Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many adults with ADHD suffer from comorbid disorders, such as major depression (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many patients who are depressed aren't able to take medication and may benefit from therapy.
The most effective medications to treat core symptoms of ADHD are those that boost and balance levels of specific neurotransmitters in the brain. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are often prescribed.
Medicines
Adults can take a variety of medications that are used for ADHD in children. However the dosages are different and the drugs 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 medicine is the best for them.
The most commonly used type of ADHD medication is stimulant and is used to regulate levels of two chemical messengers in the brain, norepinephrine as well as dopamine. The stimulants methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine (commonly known as Adderall) increase the amount of these neurotransmitters. They aid in improving focus and reducing impulsivity and aggression. These stimulants are available in various forms, such as skin patches, liquids, and chewable tablets. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferable because they lead to greater patient compliance and a longer lasting and smoother improvement of symptoms.
It is important to be aware that co-occurring disorders like depression or anxiety disorders can affect the response to ADHD medication. Therefore it is recommended that psychiatric issues be treated first and medication utilized as a secondary measure. Medications that can be used to treat comorbid psychiatric disorders include atomoxetine, bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).
Certain patients may experience a "rebound" effect where they experience worsening of ADHD symptoms after discontinuing stimulant medications. In these cases, a short-term trial of the use of a low dose stimulant medication could be helpful.
Some people are unable to tolerate stimulant medicines or are not able to take them due to abuse of drugs or other health conditions like heart issues that are severe or hypertension. In these cases, non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine and viloxazine may be beneficial. These medications don't have the same negative side effects as stimulants, and are less likely to be misused or misused.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can be beneficial for those with ADHD. It can help those with ADHD to improve their lives, deal with stress and anxiety, manage conflicts, or cope with issues in their relationships or at work. It can also assist with those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing, such as depression and addiction disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and schema therapy. These therapies are based on belief that one's beliefs and thoughts influence how they feel, think and act. CBT helps a person recognize negative behaviors and thinking patterns, then develops and implements strategies to change them. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy uses techniques for meditation to teach people how to focus on their emotions and thoughts, manage their impulses and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy, and other forms of psychotherapy that concentrate on a person’s family history can be beneficial for people suffering from ADHD.
In addition to medicines psychotherapy can assist in addressing the specific problems caused by ADHD like difficulty getting through schoolwork, resolving conflict and being able to get along with others, forgetting important dates or responsibilities and making impulsive choices that can lead to legal or financial issues. It can also help people to identify and overcome issues that may be contributing to their ADHD symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.
Psychotherapy can assist a person find healthy coping skills and reduce stress, for example exercise, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to a spouse or family member who is struggling with the effects of ADHD on their relationship. Marriage and family therapy can help couples and families improve communication and learn to manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a form of psychotherapy which focuses on helping clients overcome their negative thoughts. It uses skill-based dialogue with an experienced mental health professional (a therapist) to address the root causes of their symptoms. This treatment is designed to help patients overcome impairments and develop coping skills that are compatible with their daily routines.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT instruct clients to recognize harmful thoughts and help them develop skills to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can take a while. It's a possibility for those who are unable to get enough relief from their medication.
A recent RCT study concluded that when combined with medication, CBT is superior to CBT on its own in improving the emotional symptoms, core symptoms, self-esteem and social functioning of adults suffering from ADHD (Clarke and co., 2017). CBT combined with methylphenidate can be particularly effective for people with more serious underlying issues.
Therapists who provide this kind of treatment work with clients to create an action plan to address the specific issues they face. They usually teach them the fundamentals of therapy that are easy to apply and have a good chance of being successful. Typically, a chart system is used to track the progress of a child and reward positive behavior. This could be an everyday report for children that details the tasks they are required to complete in school or the positive behavior that must be displayed, as well as a system of monitoring and rewarding. Therapists may also discuss the possibility that negative consequences could be introduced when a child does not complete their task. This can be done in a sensitive and supportive way.
Metacognitive Therapy
A more recent form of therapy, metacognitive therapy assists individuals in changing how they think. This kind of therapy can be beneficial for those who suffer from various mental health problems, such as depression. treatment for adult adhd 's a kind of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps individuals learn to recognize their negative thought patterns and how they affect their emotions. This kind of therapy helps them develop psychological tools that are flexible and useful.
The goal of this study was to explore the relationship between metacognitive abilities and daily functioning in adults suffering from ADHD. To accomplish this we compared self- and informant-rated deficits in daily functioning with predictors of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge as well as regulation of cognition debugging, management of information, and evaluation). The results indicated that comprehensive knowledge was linked to daily functioning in adults with ADHD, but not the processes that regulate. The predictors of metacognition had a moderate predictive power, which indicates that they can explain an important amount of variance in daily functioning of adults suffering from ADHD.
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on modifying metacognitive beliefs that are dysfunctional and perpetuate states of worry and rumination, as well as attention fixation. MCT was developed by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model created by Wells and Gerald Matthews. A case series has proven the effectiveness of MCT in managing illness anxiety, but it's still a relatively new concept and more research is needed to determine its efficacy for other disorders.
This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of MCT to treat symptoms of anxiety disorder. However it is also able to treat various disorders and may be more effective than other treatment. This isn't an effective treatment, but it can be used to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapist works with the whole family. Everyone is able to better understand the client's needs and learn how to help their loved family members. It also helps them cope with their anger and develop better communication skills. Additionally, this kind of counseling is useful in dealing with comorbid disorders such as depression and alcohol abuse, which are commonly found in conjunction with ADHD.
The therapist will start with an intake session to get a better understanding of the family's perception of the problem and assess their potential for intervention by the family. This can be done in person or online. The therapist will explain to each person the nature of treatment as well as the do's & don'ts for family therapy.
A therapist with worked with adults suffering from ADHD asks a lot questions to get a better understanding of their current symptoms as well as their history and the impact that they have on their family, work and relationships. They will also inquire if any other mental issues are present, such anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a structured form of counseling which teaches you to change your negative patterns of thinking and to manage your behavior. It focuses on improving self-esteem and self control by teaching you how to manage stress and anger. This is a short-term option that can be utilized in conjunction with other forms of psychotherapy.
Individual talk therapy can help those with ADHD deal with emotional trauma from a long-running pattern of underachievement and failure, academic difficulties frequent job changes, and conflict in relationships. It can help you learn coping and stress reduction techniques and teach you how to manage your time and money more efficiently. It can also help with comorbid disorders such as depression and anxiety, which are often seen with ADHD.