Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people with ADHD have comorbid disorders such as major depression (Kessler et al 2006). Many patients who are depressed do not respond well to medication and could get better results from therapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and increase levels of certain brain chemicals. Commonly prescribed stimulants include amphetamine, methylphenidate and similar drugs.
Medications
Adults can take a variety of drugs that are prescribed for ADHD in children. However, the dosages are different and the drugs may cause adverse effects that aren't present in children. A doctor will consider the individual's medical history, family history and other health conditions to determine which medicine is best for him or her.
The most popular kind of ADHD medication is stimulant. It is used to regulate levels of two chemical messengers in the brain, namely norepinephrine and dopamine. Stimulants such as methylphenidate (also known as Adderall), and dextroamphetamine increase the availability of neurotransmitters, which help improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and decrease aggression. treating adhd in adults are available in a variety of forms, including skin patches, liquids and chewable tablets. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferred because they lead to more patient compliance and lasting and smoother improvement of symptoms.
It is crucial to be aware that co-occurring disorders like anxiety or depression may affect the response to ADHD medication. It is therefore recommended that psychiatric disorders be treated first before medications be used as a secondary measure. Some medications that are used to treat comorbid mood disorders include atomoxetine and bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).
Certain patients might experience an "rebound effect" where their ADHD symptoms worsen after discontinuing stimulant medications. In these instances, a short-term trial of the use of a low dose stimulant medication could be beneficial.
Some people cannot tolerate stimulant medications or are not able to take them due to abuse of drugs or other health issues, like heart issues that are severe or hypertension. In these instances, non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and viloxazine may be beneficial. These medications don't cause the same level of adverse effects as stimulants and have lower risks of misuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
People with ADHD are able to benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help those who suffer from ADHD learn to improve their lives, deal with anxiety and stress, resolve conflicts, or manage issues at work or in relationships. It can also aid those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing such as depression and addiction disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as mind-body cognitive therapy and schema therapy. These treatments are based on the idea that beliefs and thoughts can influence how someone is feeling, thinks and behaves. CBT assists a person to recognize negative behavior and thought patterns, and then formulates and implements strategies to change them. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy employs techniques of meditation to teach people how to concentrate on their thoughts and emotions, manage their impulses and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy, and other forms psychotherapy that focus on a person’s family history can be beneficial for people with ADHD.
Psychotherapy, in addition to medication, can aid with specific ADHD problems, such as difficulties with schoolwork or getting along with other people. It can also assist with forgetting important dates and responsibilities, and making impulsive decisions that can result in legal and financial issues. Psychotherapy can help someone overcome the root issues like depression and anxiety that may contribute to their ADHD symptoms.
Psychotherapy can help people find healthy ways to cope and reduce stress. For instance exercising, improving sleep and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to a spouse or family member who may be dealing with the effects of ADHD on their relationship. Marriage and family therapy helps couples and families learn how to communicate better and manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on transforming the client's negative thinking patterns. It uses skill-based dialogue with an experienced mental health professional (a therapist) to address the root causes of their symptoms. This therapy aims to assist clients overcome their impairments and develop coping skills that are appropriate to their daily lives.
In treating adult adhd to teaching clients to recognize harmful thoughts, therapists who specialize in adult ADHD CBT help them develop abilities that enable them to replace unhelpful thinking with more productive ones. The process can be long. However, it's a good alternative for adults who are not getting adequate relief from medication.
In an upcoming RCT, it was found that cognitive behavior therapy in combination with medication is superior to cognitive behavior therapy on its own when it comes to improving the core symptoms, emotional symptoms, self-esteem and social functioning for adults with ADHD (Clarke, et al. 2017). The combination of CBT and methylphenidate is particularly beneficial for those suffering from more severe underlying issues.
The therapists who offer this kind of treatment usually collaborate with the client to develop an action plan specific to addressing their problems. They will teach them a set of practical skills that are easy to learn and have a high probability of success. Typically, a chart system is used to track progress and reward positive behaviour. For children, this could involve a daily report that lists all the school activities or positive behaviors they must perform and a system for monitoring and gaining rewards. The therapists could also discuss the possibility of the introduction of negative consequences if children fail to complete their work. This can be done with care and support.
Metacognitive Therapy
A more recent form of therapy, metacognitive therapy, assists individuals in changing how they think. This type of treatment is effective for those suffering from a range of mental health problems which include depression. It is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy which helps people learn to recognize negative thoughts and their impact on their emotions. This kind of therapy can also assist in the acquisition of psychological tools that are flexible and effective.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between metacognitive abilities and daily functioning in adults with ADHD. To accomplish this, we compared the self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning with predictors of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge as well as regulation of cognition debugging, management of information, and evaluation). It was discovered that comprehensive knowledge was connected to daily functioning in adults with ADHD but that the processes of regulation were not. Metacognition predictors had a moderate predictive power, which suggests they could explain an important amount of variance in daily functioning of adults with ADHD.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an intervention that focuses on changing metacognitive beliefs that are dysfunctional and perpetuate mental states such as worry, rumination, and attention fixation. Adrian Wells developed MCT based on the model of information processing developed by Wells and Gerald Matthews. A case series has proven the effectiveness of MCT in managing illness anxiety, but it's still relatively in its infancy and more research is needed to determine its effectiveness in other disorders.
This study was created for evaluating the effectiveness of MCT to alleviate symptoms of illness anxiety disorder. However it could be used to treat a variety of disorders and is more effective than any other treatment. This is not an effective treatment, but it can be employed to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy the Therapist works with the entire family. All members can better understand the client's issues and learn how they can help their loved family members. It also assists them in dealing with their frustrations and build more effective communication skills. Additionally, this kind of therapy is helpful in addressing comorbid conditions such as depression or addiction to drugs, which are typically seen alongside ADHD.
The therapist will commence with an intake session in order to gain a better understanding of the family's view of the problem and assess their ability to intervene with the family. This can be done in person or online. The therapist will discuss the nature of treatment with each person and spell out the do's and don'ts of family therapy.
A therapist with experience treating adults with ADHD asks lots of questions to get a better understanding of their present symptoms as well as their history and the impact they have on their work, family and relationships. They will also ask whether any other mental health issues are present, like anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of counseling that helps you learn how to manage your behavior and transform negative thinking patterns to positive ones. It focuses on boosting self-esteem and self-control by educating you on how to manage stress and anger. It is a treatment option for short-term use that can be used in conjunction with other forms of psychotherapy.
Individual therapy helps those with ADHD to overcome the emotional baggage that comes from failing and underachievement. It can also help them deal problems with relationships or job changes as well as academic difficulties. 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 be used to tackle other comorbid conditions like mood and anxiety disorders, which are often seen alongside ADHD.