Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid disorders like major depressive disorder (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many patients are not responsive to medication for depression and may benefit from psychotherapy.
Treatments that are most effective in reducing the most fundamental symptoms of ADHD appear to increase and balance levels of certain neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals. Drugs that stimulate the brain such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are commonly prescribed.
Medicines
A variety of medications used to treat ADHD in children can be used for adults. However, the dosages are different and the medications can cause negative side effects that aren't common in children. The doctor will examine the medical history, the family health history, and other health conditions of the patient to determine which drug is the best for them.
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 called Adderall), and dextroamphetamine boost the supply of neurotransmitters that aid in improving focus, reduce impulsivity and reduce aggression. These stimulants are available in different forms, including liquids, skin patches and chewable tablets. These long-acting stimulants are preferred as they lead to better patient compliance and an easier, longer-lasting improvement of symptoms.
It is crucial to keep in mind that co-existing conditions like anxiety and depression can influence the response to ADHD medications. It is therefore recommended that psychiatric disorders be treated first, and medication used as secondary measure. Some medications that are used to treat comorbid mood disorders include atomoxetine and bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).).
Some patients may experience an "rebound" effect in which they experience a worsening of ADHD symptoms after stopping stimulant medication. In these cases an experiment of a short duration with an atypical stimulant drug could be helpful.
Certain people are not able to take stimulant medications or use it due to addiction to drugs or other health issues such as severe hypertension or heart issues. In these instances, non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These medications don't cause the same negative side effects as stimulants, and they are less likely to be misused or misused.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is a great option for those suffering from ADHD. It can help them gain skills to improve their life manage stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, and deal with problems in relationships or at work. It can also aid in the treatment of those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing, like addiction and depression disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and schema therapy. These therapies are based upon the notion that beliefs and thoughts can influence how someone feels, thinks and acts. CBT helps individuals identify negative behaviors and thought patterns and then devise and implement positive strategies to change these. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy utilizes techniques for meditation to teach people how to concentrate on their thoughts and emotions, manage their impulses, and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy, as well as other forms of psychotherapy focusing on the family history of a person could be beneficial for those with ADHD with significant secondary issues.
Psychotherapy, as well as medication, can help with specific ADHD problems, such as difficulty completing schoolwork or interacting with others. It can also assist with forgetting important dates and responsibilities and making decisions that are impulsive and could lead to legal and financial problems. Psychotherapy can also help people to identify and resolve issues that be contributing to their ADHD symptoms, like depression or anxiety.
Psychotherapy can help people find healthy coping techniques and reduce stress. For adhd treatments adults , sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also offer support to a spouse or family member who may be dealing with the effects of ADHD on their relationship. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help families and couples learn to communicate better and manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a form of psychotherapy that is focused on helping clients to change their negative thoughts. 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 daily routine of the client.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT teach clients how to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and assist them to build the skills to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can be lengthy. It is an option for those who are unable to receive enough relief from their medications.
A recent RCT study concluded that when combined with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy on its own in reducing the core symptoms, emotional symptoms as well as self-esteem and social functioning of adults suffering from ADHD (Clarke and colleagues. 2017). The combination of CBT and methylphenidate is particularly effective for those with more severe underlying problems.
The therapists that provide this type of treatment typically work with the client to create an action plan that is specific to solving their issues. They will teach them a set of practical skills that are simple to master and have a high chance of success. Charts are often used to track progress and to reward positive behavior. For a child, this might be a daily journal that outlines all of the school-related tasks or positive behaviors they need to accomplish and an approach to recording and earning rewards. adhd adults treatment can also consider creating negative consequences if a child does not complete their work. This can be done in a sensitive and supportive way.
Metacognitive Therapy
A newer type of therapy, metacognitive therapy, assists individuals in changing how they think. This kind of therapy can be beneficial to those who suffer from various mental health problems, such as depression. It is a kind of cognitive behavioral therapy which helps people recognize negative thinking patterns and their effects on their emotions. This kind of therapy can help to develop psychological tools that are versatile and useful.
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between metacognitive abilities and daily functioning in adults suffering from ADHD. To achieve this we evaluated self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning to predictors of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge, regulation of cognition, debugging, information management, and evaluation). The results showed that complete knowledge was associated with daily functioning in adults with ADHD however, it was not associated with regulatory processes. The predictive ability of a model incorporating metacognition predictors was moderate, suggesting that they can explain significant proportions of the variation in daily functioning of people with ADHD.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an intervention that focuses on changing dysfunctional metacognitive belief patterns that perpetuate states such as worry, rumination, and attention fixation. MCT was developed by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model developed by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, it is still an emerging treatment and further research will be needed to determine if it could aid in other disorders.
This study was created to assess the effectiveness of MCT in decreasing symptoms of anxiety disorder, but it can be applied to a range of disorders, and may be more effective than other therapies. This is not a cure, but can be employed to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapist works with all members of the family. This allows everyone to understand the client's problems and to learn how they can support their loved one better. It also helps them find ways to cope with their own frustrations and improve their communication skills. This type of counseling could also be used to address comorbid conditions, such as substance abuse and depression that are commonly associated as a result of ADHD.
The therapist will start with an intake session to better understand the family's views and determine if they're suitable for intervention with the family. The session can be conducted in person or online. The Therapist will discuss the nature of the therapy with each person and spell out the rules and guidelines of family therapy.
A therapist with experience in treating adults with ADHD will ask a variety of questions to gain insight into 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 there are any other mental health issues present like anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of counseling that teaches you how to control your behavior and change negative thinking patterns into positive ones. It focuses on improving your self-esteem and self-control by teaching techniques to cope with anger and stress. This is a temporary option that can be utilized alongside other types of psychotherapy.
Individual therapy helps those with ADHD to manage the emotional baggage that comes from failing and underachievement. It can also help them deal with conflicts in relationships or job changes as well as academic difficulties. It can teach you stress reduction and coping techniques as well as how to manage your time and finances. It can also help with the comorbidity of disorders like depression and anxiety, which are often seen with ADHD.