ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options<br /><br />ADHD is a well-known condition of the nervous system that affects 4,4 percent of the population. It is associated by high rates of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, as well as significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.<br /><br />Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are among the most frequently prescribed drugs.<br /><br />Medicines<br /><br /><br /><br />Many adults suffering from ADHD have significant improvements in their symptoms and functioning due to medication. It is crucial that people suffering from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that is effective for them.<br /><br />Adults with ADHD are prescribed stimulants like 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. Some adults can supplement their immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medicine used once per day to reduce the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.<br /><br />Antidepressants such as desipramine have also been found to be effective in treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of medications can be used in conjunction with stimulants, or on their own to boost their effects. They may also increase the danger of serious side effects, such as rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.<br /><br />Adults with ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 antagonists of the adrenergic system. These medications were originally developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and can improve focus, and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in certain adults. These medications can result in extremely low blood pressure if they suddenly stop, or the dosage is reduced.<br /><br />Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy helps those with ADHD deal with feelings of embarrassment, shame, and resentment against coworkers, supervisors, teachers, and family members that might nitpick or criticize them. In addition, marriage and family counseling can help couples suffering from ADHD understand each other's problems and improve communication.<br /><br />Behavioral Therapy<br /><br />A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to help people learn skills and strategies that improve performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help people who suffer from ADHD overcome their low self-esteem, and the sense of failure they often feel.<br /><br />Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives. It also helps to learn new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term, goal-oriented kind of psychotherapy has proven to be effective for a variety of illnesses such as anxiety and depression. It can be utilized in conjunction with other treatments or on its own.<br /><br />CBT could involve group therapy, which is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD as it offers the opportunity to interact with other people who are facing similar issues and discover how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or over the phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults with ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting measures like symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.<br /><br />A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults with ADHD and have all shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect size. These improvements were linked to a variety modalities including interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy and social skills training. problem solving training, as well as mindfulness meditation.<br /><br />However, <a href="https://www.iampsychiatry.com/adult-adhd-treatment">view it now</a> is advised in comparing the efficacy of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is likely that the differences in outcomes results are due to a variety of factors, including treatment features and the methods used. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of 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 person is then taught to regulate these patterns.<br /><br />Counseling<br /><br />Many people suffering from ADHD have mood or anxiety disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these problems, which may be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy methods that can aid in improving the ability of a person to resolve conflicts and build meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage self-destructive, impulsive, and negative behavior that can create problems at school or work.<br /><br />In some cases psychotherapy may be used as an alternative to medication for adult adhd treatment for adults. Patients with comorbid disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs should be evaluated with care to make sure they don't have symptoms that are not improved by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. People who suffer from certain medical issues, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and an history of seizures must be treated with more vigor because they are at a higher risk of complications from medications.<br /><br />When ADHD is serious enough to affect everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs might be recommended. These programs offer an organized treatment that is more intense than traditional outpatient psychotherapy.<br /><br />Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD enhance their ability to manage time management and impulse control, executive function, and planning. It helps them recognize and express emotions and utilizes exercises and worksheets to make the lessons engaging. The practice of mindfulness meditation enhances CBT and improves the ability of a person to focus and regulate emotions. It enhances the capacity of a person's ability to handle stress and arousal. It can help them cope with sadness, anger and other emotions which could be contributing to their ADHD.<br /><br />Occupational Therapy<br /><br />Adults with ADHD often have difficulties functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting their work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and can cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help boost your self-esteem, solve the root causes of your issues and establish healthy coping mechanisms.<br /><br />Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults with ADHD because it teaches you how to modify your negative beliefs and behaviors. It concentrates on teaching techniques for managing time and overcoming thinking distortions which can cause negative moods, and the perception of limited possibilities.<br /><br />Many adults with ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders as comorbid conditions. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or even increase the effectiveness of some medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and observe the effect of medication before proceeding to treatment of the other condition.<br /><br />Occupational therapy can help you manage your life and work by establishing predictable routines that help you manage your money and time and create confidence in yourself. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that may reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other exercises can also aid in improving your concentration by ensuring your body is stable in different poses.<br /><br />Family and marriage counseling can assist adults suffering from ADHD to solve the problems they cause their spouses, kids and others. They frequently complain that they are insecure, unorganized, and prone to making impulsive decisions. You can strengthen your relationships by teaching your spouses and other family members about ADHD. It can help you and your family members realize that the problems are caused by ADHD instead of an inability to care or a refusal to cooperate.<br /><br />Clinical Trials<br /><br />Adult ADHD is a prevalent neurobiological disorder. It is often accompanied by other disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medication interventions. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD and some of them have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have exposed the strengths and the limitations of the medications.<br /><br />Adults suffering from ADHD might experience the same symptoms that children do, but it can be difficult to identify because the symptoms of childhood may not persist in adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder in their family or may not be aware of experiencing symptoms. A thorough medical history is important to help determine whether the symptoms are caused by an illness like thyroid problems or sleep apnea. It could also be due to issues with vision and hearing or lead poisoning.<br /><br />Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. The stimulants have the highest response rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness vary from 70 to 70% to 80%. The most frequently used stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal system. This allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.<br /><br />Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants which work on dopamine and norepinephrine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has 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 seven days until the desired effect is observed.<br /><br />Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant that has been proven to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist and blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine in the presynaptic transportation system, thus increasing its availability in the brain. This drug has been proven to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity however, it's not as effective in improving concentration or cognitive function as stimulants.<br /><br />