ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options<br /><br />ADHD is a well-known neurological disorder that affects around 4,4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of co-morbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, and alcohol abuse) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.<br /><br />Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are among the most frequently prescribed medications.<br /><br />Medicines<br /><br />Many adults suffering from ADHD experience significant improvements in symptoms and performance due to medications. It is important that people suffering from ADHD find the combination of medications that works for them.<br /><br />Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants, such as amphetamines or methylphenidate. They are available in liquid or tablet form in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hours. Adults can augment an immediate-release medication with an extended-release long-acting medicine at least every week to decrease the requirement to take it frequently throughout the day.<br /><br />Adults suffering from ADHD can be treated successfully with antidepressants like desipramine. This class of medications can be used by itself or in combination with stimulants to increase their effects. They may also increase the danger of serious side effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.<br /><br />Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as alprazolam as well as clonidine are used for the treatment of adults with ADHD. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, have the ability to calm and improve focus and decrease hyperactivity and impulsivity in certain adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure if they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is decreased.<br /><br />Adults with ADHD may also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them cope with feelings of shame and embarrassment over their ADHD, as well as anger towards supervisors, coworkers, teachers and family members who may nag or criticize them. Family and marriage counseling can be a great option to help couples with ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve communication.<br /><br />Behavioral Therapy<br /><br />The primary goal of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to help people learn strategies and skills that help improve functioning in daily life. Psychotherapy can also help people who suffer from ADHD overcome low self-esteem and feeling of failure that is often associated with this condition.<br /><br />Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals change the negative thoughts that cause difficulties in their lives and to learn new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating many disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other treatments.<br /><br />CBT may involve group therapy, which is particularly helpful for adults with ADHD, as it provides 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. One study examined the effects 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.<br /><br />CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments in adults with ADHD. <a href="https://botdb.win/wiki/Introduction_To_The_Intermediate_Guide_Towards_What_Happens_If_ADHD_Is_Left_Untreated_In_Adults">adhd treatment for adults online</a> of these studies demonstrate significant reductions in ADHD symptoms and effects, with sizes that range from moderate to large. These improvements were associated with diverse approaches such as cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training, and mindfulness meditation.<br /><br />It is important to compare the effectiveness of different treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. It is possible that the variations in the outcomes depend on a variety of factors, including treatment characteristics, measures used and the background of the patient. There are few studies that have investigated the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This technique involves wearing a hat with electrodes while doing cognitive tasks to identify brain areas where there is excessive or insufficient activity. The person then learns to control these patterns.<br /><br />Counseling<br /><br />Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can address these problems which may be causing ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy approaches that can aid in improving the ability of a person to resolve conflicts and develop lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage self-destructive, impulsive and negative behaviors that could cause problems at work or school.<br /><br /><br /><br />In certain cases, psychotherapy is utilized as an adjunct to the medication used for adhd in adults treatment. Patients with comorbid disorders such as substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder should be assessed to ensure that their symptoms aren't aggravated by the medications used to treat ADHD. Patients with certain medical conditions like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, must be treated more aggressively as they are at a higher risk of complications from medication.<br /><br />Intensive outpatient programs might be suggested if the individual's ADHD is so severe that it significantly affects their daily functioning and quality of life. These programs provide an organized treatment that is more intensive than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.<br /><br />Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD enhance their ability to manage their time and impulse control, as well as organizing, and executive function. It helps them identify and express their feelings and utilizes worksheets and activities to make the lessons more engaging. The practice of mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and improves the ability of a person to focus and manage emotions. It enhances the capacity of a person to tolerate the effects of stress and arousal. It can assist them in dealing with anger, sadness and other difficult emotions that could be causing their ADHD.<br /><br />Occupational Therapy<br /><br />Adults suffering from ADHD often have difficulties functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and can result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help increase self-esteem, address underlying problems and develop healthy coping mechanisms.<br /><br />Cognitive-behavioral Therapy is a great treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps you modify your negative beliefs and behaviors. It concentrates on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods, and the perception that there are only a few choices.<br /><br />Many adults with ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric disorders can reduce or exacerbate the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and monitor its response to medication prior to attempting treatment for the other condition.<br /><br />Occupational therapy can help you learn methods to organize your life and your work, set up predictable routines, manage time and money and build confidence in yourself. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that can reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. Similarly, yoga and other exercise can help you focus better by stabilizing your body in different postures.<br /><br />Counseling for families and marriage can help adults with ADHD to solve the problems they create for their children, spouses and other family members. They often complain about being unstable, unorganized, forgetful and often prone to making impulsive choices. Classes and therapy in which spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you establish healthier relationships. It can also help you and your family members understand that the problem is due to ADHD, rather than an inability to care or refusing to cooperate.<br /><br />Clinical Trials<br /><br />Adult ADHD is a highly prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders. The use of medication and psychosocial interventions is available as treatments. There are a range of medications available for adults with ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in studies. These studies have revealed the strengths and drawbacks of the various medications.<br /><br />Adults with ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children do, but it is difficult to identify because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD might not have any family background of the disorder or may not remember symptoms. A thorough medical history is necessary to help determine whether the symptoms are due to an illness such as a thyroid problem, sleep apnea, hearing and vision problems or lead poisoning.<br /><br />Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80 percent range. The most commonly used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate is also available in a transdermal system, which permits continuous medication delivery throughout the day.<br /><br />Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants which work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic and has been shown to be effective in adult patients with ADHD. It is a low dose medicine and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every seven days until the desired response is observed.<br /><br />Bupropion XL, another antidepressant, has been shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and works by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic transporter, thereby increasing its availability in the brain. This drug is known to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity however it's not as effective at improving concentration or cognitive function as stimulants.<br /><br />