ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options

ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4% of the general population. It is accompanied with high rates of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression and substance abuse as well as 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 frequently prescribed medications.

Medicines

Many people with ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning in response to medication. It is important that people who suffer from ADHD discover the right combination of medication that works for them.

Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They are available in tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. Some adults can supplement their immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medication that is taken daily to reduce the need for frequent dosing 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 used by itself or in conjunction with stimulants to increase their effects. They can also increase the risk of serious adverse effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.

Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like alprazolam and clonidine are also utilized to treat adults with ADHD. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, can have a calming effect and can increase focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity in certain adults. These medications can lead to extremely low blood pressure if they are suddenly stopped, or the dosage is decreased.

Adults suffering from ADHD can also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them cope with their feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD, as well as resentment toward co-workers, supervisors teachers, family members and others who might nag or adhd in adults treatment criticize them. In addition, marriage and family counseling can help couples suffering from ADHD be able to recognize each other's challenges and improve communication.

Behavioral Therapy

Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also aid those with ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and feeling of failure that is often associated with this condition.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists individuals in changing the negative thoughts that create difficulties in their lives and to discover new ways of thinking, feeling and doing. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has been found to be effective for a variety of illnesses including anxiety and depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with other therapies or on its own.

CBT could include group therapy, which can be particularly beneficial for people with untreated adhd in adults symptoms because it gives the opportunity to meet others who have similar struggles and to discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or via phone. One study compared the results of CBT with that of standard therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvement in self-report assessments of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.

Several studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect size. These improvements were linked to diverse approaches such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving exercises, and mindfulness meditation.

However, caution is advised in comparing the effectiveness of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is possible that the differences in outcomes results are due to a range of factors, including treatment characteristics and measures employed. There are few studies that have investigated the effectiveness neurofeedback. This method involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while doing cognitive tasks to identify brain areas where there is excessive or inadequate activity. The individual is then taught to regulate these patterns.

Counseling

Many people with ADHD also suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment for adhd in adults. Counseling can address these problems which may be causing ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include interpersonal therapy to improve a person's ability to build meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control self-destructive, impulsive and negative behavior that can cause problems at school or work.

In certain cases psychotherapy may be used as an adjunct to medications for adult adhd in adults treatment. Patients with comorbid disorders such as addiction to substances, depression and bipolar disorder need to be evaluated to ensure doctors that treat adhd in adults their symptoms are not worsened by medications used to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and seizures in the past, have to be treated with more vigor because they are more at risk for complications from the medications.

Intensive outpatient programs might be recommended if the person's ADHD is such that it hinders their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide an organized treatment that is more intensive than traditional outpatient psychotherapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of cognitive therapy, aids adults suffering from ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive functioning. It helps them understand and express their emotions and utilizes exercises and worksheets to make the lessons interesting. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT, and it improves the ability of a person to concentrate and control their emotions. It also increases a person's ability to handle anxiety and stress. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that could be contributing to their ADHD.

Occupational Therapy

Adults with ADHD often report difficulty functioning at home and at work. These issues can also impact relationships and can lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you boost your self-esteem, solve underlying problems and establish healthy coping mechanisms.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps you change your negative thoughts and behaviors. It focuses on teaching time management techniques and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that can cause negative moods, and the perception that there are only a few possibilities.

Many people who suffer from ADHD also have comorbid anxiety or depression. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or decrease the effectiveness of certain medications 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 teach you ways to organize your life and your work, establish routines that are predictable, manage time and money, and create an optimistic self-image. It can also help you learn ways to relax that could reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Additionally yoga and other exercises can help you improve your focus by stabilizing your body in various poses.

Marriage and family counseling can address the problems that adults suffering from ADHD often cause their children, spouses, and other family members. They often complain about being undependable and unorganized. They are also prone to forget things or make impulsive choices. Classes and therapy in which spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you develop more harmonious relationships. Moreover, it can help you and your loved ones to understand that these issues are linked to the patient's adhd treatment for adults rather than the lack of compassion or an unwillingness to cooperate.

Clinical Trials

Adult ADHD is a highly frequent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety and addiction disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD. Certain of these medications have been tested in trials. These studies have highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the medications.

Adults who suffer from ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, however it isn't always easy to recognize them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist into adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder in their family or they may not remember experiencing symptoms. A thorough medical history is important to help determine whether the symptoms are due to an illness such as thyroid issues or sleep apnea, hearing and vision problems or lead poisoning.

Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants have the highest reaction rates for adults suffering from ADHD. Their response rates vary from 70% to 80%. The most popular stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery during the day.

Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants that target norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medicine and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired effect is observed.

Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant that has been proven to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake at the presynaptic transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults, but it is not as effective as stimulants in improving concentration or cognitive function.