ADHD in doctors that treat adhd in adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse) and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments.
Both medication and psychotherapy are effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed drugs.
Medicines
Many people who suffer from ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning when they take medication. It is important that people who suffer from ADHD discover the right combination of medications that works for them.
Stimulants, like amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form, and can be taken as often as every three to four hours. Adults can augment an immediate-release medicine with an extended-release, long-acting medicine once a week to reduce the requirement to take it regularly throughout the day.
Antidepressants like desipramine have also been found to be effective in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of drugs may be employed in conjunction with stimulants, or alone to enhance their effects. However, they can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects like rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as alprazolam and clonidine can also be used for the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They have a calming affect and can improve focus, and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in certain adults. These medications can result in very low blood pressure when they are suddenly stopped, or the dosage is decreased.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual talk therapy helps people deal with feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment toward coworkers, supervisors, teachers, and family members that may criticize or nag them. Marriage and family counseling is also a great way to help couples suffering from ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
The primary goal of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to help people learn strategies and skills that help improve function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can also assist people with ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and feelings of failure that often accompanies this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives. It also helps to learn new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used by itself or in conjunction with other therapies.
CBT may include group therapy, which is especially beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD, as it provides the chance to connect with others with similar challenges and to learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be provided in person or via phone. In one study, CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults who have ADHD. Both treatments improved self-report measures such as symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. All of these studies have shown significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes ranging from medium to large. These improvements were associated with various modalities that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is advised in comparing the effectiveness of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is possible that the differences in the outcomes are due to a range of factors, including treatment characteristics and measures employed. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback. This method involves wearing an electrode-lined hat while doing cognitive tasks to determine brain regions where there is excessive or inadequate activity. The person then learns to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help to address these problems, which may be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is among the psychotherapy methods which can improve a person’s ability to resolve conflicts and build meaningful relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage self-destructive, impulsive and negative behaviors that could cause problems at work or school.
In certain cases, psychotherapy is used as an adjunct to medication for adult ADHD treatment for adults. People with comorbid conditions like bipolar disorder, and addiction to drugs should be evaluated with care to ensure that they do not suffer from symptoms that aren't improved by the medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history or seizures, need to be treated with more vigor.
If ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs could be suggested. These programs provide more intensive and organized treatment than traditional outpatient therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD improve their ability to manage time management, impulse control, organizing, and executive function. It helps them recognize and express their emotions, and it uses exercises and worksheets to make the lessons engaging. The practice of mindfulness meditation enhances CBT and improves the ability of a person's ability to concentrate and regulate emotions. It enhances the capacity of a person to tolerate anxiety and stress. It can help them deal with anger, sadness and other difficult emotions which could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults suffering from ADHD often report difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting work performance, these symptoms 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 strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults with ADHD and teaches them how to change their negative thoughts and behaviours. Particularly, it is focused on teaching you how to utilize time management strategies and overcome thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and perceptions of limited choices.
Many people with ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or increase the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. It is therefore recommended to first treat the most severe comorbidity and then observe its response to the medication before treating the other disorder.
Occupational therapy can teach you methods to organize your life and work, establish predictable routines, manage money and time and develop an optimistic self-image. It will also help you learn relaxation techniques that could decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can also aid in improving your concentration by ensuring your body is stable in various postures.
Counseling for families and marriage can address the problems that adults suffering from ADHD often create for their spouses, children and others. They frequently complain of being insecure, unorganized, and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are educated on ADHD can help you build healthier relationships. Moreover it can help you and your loved ones understand that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD rather than an absence of care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder. It is often accompanied by other disorders that are comorbid, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. The use of medication and psychosocial interventions is available as treatments. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD. Some of these medications have been evaluated in studies. These studies have highlighted both the strengths and the limitations of the drugs.
Adults suffering from ADHD experience the same symptoms as children, however it isn't always easy to diagnose them because childhood symptoms may not persist until adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder in their family or may not be aware of experiencing symptoms. It is crucial to take a thorough medical history to determine whether the symptoms are related to a medical condition, such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea or hearing and vision problems.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants have the highest reaction rates for adults with ADHD. Their responsiveness rates vary between 70 and 80percent. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate may also be administered via a transdermal system. This permits continuous medication delivery throughout the daytime.
Adults suffering from ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that are based on norepinephrine, or dopamine. Desipramine is the most studied tricyclic and has been shown to be effective in adult patients with ADHD. It is a low dose medication which should be increased each seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is noticed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant which has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter, increasing its availability in brain. This drug has been found to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults. However, it is not as effective as stimulants when it comes to improving concentration or cognitive function.