and control their emotions. It also improves a person's capacity to manage the effects of stress and arousal. It can help them deal with anger, sadness and other difficult emotions that could be causing their ADHD.

Occupational Therapy

Adults with ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. These issues can also impact relationships and cause financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you improve your self-esteem, resolve underlying problems and establish healthy coping mechanisms.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps you modify your negative thoughts and behaviors. Particularly, it focuses on teaching you to use strategies to manage your time and eliminate thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and the perception of a limited selection.

Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or even increase the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and then monitor its response to medication prior to beginning treatment for the other disorder.

Occupational therapy can help you learn how to manage your life and your work, create routines that are predictable, manage money and time and develop a positive self-image. It can help you learn ways to relax that could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can help you improve focus by stabilizing your body in various poses.

Marriage and family counseling can help adults with ADHD to resolve the issues they cause their children, spouses and others. They frequently complain that they are unstable, unorganized, forgetful and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. You can strengthen your relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. It can aid you and your family members to understand that the issues are caused by ADHD, rather than the lack of care or an unwillingness to cooperate.

Clinical Trials

Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is very prevalent. It is often associated with comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. The use of medication and psychosocial interventions is available as treatments. There are a variety of treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Some of these medications have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and limitations of the various medications.

Adults suffering from ADHD may experience the same symptoms that children have, but it's difficult to identify because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. Adults who suffer from ADHD might not have any family history of the disorder or may not be aware of symptoms. A thorough medical history is necessary to determine if the symptoms are caused by an illness such as thyroid issues or sleep apnea. It could also be due to hearing and vision problems or lead poisoning.

Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants have the highest reaction rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness vary from 70% to 80%. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be administered through a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery during the daytime.

Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants that target norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been proven to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low-dose non medication treatment for adhd adults that is recommended to be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is observed.

Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, was shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist and blocks the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic transportation system, thus increasing its presence in the brain. This drug has been shown to improve mood and [Redirect-302] decrease hyperactivity in adults. However, it is not as effective as stimulants in improving concentration or cognitive function.