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ADHD in Adults – Treatment Options ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the general population. It is accompanied by high rates of comorbidity, including anxiety, depression and substance abuse and significant social, emotional and occupational impairments. Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are among the most frequently prescribed drugs. Medicines Many people with ADHD notice significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning in response to medication. Because of the different ways people respond to medications it is important for individuals with ADHD to determine a mix that is most effective. Adults suffering from ADHD are prescribed stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form and can be taken as frequently as every three to four hours. Adults may supplement an immediate-release medicine with an extended-release long-acting medicine at least every week to lessen the requirement to take it frequently throughout the day. Antidepressants such as desipramine have also been found to be effective in treatment of adults with ADHD. This class of drugs may be utilized in conjunction with stimulants or in isolation to boost their effects. They can also increase the danger of serious side effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension. Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam or clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications, originally designed to treat high blood pressure, have an calming effect and are able to increase focus and reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity in certain adults. However, these medications can cause a very low blood pressure if they are suddenly removed or reduced in dosage. Adults suffering from ADHD are also able to benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them deal with their feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding their ADHD and resentment toward co-workers, supervisors, teachers and family members who might be a source of criticism or nagging them. Marriage and family counseling can be a great option to help couples with ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve their communication. Behavioral Therapy One of the main goals of psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is to teach strategies and skills that help improve performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can help those with ADHD overcome their self-esteem issues and the feeling of inadequacy they feel frequently. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy assists people in changing their negative thoughts and emotions that cause problems in their life. It teaches them new ways to think, feel and act. This short-term and goal-oriented psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating various disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments or by itself. CBT may also include group therapy. This is especially beneficial for people with ADHD because it allows them to connect with other people who are facing similar issues and learn how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or over the phone. One study compared the effects of CBT with that of conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD and found that both treatments produced improvement in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life. CBT has been compared to other psychosocial treatments in adults with ADHD. All of these studies have shown significant reductions in ADHD symptoms, with effect sizes between medium and large. These improvements were attributed to diverse modalities like cognitive and interpersonal therapy, social skills training, problem-solving training, and mindfulness mediation. It is essential to assess the effectiveness of different treatments for adult ADHD with caution. It is likely that the variations in the outcomes depend on a variety of factors such as the characteristics of the treatment, the measures used, and patient backgrounds. A few studies have looked into the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a method that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to identify areas in the brain that there is too much or too little activity. Then, instructing the individual to control these patterns. Counseling Many people suffering from ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help with these issues that could be contributing to ADHD symptoms. Some psychotherapy approaches include interpersonal therapy to enhance the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behavior that can create difficulties at school or at work. In some cases, psychotherapy is used as an alternative to the medication used for adhd in adults treatment. Patients with comorbid disorders such as substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder should be assessed to ensure that their symptoms aren't made worse by the medications used to treat ADHD. People with certain medical issues, including thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, must be treated more aggressively as they are more at risk of complications from medication. In-depth outpatient programs could be recommended when the person's ADHD is so severe that it interferes with their daily functioning and quality of life. adhd symptoms and treatment in adults iampsychiatry.com provide more intense and structured treatment than traditional outpatient therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of cognitive therapy, aids people with ADHD to improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as planning and executive functioning. It helps them understand and express emotions and utilizes worksheets and activities to make the learning interesting. The training in mindfulness meditation can enhance CBT and improves the ability of a person to concentrate and regulate emotions. It also improves a person's capacity to manage stress and arousal. It can help them deal with anger, sadness and other difficult emotions that could be causing their ADHD. Occupational Therapy Adults with ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. In addition to affecting work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and may result in financial issues. Therapy that addresses these issues can help increase self-esteem, address the root causes of your issues and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adults with ADHD because it helps them change their negative thoughts and behavior. Particularly, it concentrates on teaching you to employ time management strategies and overcome thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods and a perception of a limited range of choices. Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or exacerbate the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. Therefore it is recommended that you treat the most severe comorbid disorder first and observe its response to medication before proceeding to treatment of the other condition. Occupational therapy can help you learn methods to organize your life and work, create regular routines, manage your money and time and develop an optimistic self-image. It will also help you learn relaxation techniques that could reduce your impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other workouts can help you focus by stabilizing your body during different poses. Family and marriage counseling can address the issues people with ADHD frequently cause their spouses, children and other family members. They often complain about being unstable, unorganized, forgetful and susceptible to making decisions based on impulsivity. Therapy and classes where spouses and other family members are educated about ADHD can help you develop better relationships. Moreover it can help you and your loved ones realize that these issues are linked to the patient's ADHD rather than to a lack of caring or a willful refusal to cooperate. Clinical Trials Adult ADHD is a highly frequent neurobiological disorder. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity. This includes depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatments. There are a variety of medications available for adults with ADHD. Certain of these medications have been tested in trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and the limitations of the medications. Adults who suffer from ADHD suffer from the same issues as children, however it can be difficult to diagnose them because childhood symptoms may not persist throughout adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder in their families or they may not even remember having symptoms. A thorough medical history is necessary to help determine whether the symptoms are caused by a medical condition such as thyroid issues or sleep apnea. It could also be due to issues with vision and hearing or lead poisoning. Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. The stimulants have the highest response rates for people suffering from ADHD. Their response rates range from 70 to 80%. The most popular stimulants are methylphenidate and amphetamine compounds. Methylphenidate may also be administered via a transdermal device. This permits continuous medication delivery during the daytime. Nonstimulant medicines for adults suffering from ADHD are mostly tricyclic antidepressants which work on norepinephrine and dopamine. Desipramine is the most researched tricyclic drug and has been proven to be effective in adult patients with ADHD. It is a medication with a low dose that is recommended to be increased every seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is observed. Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant, was shown to work in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine receptor agonist and is able to block the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transportation system, thus increasing its use in the brain. The drug has been proven to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults. However, it is not as effective as stimulants in improving concentration or cognitive function.