ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known disorder of the nervous system that affects 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression, anxiety, substance abuse) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. adhd treatment for adults near me prescribed drugs are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine.
Medicines
Many people with ADHD experience significant improvements in symptoms and performance due to medication. It is crucial that people suffering from ADHD find the combination of medications that works for them.
Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamines. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form, and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Adults may supplement an immediate-release medicine with an extended release, long-acting medicine once a week to reduce the need to take it often throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD are also treated effectively with antidepressants, like desipramine. This class of drugs can be used by itself or in conjunction with stimulants to enhance their effects. They can also increase the risk of serious adverse consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like alprazolam as well as clonidine are used for the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, possess the ability to calm and enhance focus and decrease the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among some adults. However, these medications could cause a very low blood pressure if they are abruptly cut off or reduced in dosage.
Adults with ADHD may also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them cope with their feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD as well as anger towards supervisors, coworkers teachers, family members and others who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. Additionally counseling for families and marriages can help couples with ADHD to understand each other's issues and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD aims to improve daily functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can also aid those with ADHD overcome low self-esteem and sense of failure that often accompanies this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives and to learn new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for many conditions including anxiety and depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with other treatments or alone.
CBT could involve group therapy, which can be especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD as it offers the opportunity to interact with other people with similar challenges and to learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or over the phone. One study compared the results of CBT in comparison to conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and discovered that both treatments resulted in improvement in self-report assessments of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments in adults with ADHD. All of these studies have shown significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes that range from moderate to large. These improvements were associated with various modalities that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving and mindfulness meditation.
It is essential to assess the effectiveness of various treatments for adult ADHD with caution. It is likely that differences in the results of treatment result from a variety of factors, including the treatment characteristics and measures employed. Few studies have examined the effectiveness neurofeedback. This method involves wearing a hat with electrodes while performing cognitive tasks to identify brain areas where there is excessive or insufficient activity. The individual then learns to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help to address these issues, which may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include the use of interpersonal therapy to improve the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to transform negative behaviors and assist in reducing self-destructive and impulsive behavior which can lead to issues at work or school.
In certain situations psychotherapy is sometimes used in conjunction with medications for adults adhd treatment. Patients with comorbid disorders like bipolar disorder and substance abuse need to be evaluated carefully to ensure that they do not have symptoms that cannot be ameliorated by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, should be treated with more vigor.
When ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with everyday functioning and quality of life, intensive outpatient programs may be suggested. These programs offer structured treatment that is more intense than traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD improve their ability to manage time, impulse control, planning, and executive function. It helps them understand and express emotions, and it uses activities and worksheets to make the lessons engaging. The training in mindfulness meditation improves CBT and improves the ability of a person to concentrate and regulate emotions. It increases the capacity of a person to manage anxiety and stress. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that may be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD experience difficulties at work and at home. In addition to impacting work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and may result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues will help you to improve your self-esteem and solve the underlying issues. It will also assist you in developing healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps you modify your negative beliefs and behaviors. It focuses on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions which contribute to negative moods, and the perception of a limited number of options.
adhd treatment for adults near me with ADHD also suffer from comorbid anxiety or depression. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or exacerbate the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and observe the response to treatment prior to beginning treatment for the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life by establishing predictable routines, manage your money and time and build a positive image of yourself. It can also help you learn techniques for relaxation that can reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other workouts can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing your body during various poses.
Marriage and family counseling can address the problems that people with ADHD frequently cause their spouses, children and other family members. They frequently complain of being unreliable and disorganized. They are also prone to forget things or make impulsive choices. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you develop more harmonious relationships. Moreover it can help you and your loved ones understand that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD instead of the lack of compassion or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a highly frequent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety and addiction disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychosocial interventions. A wide range of medications are available to adults suffering from ADHD and a few of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted both the strengths and the limitations of the medication.
Adults with ADHD have the same symptoms as children, however it isn't always easy to diagnose them because the symptoms of childhood may not persist until adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD might not have a history of the disorder in their family or they may not even remember having symptoms. A thorough medical history is important to determine if the symptoms are caused by a medical condition such as thyroid issues, sleep apnea, hearing and vision problems or lead poisoning.
Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. Stimulants are the most effective medications to treat adults suffering from ADHD and their responsiveness rates are in the 70 - 80 percent range. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal device. This permits continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.
Nonstimulant drugs for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants which work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been shown to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication and should be increased by 50 mg every seven days until the desired effect is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, was shown to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist that is effective in blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic cellular transporter and increasing its presence in the brain. The drug has been proven 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.