Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders<br /><br />Many adults with ADHD also have comorbid disorders, such as major depression (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many sufferers do not respond to medications for depression and may be able to benefit from psychotherapy.<br /><br />Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and increase levels of certain brain chemicals. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are commonly prescribed.<br /><br />Medicines<br /><br />Many medications that are used to treat ADHD in children can also be used in adults. However the dosages are different and the medications can cause negative side effects that aren't typical of children. The doctor will examine the medical history, the family health history, and other medical factors of the individual to determine which medicine is best.<br /><br />The most common ADHD medication is a stimulant. It works by altering the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. The stimulants like methylphenidate (also known as Adderall) and dextroamphetamine enhance the supply of neurotransmitters that help improve concentration, decrease impulsivity, and decrease aggression. These stimulants are available in a variety of forms, including skin patches, liquids, and chewable tablets. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferred because they provide better patient compliance and longer lasting and smoother improvement of symptoms.<br /><br />It is important to keep in mind that comorbid disorders such as anxiety or depression may affect the response to ADHD medication. Therefore it is recommended that psychiatric issues be treated first, and then medication utilized as a secondary measure. The medications that are used to treat comorbid psychiatric disorders include bupropion, atomoxetine and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).).<br /><br />Some patients may exhibit an "rebound" effect, where they experience a worsening of ADHD symptoms after stopping stimulant medications. In these cases, a short-term trial of a low-dose stimulant medication may be beneficial.<br /><br />Certain people are not able to tolerate stimulant medication or cannot use it due to drug misuse or other health conditions like heart or hypertension problems that are severe. In these cases, non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine and viloxazine can be effective. These medications do not cause the same level of side effects as stimulants and carry a lower risks of abuse and diversion.<br /><br />Psychotherapy<br /><br />People suffering from ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help people with ADHD learn how to improve their lives, deal with stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, or cope with issues in their relationships or at work. It can also aid those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing like depression and addiction disorders.<br /><br />Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and mind-body cognitive therapy, and schema therapy. These therapies are based on idea that a person's beliefs and thoughts influence how they think, feel and behave. CBT assists a person to identify negative behaviors and thinking patterns, and then formulates and implements positive strategies to change them. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy uses meditation techniques to teach a person how to concentrate on their thoughts and emotions, control impulses, and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy, as well as other forms of psychotherapy focusing on a person's history with their family may be useful for people with ADHD who have significant secondary problems.<br /><br />In addition to medicines, psychotherapy can help address the specific issues that arise from ADHD, such as trouble staying on track with schoolwork, resolving conflict and being able to get along with others, forgetting important dates or obligations as well as impulsive decisions that result in legal or financial issues. It can help a person overcome underlying issues such as depression and anxiety that may be contributing to their ADHD symptoms.<br /><br />Psychotherapy can assist a person to develop healthy coping methods and reduce stress, for example exercising, improving sleep and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to a spouse or family member who may be dealing with the effects of ADHD on their relationship. Therapy for families and marriage can assist families and couples communicate better and understand how to manage ADHD symptoms together.<br /><br /><br /><br />Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)<br /><br />CBT is a type of psychotherapy that is focused on transforming the client's negative thinking patterns. <a href="https://notes.io/w9LYG">Full Post</a> uses skill-based dialogue with an experienced mental health professional (a therapist) to address the underlying causes of their symptoms. The goal of this treatment is to correct the limitations and implement coping strategies that are compatible with the person's everyday life.<br /><br />Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT teach clients how to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and assist them to learn to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can take a while. It's a possibility for adults who do not get enough relief from their medication.<br /><br />A recent RCT study concluded that when paired with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy on its own in improving the core symptoms, emotional symptoms, self-esteem and social functioning of adults with ADHD (Clarke and co. 2017). CBT combined with methylphenidate can be particularly effective for those who have more severe underlying issues.<br /><br />Therapists who provide this kind of treatment work with their clients to develop an action plan to address the specific issues they face. They usually teach them a series of practical skills that are easy to implement and have a good chance of being successful. Often a chart system is used to track the progress of a child and reward positive behavior. This could include the daily report of children that details the tasks they must complete in school or the positive behaviors that need to be demonstrated, and an approach to tracking and earning rewards. Therapists can consider the introduction of negative consequences if the child fails to finish their tasks. This can be done with care and support.<br /><br />Metacognitive Therapy<br /><br />Metacognitive therapy is an innovative type of psychotherapy that assists people to change their thinking. This kind of therapy can be effective for people with a variety of mental health issues such as depression. It's a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps people to identify their negative thought patterns and how they impact their moods. This type of therapy can assist them in acquiring psychological tools that are able and effective.<br /><br />The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between metacognitive abilities and daily functioning among adults suffering from ADHD. To accomplish 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). It was discovered that the comprehensive knowledge of people was linked to daily functioning in adults with ADHD however, the regulatory processes were not. The predictors of metacognition had moderate predictive power which indicates that they can be the cause of significant variance in daily functioning of adults with ADHD.<br /><br /><a href="https://adams-jones.hubstack.net/guide-to-adult-adhd-treatments-the-intermediate-guide-towards-adult-adhd-treatments">add and treatment</a> (MCT) is a psychotherapy that focuses on modifying dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs that perpetuate states of worry and rumination, as well as attention fixation. MCT was developed by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been shown to be effective in treating illness anxiety disorder. However, it's still an in-development treatment, and further research is required to determine whether it can help with other disorders.<br /><br />This study was conceived to evaluate the efficacy of MCT to treat symptoms of illness anxiety disorder. However it is also able to treat a variety of disorders and could be more effective than other treatment. It is not an effective treatment, but it can be utilized to treat ADHD.<br /><br />Family Therapy<br /><br />In family therapy, the Therapist works with the entire family. All members can better understand the client's needs and learn how to help their loved family members. It also helps them cope with their frustrations and develop more effective communication skills. This type of counseling can also be used to address comorbid conditions, such as addiction and depression, which are often seen as a result of ADHD.<br /><br />The therapist will begin with an intake session to gain an understanding of the family's perspective of the issue and determine their ability to intervene with the family. It can be done in person or online. The therapist will discuss the nature of the therapy with each individual and set out the rules and guidelines of family therapy.<br /><br />A therapist with experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD will ask a lot of questions in order to gain understanding of the client's present symptoms, their history and their impact on their work life, family life and relationships. They will also ask whether any other mental health issues are present, like anxiety or depression.<br /><br />Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of counseling that helps you learn how to manage your behavior and transform negative patterns of thinking into positive ones. It focuses on improving self-esteem and self control by educating you on how to handle stress and anger. This is a temporary option that can be used alongside other types of psychotherapy.<br /><br />Individual therapy can help those with ADHD overcome emotional trauma from a long-running pattern of underachievement, failure academic issues frequent job changes, and conflict in relationships. It can help you develop coping and stress reduction techniques and help you manage your time and money more effectively. It can also address problems that are comorbid, such as anxiety and mood disorders that are commonly associated as a result of ADHD.<br /><br />