ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options

ADHD is a common condition of the nervous system that affects around 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, addiction to drugs) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.

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

Medications

Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvements in symptoms and functioning due to medications. It is essential that those with ADHD discover the right combination of medications that is effective for them.

Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamines. These stimulants are available as tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. Some adults supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or longer-acting drug that is taken daily to reduce the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.

Adults with ADHD are also treated effectively with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of drugs can be used in conjunction with stimulants, or in isolation to boost their effects. They can also increase the danger of serious side effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.

Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam and clonidine are also used for the treatment of adults with ADHD. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, possess an calming effect and are able to enhance focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulsivity in some adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is decreased.

Adults suffering from ADHD are also able to benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy helps those with ADHD deal with feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment toward coworkers, teachers, supervisors and family members who might criticize or nag them. Counseling for families and marriage can be a great option to help couples suffering from ADHD better understand each other and improve their communication.

Behavioral Therapy

A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to impart skills and strategies that improve performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help individuals with ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the sense of failure they often feel.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that create difficulties in their lives and to develop new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as doing. This short-term and goal-oriented therapy has been proven effective in treating various disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used by itself or in combination with other therapies.

CBT can also incorporate group therapy. This is especially beneficial for adults with ADHD as it allows them to connect with other people who have similar struggles and learn about how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be deliverbehavioral therapy is designed to help people manage impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behaviors that could create difficulties at school or at work.

In certain cases psychotherapy can be utilized as an adjunct to medication for adult ADHD treatment for adults. People with co-occurring disorders like addiction to substances, depression and bipolar disorder should be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms aren't made worse by medications used to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, have to be treated more aggressively as they are at higher risk of developing complications from the medications.

In-depth outpatient programs could be suggested if the individual's ADHD is so severe that it significantly hinders their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs offer an organized treatment for adhd in adults that is more intense than the traditional outpatient psychotherapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of cognitive therapy, aids adults suffering from ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive functioning. It helps them recognize and express their emotions, and it uses worksheets and activities to make the lessons engaging. The practice of mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and improves the ability of a person to concentrate and regulate emotions. It also increases a person's capacity to manage stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.

Occupational Therapy

Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to impacting work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and could cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you build confidence in yourself and solve the underlying issues. It can also help you develop healthy coping methods.

Cognitive-behavioral Therapy is a great best treatment for adhd in adults for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches you how to change your negative thoughts and behaviors. It is focused on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming the distortions in your thinking that can lead to negative moods and the perception that there are only a few choices.

Many people who suffer from adhd symptoms adults treatment also suffer from comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric conditions can cause or diminish the effectiveness of certain treatments for ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and then monitor the response to treatment prior to attempting treatment for the other condition.

Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life and establish routines that are predictable that help you control your time and money and create confidence in yourself. It can help you learn relaxation methods that may reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can also help you improve focus by ensuring your body is stable in various postures.

Family and marriage counseling can address the problems that people with ADHD frequently create for their spouses, children and other family members. They frequently complain that they are unstable, unorganized, forgetful and prone to making impulsive decisions. Classes and therapy in which spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you build more harmonious relationships. Moreover, it can help you and your loved ones realize that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD rather than an absence of care or refusing to cooperate.

Clinical Trials

Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that is highly common. It is often accompanied by comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. The use of medication and psychosocial interventions is available as treatment options. There are a variety of treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been tested in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and weaknesses of the drugs.

Adults suffering from ADHD may have the same symptoms that children have, but it's difficult to determine because childhood symptoms might not persist in adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder in their families or they may not remember experiencing symptoms. A thorough medical history is necessary to help determine whether the symptoms are due to a medical condition like thyroid problems, sleep apnea, hearing and vision problems or lead poisoning.

Medications for adults with ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and nonstimulant medications. Stimulants have the highest reaction rates for adults with ADHD. Their responsiveness rates range between 70 and 80%. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal device. This allows for continuous medication delivery during the day.

Adults with ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, the most studied tricyclic, has been shown to work in adult adhd diagnostic assessment and treatment ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every seven days until the desired effect is observed.

Bupropion XL is a second antidepressant which has been proven to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist and is able to block the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter, thereby increasing its use in the brain. This drug has been found 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.