"Ask Me Anything": Ten Responses To Your Questions About ADHD In Adults Treatment

ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options

ADHD is a well-known condition of the nervous system that affects around 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression, 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 and amphetamine.

Medications

Many people with ADHD notice significant improvement in their symptoms and performance as a result of medication. Because of the different ways people respond to medications it is crucial for people with ADHD to discover a combination that works best.

Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants, such as methylphenidate or amphetamines. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid forms and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Adults can supplement their immediate-release medicine with an extended-release long-acting medication every week to decrease the need to take it often throughout the day.

Adults suffering from ADHD can be treated effectively with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of medications can be utilized 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.

Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam and clonidine can also be used for the treatment of adults with ADHD. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, can have an calming effect and are able to enhance focus and decrease the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among certain adults. These medications can result in very low blood pressure if they are suddenly stopped, or the dosage is reduced.

Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help them deal with their feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD, as well as anger toward supervisors, colleagues teachers, family members and others who might nag or criticize them. Family and marriage counseling is also a great way to help couples suffering from ADHD to better understand each other and improve their communication.

Behavioral Therapy

Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD seeks to improve everyday functioning by teaching strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can help people who suffer from ADHD overcome their self-esteem problems and the feeling of failure they often feel.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that cause difficulties in their lives and to learn new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as doing. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has proven to be effective for a variety of conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies.

CBT may also include group therapy. This is especially beneficial for those suffering from ADHD as it allows them to connect with other people who have similar struggles and discover how they deal with their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or via the phone. One study compared the effects of CBT in comparison to standard therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvements in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.

Several studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for people with ADHD, and all show significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect size. 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 warranted in comparing the effectiveness of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is possible that the differences in outcome results depend on a variety of factors, including the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used, and patient backgrounds. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas in the brain where there is too much or little activity. Then, instructing the individual to control these patterns.

Counseling

Many people suffering from ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help address these issues that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include interpersonal therapy to improve the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage self-destructive, impulsive and negative behavior that can create problems at school or work.

In certain cases, psychotherapy is used as an alternative to medication for adult adhd in adults treatment. People with comorbid disorders such as depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder must be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms aren't aggravated through the use of medications to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and an history of seizures must be treated with more vigor because they are more at risk for complications from the medications.

When ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with daily functioning and quality-of-life intensive outpatient programs could be recommended. These programs offer structured treatment that is more intensive than traditional outpatient psychotherapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD enhance their ability to manage their time, impulse control, executive function, and planning. It helps them understand and express their feelings. It utilizes worksheets and activities to make the lessons more engaging. Meditation training that is mindful enhances CBT, and it improves a person's ability to focus and control their emotions. It increases the capacity of a person to manage anxiety and stress. It can help them deal with anger, sadness and other difficult emotions that may be contributing to their ADHD.

Occupational Therapy

Adults suffering from ADHD often report difficulty functioning at home and at work. These issues can also impact relationships and can lead to financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you to improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues.  psychological treatment for adhd in adults  will also assist you in developing healthy coping strategies.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches you how to change your negative beliefs and behavior. It focuses on teaching you to employ time management strategies and overcome mental distortions that lead to negative moods and the perception of limited choices.

Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid anxiety or depression. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or even increase the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. It is recommended that you first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then observe its response to the medication before treating the other disorder.

Occupational therapy can help you manage your life and work by establishing predictable routines that help you manage your time and money and build confidence in yourself. It can help you learn relaxation methods that may reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Additionally yoga and other forms of exercise can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing your body in different poses.

Family and marriage counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to solve the problems they cause their spouses, kids and friends. They frequently complain of being undependable and unorganized. They are also prone to forget things or make impulsive decisions. You can build stronger relationships by educating your spouses and family members about ADHD. Moreover it can aid you and your loved ones to understand that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD rather than an absence of care or an unwillingness to cooperate.

Clinical Trials

Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is very frequent. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatment options. There are a variety of medications available for adults suffering from ADHD, and some of them have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and drawbacks of the drugs.

Adults suffering from ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, however it isn't always easy to diagnose them because childhood symptoms may not persist into adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD may not have a history of the disorder in their family or they may not remember experiencing symptoms. A thorough medical history is necessary to help determine whether the symptoms are caused by a medical condition like thyroid problems or sleep apnea. It could also be due to issues with vision and hearing or lead poisoning.

Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants are the most effective drugs to treat adults suffering from ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80 percentage range. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also available in a transdermal system, that allows for continuous supply of medication throughout the day.

Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants that work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has been shown to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose drug and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.

Bupropion XL another antidepressant, has been proven to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that is effective in blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter, increasing its availability in brain.  evidence based treatment for adhd in adults  has been shown to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults, however it isn't as effective as stimulants in improving cognitive performance or concentration.