Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people suffering from ADHD have comorbid conditions like major depression (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). adhd treatment adults who suffer from depression are not able to respond well to medication and may benefit from therapy.
Treatments that are most effective in reducing the symptoms of ADHD seem to boost and balance levels of specific brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate, amphetamine and other similar drugs.
Medicines
A variety of medications used to treat ADHD in children can also be used in adults. The dosages and effects are different. The doctor will take a look at the medical history, family health history and other conditions of an individual to determine which medication is best.
The most common ADHD medication is a stimulant. It works by altering the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Stimulants like methylphenidate (also known as Adderall), and dextroamphetamine enhance the supply of neurotransmitters that help improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and reduce aggression. These stimulants are available in a variety of forms, including skin patches, liquids and chewable tablets. These stimulants that last longer are popular as they lead to better patient compliance and more consistent, long-lasting improvement of symptoms.
It is important to be aware that co-occurring disorders like depression or anxiety disorders can influence the response to ADHD medication. Therefore, it is recommended that these disorders be treated first and medication utilized as a secondary measure. The medications that are used to treat comorbid psychiatric disorders include bupropion, atomoxetine and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).).
Some patients may exhibit some patients may experience a "rebound" effect in which they experience worsening of ADHD symptoms after stopping stimulant medication. In these instances, a brief trial of a lower dose of stimulant medication could be helpful.
Certain people are not able to tolerate stimulant medication or cannot use it due to drug misuse or other health conditions like severe hypertension or heart issues. In these cases, nonstimulant medication such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These medications don't cause the same level of side effects as stimulants, and are less risk of abuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
People suffering from ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). adhd treatment adults can help those with ADHD learn how to improve their lives, manage stress and anxiety, manage conflicts, or deal with problems at work or in relationships. It can also aid with co-existing mental illnesses like depression and addiction disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and schema therapy. These treatments are based on the notion that thoughts and beliefs affect how a person feels, thinks and acts. CBT helps a person recognize negative behavior and thought patterns, then develops and implements strategies to change these patterns. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy utilizes techniques of meditation to teach people how to focus on their emotions and thoughts, manage their impulses, and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy, as well as other forms psychotherapy that focus on the family history of a person could be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD.
In addition to medicines psychotherapy can assist in addressing the specific issues that arise from ADHD, such as trouble keeping up with schoolwork, resolving conflicts, getting together with others, losing important dates or obligations, and impulsive decisions that can lead to legal or financial issues. It can also assist a person explore and overcome underlying issues that may be contributing to their ADHD symptoms, like anxiety or depression.
Psychotherapy can help a person find healthy coping skills and reduce stress through exercising, improving sleep and healthy eating habits. It can also provide support to the family member or partner who is dealing with the negative effects ADHD has on their relationship. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help couples and families learn how to communicate better and manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a type of psychotherapy that is focused on helping clients to change their negative thinking patterns. It involves a skill-based dialog with an expert in mental health to address the underlying reason for the symptoms. The aim of this therapy is to overcome limitations and implement strategies for coping that fit with the person's everyday life.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT show clients to recognize unhelpful thoughts and help them build the skills to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can take some time. But it is an effective option for adults who do not receive enough relief from their medication.
In the course of a recent RCT, it was found that cognitive behavioral therapy paired 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 problems.
Therapists who provide this type of treatment work with their clients to devise an action plan that addresses the specific issues they face. They typically teach them a set of practical skills that are easy to implement and have a high likelihood of success. Charts are often used to monitor progress, and to reward positive behavior. This could be an everyday report for a child that outlines the tasks they have to complete in school or the positive behaviors that need to be demonstrated, and a system of tracking and earning rewards. The therapists can also discuss the possibility that negative consequences could be introduced when a child fails to complete their tasks. This can be done in a very sensitive and supportive way.
Metacognitive Therapy
Metacognitive therapy is a brand new kind of psychotherapy that helps people to change their thinking. This kind of therapy can be beneficial to those who suffer from a variety mental health problems, such as depression. It is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy which assists people in recognizing negative thoughts and their effect on their emotions. This kind of therapy can also help them acquire psychological tools that are adaptable and useful.
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between metacognitive abilities and daily functioning in adults suffering from ADHD. In order to do this we compared self and informant-rated daily functioning impairments with predictors of Metacognition (comprehensive knowledge, regulation of Cognition, Debugging Information Management and Evaluation). It was found that the comprehensive knowledge of people was linked to daily functioning in adults with ADHD but that regulatory processes were not. The predictive effectiveness of a model that includes predictors of metacognition was moderate, indicating that they could explain a significant amount of the variance in daily functioning for adults with ADHD.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an treatment that focuses on transforming metacognitive beliefs that cause dysfunction and perpetuate mental states such as worry, rumination, or attention fixation. Adrian Wells developed MCT based on an idea of information processing created by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been shown to be effective in treating illness anxiety disorders. However, it is still an emerging treatment, and further research will be needed to determine if it could help with other disorders.
This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of MCT to treat symptoms of illness anxiety disorder. However, it can be used to treat various disorders and may be more effective than any other treatment. It is not an effective treatment, but it can be utilized to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy the therapist works with the whole family. Everyone is able to better understand the issues of the client and learn how they can help their loved family members. It also assists them in dealing with their anger and develop more effective communication skills. This type of counseling can be used to tackle the underlying conditions, like substance abuse and depression which are frequently associated as part of ADHD.
The therapist will begin with an intake session to get a clearer understanding of the family's perspective of the problem and assess their suitability for family intervention. It can be done in person or online. The counselor will go over the details of the treatment with each person and spell out the do's and don'ts of family therapy.
A therapist who has had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD asks a lot questions to gain an understanding of their present symptoms as well as their history and the impact they have on their family, work, and relationships. They will also inquire whether there are other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an organized form of counseling which teaches you to change your negative thoughts patterns and control your behavior. It focuses on improving self-esteem and self control by educating you on how to handle anger and stress. It is a short-term treatment option that can be paired with other forms of psychotherapy.
Individual talk therapy can help people suffering from ADHD deal with emotional burdens resulting from long-standing patterns of underachievement, failure, academic difficulties as well as frequent job changes and conflict in relationships. It can help you learn coping and stress reduction techniques and help you manage your time and finances more efficiently. It can be used to treat comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and mood disorders, that are often associated with ADHD.