Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders<br /><br />Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid conditions, such as major depression (Kessler and colleagues 2006). Many patients who are depressed do not respond well to medications and may benefit from therapy.<br /><br />Medications that most effectively improve the most fundamental symptoms of ADHD are those that boost and balance levels of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Drugs that stimulate the brain such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are often prescribed.<br /><br />Medicines<br /><br />Many medications that are used to treat ADHD in children can also be used on adults. However the dosages are different and the medications can cause negative side effects that aren't common in children. A doctor will take into consideration the individual's medical history, family history, and other health issues to determine which medicine is best for them.<br /><br />The most common ADHD medication is a stimulant. It works by altering the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Stimulants like methylphenidate and dextro-amphetamine (commonly known as Adderall) increase the amount of these neurotransmitters, which can improve focus and decrease aggression and impulsivity. <a href="https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/adhd-treatment-for-adults/">www.iampsychiatry.uk</a> come in various forms such as chewable tablets, liquids and skin patches. These stimulants that last longer are popular because they improve patient compliance, and a smoother, longer-lasting improvement in symptoms.<br /><br /><br /><br />It is important to keep in mind that co-existing conditions like anxiety and depression may affect the response to ADHD medication. Therefore, it is recommended that psychiatric disorders be treated first before medication used as secondary measure. The medications that can be used to treat comorbid psychiatric disorders include atomoxetine and bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).<br /><br />Certain patients may experience some patients may experience a "rebound" effect, where they experience a worsening of ADHD symptoms after discontinuing stimulant medication. In these instances, a brief trial of a lower dose of stimulant medication can be beneficial.<br /><br />Some people are unable tolerate stimulant medication or cannot take it because of the misuse of drugs or other health conditions like heart or hypertension problems that are severe. In these instances, non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These drugs don't have the same adverse effects as stimulants, and are less likely to be misused or misused.<br /><br />Psychotherapy<br /><br />Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can be helpful for those with ADHD. It can help those with ADHD to improve their lives, deal with stress and anxiety, manage conflicts, or deal with problems at work or in relationships. It can also aid with co-occurring mental illnesses such as depression and addiction disorders.<br /><br />Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and mind-body cognitive therapy, as well as schema therapy. These therapies are based upon the notion that beliefs and thoughts can influence how someone feels, thinks and acts. CBT helps a person recognize negative behaviors and thinking patterns, and then develops and implements positive strategies to alter these patterns. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy uses techniques for meditation to teach people how to concentrate on their thoughts and emotions, control impulses and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy and other types of psychotherapy focused on a person's family history could be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD who suffer from significant secondary issues.<br /><br />In addition to medicines psychotherapy can assist in addressing the particular issues caused by ADHD, such as trouble keeping up with schoolwork, resolving conflicts, being able to get together with others, losing important dates or obligations and making impulsive choices that result in financial or legal troubles. It can assist a person overcome the root issues like depression and anxiety that may be contributing to their ADHD symptoms.<br /><br />Psychotherapy can help people find healthy coping techniques and reduce stress. For instance exercise, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also offer support to a family or partner member who may be dealing with the effects of ADHD on their relationship. Marriage and family therapy helps couples and families learn how to communicate better and manage ADHD symptoms together.<br /><br />Cognitive Behavioral Therapy<br /><br />CBT is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on helping clients change their negative thinking patterns. It employs dialogue based on skill with an experienced mental health professional (a therapist) to address the root causes of their symptoms. The goal of this treatment is to correct limitations and implement strategies for coping that align with the person's everyday life.<br /><br />Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT instruct clients to recognize unhelpful thought patterns and help them build the skills to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can take time. However, it's a good option for those who are not getting adequate relief from medications.<br /><br />In the course of a recent RCT study, it was concluded that cognitive behavior therapy in combination with medication is superior over cognitive behavior therapy by itself in terms of improving the core symptoms, emotional symptom, self-esteem and social functioning in adults suffering from ADHD (Clarke and colleagues. 2017). The combination of CBT and methylphenidate is especially effective for those who have more severe underlying issues.<br /><br />Therapists who offer this kind of treatment work with their clients to develop an action plan to address their specific problems. They teach them a set of practical skills which are easy to learn and have a good chance of success. Charts are often used to track progress and to reward positive behavior. In the case of a child, this might include a daily report that lists all the school tasks or positive behaviors they need to accomplish and a method of recording and earning rewards. Therapists may also discuss the possibility that negative consequences may be imposed if a child isn't able to finish their work. This can be done in a sensitive and supportive way.<br /><br />Metacognitive Therapy<br /><br />Metacognitive therapy is an innovative kind of psychotherapy that helps people to change their thinking. This type of treatment is effective for those suffering from a range of mental health problems, including depression. It's a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that assists people recognize their negative thinking patterns and how they affect their moods. This kind of therapy helps individuals develop psychological tools that are flexible and useful.<br /><br />This study was designed to investigate the relationship between metacognitive skills and daily functioning among adults with ADHD. In order to do this we compared self and informant-rated daily functioning impairments with the predictors of metacognition (comprehensive Knowledge, Regulation of Cognition, Debugging Information Management, and Evaluation). The results showed that complete knowledge was associated with daily functioning among adults with ADHD, but not regulatory processes. Metacognition predictors had moderate predictive power which indicates that they can be the cause of significant variation in the daily functioning of adults suffering from ADHD.<br /><br />Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on modifying metacognitive beliefs that cause states of anxiety and rumination, as well as attention fixation. MCT was developed by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model created by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been proven to be effective in treating illness anxiety disorder. However, it is still an in-development treatment and further research is required to determine if it could aid in other disorders.<br /><br />The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of MCT in the reduction of symptoms of illness anxiety disorder, however it can be applied to a variety of disorders and may even be more effective than other therapies. This is not an effective treatment, but it can be used to treat ADHD.<br /><br />Family Therapy<br /><br />In family therapy, the therapy therapist works with the entire family. This allows everyone to be aware of the issues facing the client and learn how to support their loved ones better. It also helps them deal with their frustrations and build better communication skills. Additionally, this type of therapy is helpful in addressing comorbid conditions such as depression and substance misuse which are often associated with ADHD.<br /><br />The therapist will start with an intake session to gain a better understanding of the family's perception and determine whether they are appropriate for family intervention. This can be done in person or online. The Therapist will explain to each person the nature of treatment as well as the do's &amp; don'ts for family therapy.<br /><br />A therapist with experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD will ask a variety of questions in order to gain insight into the client's current symptoms, their history and their impact on their work and family life as well as relationships. They will also inquire whether there are other mental health issues present, such as depression or anxiety.<br /><br />Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a structured form of counseling which teaches you to change your negative patterns of thinking and to manage your behavior. It is focused on improving self-esteem and self-control through teaching methods to deal with anxiety and stress. This is a short-term solution that can be utilized in conjunction with other types psychotherapy.<br /><br />Individual talk therapy can help people suffering from ADHD overcome emotional burdens resulting from long-standing patterns of underachievement, failure, academic difficulties, frequent job changes and conflicts in relationships. It can help you develop coping and stress reduction techniques and teach you how to manage your time and money more effectively. It can also be used to address the comorbidities, like anxiety and mood disorders which are often seen alongside ADHD.<br /><br />