ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options

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

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

Medicines

Many people who suffer from adhd treatment for older adults report significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning in response to medication. Due to the many different ways that people respond to medication, it is crucial for people with ADHD to determine a mix that is most effective.

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. Adults can augment an immediate-release medicine with an extended release long-acting medication once a week to reduce the necessity to take it often throughout the day.

Antidepressants such as desipramine have also been found to be effective in the evidence based treatment for adhd in adults of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of drugs can be used on its own or in conjunction with stimulants to increase their effects. However, they can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects such as an increased heart rate, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.

Adults with ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, have an calming effect and are able to enhance focus and decrease the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among certain adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is decreased.

Psychotherapy is also useful for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy helps them deal with feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment against coworkers, teachers, supervisors and family members who may 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

One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to help people learn strategies and skills that help improve performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can also help people who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem and feeling of failure that often accompanies this condition.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists individuals in changing the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives. It also helps to learn new ways of thinking, feeling and doing. This short-term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating many illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies or alone.

CBT can involve group therapy, which is particularly helpful for adults with ADHD because it gives the opportunity to meet others who are facing similar issues and learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or over the phone. One study examined the effects of CBT in comparison to standard therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvements in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.

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

However, caution is advised in comparing the efficacy of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is likely that the differences in the outcomes are due to a variety of factors, such as treatment features and the methods used. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to identify areas of the brain where there is too much or little activity. Then, instructing the person to manage these patterns.

Counseling

Many people with ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require best treatment for adhd in adults. Counseling can help to address these issues, which could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy techniques that can aid in improving the ability of a person to resolve conflicts and develop lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks 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 can be used as an adjunct to medications for adult adhd in adults treatment. Patients with comorbid disorders such as bipolar disorder and substance abuse need to be evaluated carefully to ensure they do not have symptoms that are not improved by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and an history of seizures have to be treated more aggressively as they are at a higher risk of complications from medications.

Outpatient intensive programs may be suggested if the individual's ADHD is so severe that it interferes with their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide an organized treatment that is more intense than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as organizing, and executive function. It helps them recognize and express their feelings and employs worksheets and exercises to make the lessons more interesting. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT and improves a person's ability to focus and regulate their emotions. It increases the capacity of a person to tolerate the effects of stress and arousal. It helps them deal with anger, sadness, and other emotional issues which could be contributing to their ADHD.

Occupational Therapy

Adults suffering from ADHD often report difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting their work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and may result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you improve your self-esteem, resolve underlying problems and develop healthy coping strategies.

Cognitive-behavioral treatment is an effective treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps them to alter their negative attitudes and behaviours. It concentrates on teaching time management techniques and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that can lead to negative moods and the perception of limited options.

Many people suffering from ADHD have depression or anxiety disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric disorders can exacerbate or decrease the effectiveness of some treatments for ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and then monitor the effect of medication prior to attempting treatment for the other condition.

Occupational therapy can help you organize your life and work, establish predictable routines that help you control your time and money and build a positive image of yourself. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that can reduce your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Similarly, yoga and other exercise can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing your body in different poses.

Marriage and family counseling can help address the issues that adults suffering from ADHD frequently cause their spouses, children and other family members. They frequently complain of being unstable, unorganized, forgetful and often prone to making impulsive choices. You can strengthen your relationships by educating your spouses and family members about ADHD. Furthermore it can help you and your loved ones understand that these issues are due to the patient's adhd treatment for adults uk rather than to the lack of compassion or a willful refusal to cooperate.

Clinical Trials

Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is highly frequent. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as psychological treatment for adhd in adults options. A variety of medications are available for adults with ADHD and a few of them have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted the strengths and drawbacks of the various medications.

Adults who suffer from ADHD may experience the same symptoms that children do, but it can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms of childhood may not last into adulthood. Additionally, people with ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder in their family or they may not remember having symptoms. It is important to have an extensive medical history to determine if the symptoms are related to an illness like thyroid issues such as sleep apnea, sleep apnea and vision problems.

Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. The stimulants have the highest response rates for adults suffering from ADHD. Their response rates range between 70 and 80percent. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are among the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be administered via a transdermal device. This allows for continuous medication delivery during the day.

Adults with ADHD can take non-stimulant drugs that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine is the most studied tricyclic and has been shown to be effective in adult patients suffering from ADHD. It is a low dose medication and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every seven days until the desired response is observed.

Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant which has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist which blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter which increases its accessibility to the brain. This drug has been proven to boost mood in adults and decrease hyperactivity, however it's not as effective in improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.