ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options

ADHD is a prevalent neurological disorder that affects around 4,4% of the population. It is accompanied by high rates of co-morbidity (depression, anxiety, addiction to drugs) and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.

Psychotherapy and medications are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed medications.

Medicines

Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvements in symptoms and functioning as a result of medication. It is crucial that people with ADHD discover the right combination of medications that works for them.

Stimulants, including methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most commonly prescribed medications for adults with 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. Some adults may supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medicine used once per day to decrease the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day.

Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated effectively with antidepressants, such as desipramine. This class of medications can be used in conjunction with stimulants, or in isolation to boost their effects. However, they could increase the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects of untreated adhd in adults, such as rapid heartbeat, EKG changes, and orthostatic hypotension.

Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as alprazolam and clonidine are also utilized to treat adults with ADHD. These medications were initially created to treat hypertension. They are calming and can improve focus, and decrease hyperactivity and impulseivity in some adults. These medications can cause very low blood pressure when they suddenly stop, or the dosage is decreased.

Psychotherapy is also useful for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual talk therapy can help them cope with feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD as well as anger towards supervisors, coworkers teachers, and family members who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. In addition counseling for marriage and families can help couples with ADHD understand each other's problems and improve communication.

Behavioral Therapy

The primary goal of psychosocial therapy for adults ADHD is to teach skills and strategies that improve function in everyday life. Psychotherapy can also aid those with ADHD overcome low self-esteem and feeling of failure that is often associated with this condition.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists individuals in changing the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives. It also helps to develop new ways of thinking, feeling and acting. This short-term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating many illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. It can be utity of a person to form meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage self-destructive, impulsive and negative behavior that can cause difficulties at school or at work.

In some cases psychotherapy can be utilized as an adjunct to medication for adult adhd treatment for adults (Suggested Resource site). Patients with co-occurring disorders like depression, substance abuse and bipolar disorder should be assessed to ensure that their symptoms aren't made worse through the use of medications to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, ADHD Treatment For Adults like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, must be treated more aggressively.

If ADHD is sufficient to cause problems with everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs could be recommended. These programs provide structured therapy that is more intense than traditional outpatient psychotherapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists adults suffering from ADHD improve their abilities to manage time, impulse control, planning, and executive function. It helps them understand and express their feelings. It employs worksheets and exercises to make the learning more enjoyable. Mindfulness meditation training improves CBT and improves the ability of a person to concentrate and manage their emotions. It increases the capacity of a person's ability to handle stress and arousal. It can help them cope with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that may be contributing towards their ADHD.

Occupational Therapy

Adults suffering from ADHD often have difficulties functioning at home and at work. In addition to impacting 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 the root of your issue and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for inattentive adhd in adults for adults with ADHD because it teaches you how to modify your negative beliefs and behavior. In particular, it concentrates on teaching you to utilize time management strategies and overcome the distortions in your thinking that cause negative moods and the perception of limited choices.

Many people with ADHD have anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric conditions can decrease or exacerbate the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. It is recommended that you first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then observe its response to the medication before treating the other condition.

Occupational therapy can help you organize your work and life and establish routines that are predictable to manage your money and time, and develop a positive image of yourself. It can also help you master relaxation techniques that may decrease your impulsivity and hyperactivity. In the same way, yoga and other exercise can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing your body in different postures.

Marriage and family counseling can help address the issues that adults suffering from ADHD often cause their children, spouses, and other family members. They frequently complain of being insecure, unorganized, and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. You can strengthen your relationships by educating your spouses and family members about ADHD. It can also help you and your family members understand that the issues are due to ADHD instead of the lack of care or an unwillingness to cooperate.

Clinical Trials

Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that is highly common. It is often associated with comorbid conditions such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatments. A wide range of medications are available to adults suffering from ADHD, and some of these have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted both the advantages and drawbacks of the drugs.

Adults with ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, however it can be difficult to recognize them since childhood symptoms might not last throughout adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder in their family or they may not remember having symptoms. It is important to have an extensive medical history in order to determine if the symptoms are related to an illness such as thyroid problems or sleep apnea, and vision problems.

Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants are the most effective drugs for adults suffering from ADHD and their response rates are in the 70%-80% range. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also administered via a transdermal system. This allows for continuous medication delivery throughout the day.

Nonstimulant medications for adults with ADHD are primarily tricyclic antidepressants that target norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine, the most studied tricyclic, has been proven 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.

Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that works by blocking norepinephrine reuptake in the presynaptic cellular transporter and increasing its presence in the brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults. However, it isn't as effective as stimulants in improving cognitive performance or concentration.