5 Laws That Anyone Working In ADHD In Adults Treatment Should Be Aware Of
ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurological disorder that affects 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of co-morbidity (depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Both psychotherapy and medication are 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 improvement in their symptoms and functioning when they take medication. Due to the various ways people respond to medications it is crucial for people with ADHD to find a combination that is most effective.
Stimulants, including methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most frequently prescribed medications for adults with ADHD. These stimulants are available as liquid or tablet form in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Some adults supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or longer-acting drug used once per day to lessen the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can be treated successfully with antidepressants such as desipramine. This class of drugs can be used alone or in combination with stimulants to enhance their effects. However, they can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects such as an increased heart rate, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam and clonidine are also used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They have a calming affect and may improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in certain adults. However, these medications can cause a very low blood pressure when they are abruptly cut off or reduced in dosage.
Adults with ADHD may also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help those with ADHD to overcome feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment toward coworkers, teachers, supervisors and family members who may criticize or nag them. Additionally, marriage and family counseling can help couples suffering from ADHD understand each other's problems and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to impart strategies and techniques that enhance function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and feeling of failure that often accompanies this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive behavioral therapy helps people change their negative thoughts and emotions that cause problems in their life. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and behave. This short-term and goal-oriented therapy has been proven to be effective in treating many illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT could include group therapy, which is especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD because it gives the opportunity to interact with other people who are facing similar issues and learn from others how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to standard therapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report measures such as symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared to other psychosocial treatments in adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies have shown significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes between medium and large. These improvements were associated with diverse approaches that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is required in comparing the effectiveness of different treatments for adults with ADHD. It is possible that the different outcomes of the treatments depend on a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics, measures used as well as the backgrounds of the patients. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This method involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while performing cognitive tasks to determine brain regions where there is excessive or insufficient activity. The person then learns to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy techniques that can help improve the ability of a person to manage conflicts and create meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to transform negative behaviors and assist in managing self-destructive and impulsive behaviors that can cause problems at work or school.
In certain cases, psychotherapy can be used in combination with medication for adults with adhd treatment. People with comorbid conditions like bipolar disorder and substance abuse need to be evaluated carefully to ensure that they do not have symptoms that are not improved by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history or seizures, must be treated with more vigor.
If ADHD is serious enough to affect everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs might be recommended. These programs offer structured therapy that is more intense than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of cognitive therapy, helps adults suffering from ADHD to improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning and executive functioning. It helps them recognize and express emotions, and it uses activities and worksheets to make the lessons interesting. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT, and it improves the ability of people to concentrate and control their emotions. It improves the ability of a person to tolerate the effects of stress and arousal. It can help them cope with anger, sadness, and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD have issues functioning at work and at home. These symptoms can also affect relationships and lead to financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you build confidence in yourself and resolve underlying problems. It will also assist you in developing healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral Therapy is a great treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches you how to change your negative beliefs and behavior. In particular, it focuses on teaching you to utilize time management strategies and overcome thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and a perception of limited choices.
Many people with ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or even increase the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbidity first and observe the effect of medication before proceeding to treatment of the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can help you learn methods to organize your life and your work, establish routines that are predictable, manage money and time and develop an optimistic self-image. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that may decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other workouts can aid in improving your focus by ensuring your body is stable in different poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can address the problems that people with ADHD frequently cause their children, spouses, and others. They often complain about being insecure, unorganized, and prone to making impulsive decisions. Classes and therapy in which spouses and other family members are educated on ADHD can help you develop healthier relationships. Additionally, it can help you and your loved ones understand that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD rather than to a lack of caring or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is an neurobiological disorder that is highly common. It is often accompanied by other disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatment options. A wide range of medications are available to adults suffering from ADHD and some of them have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted both the strengths and the limitations of the medications.
Adults with ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, but it can be difficult to diagnose them because childhood symptoms might not last until adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD may also not have any family history of the disorder, or may not be aware of symptoms. It is crucial to take a thorough medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are caused by an illness such as thyroid problems or sleep apnea, and vision problems.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants have the highest response rates for adults suffering from ADHD. doctors who treat adhd in adults near me of responsiveness vary between 70 and 70% to 80%. The most commonly used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate can also be administered via a transdermal device. This allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.
Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants that work on dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine is one of the most studied tricyclic, and has been proven to be effective for adults suffering from ADHD. It is a low-dose medication that is recommended to be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL another antidepressant, was shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transportationer and increasing its presence in the brain. This drug has been proven to boost mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity but it's not as effective at improving cognitive function or concentration as stimulants.