Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many adults with ADHD suffer from comorbid disorders, like major depression (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many patients are not responsive to medications for depression and may be able to benefit from psychotherapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and boost levels of certain brain chemicals. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are commonly prescribed.
Medicines
A variety of medications used to treat ADHD in children can be used for adults. However the dosages differ and the medications can cause adverse effects that aren't common in children. The doctor will examine the medical history, the family health history and other factors of the individual to determine which medicine is best.
The most commonly used kind of ADHD medication is stimulant. It works by adjusting levels of two chemical messengers within the brain, namely norepinephrine and dopamine. The stimulants like methylphenidate (also called Adderall) and dextroamphetamine increase the availability of neurotransmitters, which help improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and reduce aggression. These stimulants are available in various forms, including skin patches, liquids, and chewable tablets. These long-acting stimulants are favored due to their improved patient compliance, and more consistent, long-lasting improvement of symptoms.
It is crucial to keep in mind that comorbidities like depression and anxiety disorders can affect the response to ADHD medication. Therefore it is recommended that psychiatric issues be treated first before medication is used as a secondary measure. The drugs that can be used to treat comorbid disorders of mood are atomoxetine (Bupropion) tricyclic antidepressants and bupropion (Wilens 2004).
Certain patients may have a "rebound effect" where their ADHD symptoms get worse after stopping stimulant medication. In these instances, a short-term trial of a low-dose stimulant medication may be helpful.
Certain people are not able to take stimulant medication or take it due to drug misuse or other health issues such as severe hypertension or heart problems. In these situations, nonstimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and viloxazine may be beneficial. These medications don't have the same adverse effects as stimulants, and they are less likely to be abused or diverted.
Psychotherapy
People with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help those with ADHD learn how to improve their lives, deal with stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, or cope with problems in their relationships or at work. It can also help with co-existing mental illnesses such as depression and addiction disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and schema therapy. These therapies are based on the notion that a person's beliefs and thoughts affect how they behave, think and feel. CBT assists individuals in identifying negative behaviors and thought patterns and then devise and implement positive strategies to change them. Meditation techniques are used in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help people concentrate on their thoughts and emotions, control impulses, and improve executive functioning. Schema therapy, as well as other forms of psychotherapy that focus on the family history of a person can be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD.
In addition to medications psychotherapy can assist in addressing the particular issues caused by ADHD problems, like having trouble keeping up with schoolwork, resolving conflicts and getting along with others, ignoring important dates or obligations and making impulsive choices that lead to financial or legal troubles. It can also assist a person explore and overcome issues that could cause ADHD symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.
Psychotherapy can help people discover healthy strategies for coping and decrease stress. For example, exercise, sleep improvement, and healthy eating habits. It can also provide support to a spouse or family member who may be dealing with the effects of ADHD on their relationship. Therapy for families and marriage helps couples and families learn how to communicate better and manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a kind of psychotherapy which focuses on helping clients change their negative thoughts. adhd adult treatment utilizes skill-based dialogue with a trained mental health professional (a therapist) to address the root causes of their symptoms. The aim of this treatment is to correct limitations and implement strategies for coping that fit with the client's daily life.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT instruct clients to recognize unhelpful thinking patterns and assist them to learn to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can take time. It is an option for those who cannot feel enough relief from their medications.
In an upcoming RCT that was conducted, it was discovered that cognitive behavioral therapy paired with medication is superior to cognitive behavior therapy on its own when it comes to improving the core symptoms, emotional symptom, self-esteem, and social performance in adults suffering from ADHD (Clarke and co. 2017). The combination of CBT and methylphenidate is especially beneficial for those suffering from more severe underlying problems.
The therapists who offer this treatment usually work with the client to devise a detailed action plan for addressing their problems. They usually teach them a set of practical skills that are easy to implement and have a high chance of success. A chart system is often utilized to track the progress of a child and reward positive behavior. For an infant, this could be a daily journal which outlines the in-school tasks or positive behavior they must perform and a system for recording and earning rewards. The therapists could consider creating negative consequences if a child does not complete their work. This can be done with sensitivity and encouragement.
Metacognitive Therapy
A newer form of therapy, metacognitive therapy, helps individuals change how they think. This type of therapy can be beneficial to those who suffer from a range of mental health issues like depression. It's a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that assists people to identify their negative thoughts and how they affect their moods. This kind of therapy can help to develop mental tools that are flexible and useful.
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning in 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 found that comprehensive knowledge was connected to daily functioning in adults with ADHD but that the processes of regulation were not. The predictors of metacognition had moderate predictive power which indicates that they can explain a significant amount of variance in daily functioning of adults suffering from ADHD.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an treatment that focuses on transforming dysfunctional metacognitive belief patterns that perpetuate mental states such as worry, rumination, and attention fixation. MCT was developed by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model created by Wells and Gerald Matthews. One case series has demonstrated the effectiveness of MCT in tackling anxiety, but it's still relatively new and more research is needed to determine its effectiveness for other disorders.
This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of MCT in the reduction of symptoms of illness anxiety disorder, however it can be applied to a variety of disorders, and may be more effective than other treatments. It is not an effective treatment, but it can be employed to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy the therapist works with the whole family. This allows everyone to learn about the client's issues and to understand how to help their loved one more effectively. It also helps them find ways to deal with their own frustrations and improve their communication skills. Additionally, this type of counseling is useful for addressing comorbidities such as depression and substance misuse which are often found in conjunction with ADHD.
The therapist will begin with an intake session to understand the family's perspective and determine if they're suitable for family intervention. This can be done in person or online. The counselor will go over the details of the treatment with each client and lay out the do's and don'ts of family therapy.
A therapist with experience treating adults with ADHD will ask lots of questions to gain understanding of the client's current symptoms, their history, and their impact on their work as well as their family and social life. They will also inquire whether any other mental issues are present, like depression or anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured type of counseling that teaches you how to manage your behavior and change negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. It focuses on improving your self-esteem and self-control through teaching strategies to manage stress and anger. It is a treatment option for short-term use that can be paired with other types of psychotherapy.
untreated adhd in adults can help people with ADHD to manage the emotional baggage that results from underachievement and failure. It can also help them deal problems with relationships, job changes, and academic issues. It can help you develop ways to manage stress and cope and help you manage your time and finances more effectively. It can also help with comorbid disorders such as mood and anxiety disorders that are commonly associated with ADHD.