Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many adults suffering from ADHD also suffer from comorbid disorders, such as major depression (Kessler and colleagues 2006). Many depressed patients do not respond well to medication and may be able to benefit from therapy.
Medications that most effectively improve core symptoms of ADHD are those that boost and balance levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Drugs that stimulate the brain such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are frequently prescribed.
treatment for adult add of the medications used to treat ADHD in children can be used for adults. However the dosages differ and the drugs may cause adverse effects that aren't typical of children. The doctor will look at the medical history, the family health history, and other conditions of an individual to determine which medication is the best for them.
The most commonly used ADHD medication is a stimulant. It works by adjusting the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. The stimulants like methylphenidate (also known as Adderall) and dextroamphetamine increase the availability of neurotransmitters that help improve concentration, decrease impulsivity, and reduce aggression. They come in various forms like chewable tablets, liquids and skin patches. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferred because they lead to better patient compliance and longer lasting, smoother improvement in symptoms.
It is important to remember that comorbid conditions like depression or anxiety disorders can affect the response to ADHD medication. Therefore, it is recommended that psychiatric issues be treated first and medication used as a second measure. Medications that are used to treat comorbid psychiatric disorders include bupropion, atomoxetine and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).
Some patients may experience a "rebound" effect, where they experience an increase in ADHD symptoms after discontinuing stimulant medication. In these cases a short trial of a lower dose of stimulant medication could be beneficial.
Some people are unable to tolerate stimulant medicines or are unable to take them due to addiction or other health issues, like heart issues that are severe or hypertension. In these cases, nonstimulant medication such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These drugs don't have the same adverse effects as stimulants, and are less likely to be misused or diverted.
Psychotherapy
People with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help people with ADHD to improve their lives, manage stress and anxiety, resolve 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 behavior therapy (CBT) as well as mind-body cognitive therapy and schema therapy. These treatments are based on the notion that beliefs and thoughts can influence how someone is feeling, thinks and behaves. CBT helps people recognize negative behavior and thought patterns, and then formulates and implements positive strategies to change these patterns. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy employs techniques for meditation to help a person learn to focus on their thoughts and emotions, control 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.
In addition to medication psychotherapy can also help with the particular issues caused by ADHD problems, like having trouble getting through schoolwork, resolving conflict and getting together with others, losing important dates or obligations and making impulsive choices that result in legal or financial issues. It can help a person overcome issues of the underlying nature, such as depression and anxiety that may be contributing to their ADHD symptoms.
Psychotherapy can help people find healthy strategies for coping and decrease stress. For example, exercise, sleep improvement, and healthy eating habits. It can also offer support to an individual in the family or with a spouse who is struggling with the effects ADHD affects 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 kind of psychotherapy that is focused on transforming the negative patterns of thinking that clients have. It involves a dialog based on skill with an expert in mental health to identify the root cause of symptoms. The aim of this therapy is to correct impairments and implement coping strategies that are compatible with the person's everyday life.
In treatment of add in adults , they teach clients to recognize harmful thoughts, the therapists who specialize in adult ADHD CBT assist them in developing skills that allow them to replace unhelpful thinking with more productive ones. This process can take a while. However, it's a good alternative for adults who aren't getting enough relief from medications.
In the course of a recent RCT that was conducted, it was discovered that cognitive behavioral therapy paired with medication is superior to cognitive behavior therapy alone in terms of improving core symptoms, emotional symptom, self-esteem, and social performance for adults with ADHD (Clarke and co. 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 their specific problems. They train them in a series of practical skills that are easy to learn and have a good chance of success. A chart system is often utilized to track progress and reward positive behaviors. This could be the daily report of a child that outlines the tasks they have to finish at school or the positive behaviors that need to be exhibited, and an organized system for recording and earning rewards. The therapists could consider introducing negative consequences when a child does not complete their tasks. This can be done in a very sensitive and calming manner.
Metacognitive Therapy
Metacognitive therapy is a brand new type of psychotherapy that assists people change their mindset. This type of treatment is effective for those with a variety of mental health issues which include depression. It is a kind of cognitive behavior therapy that helps people recognize negative thoughts and their effect on their emotions. This type of therapy helps individuals develop psychological tools that are versatile and useful.
This study aimed to examine the relationship between metacognitive abilities and daily functioning in adults suffering from ADHD. To accomplish this we examined the relationship between self- and informant-rated deficits in daily functioning to the indicators of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge as well as regulation of cognition, debugging, management of information, and evaluation). It was observed that the comprehensive knowledge of people was linked to daily functioning in adults with ADHD however, the regulatory processes were not. Metacognition predictors had moderate predictive power which indicates that they can explain an important amount of variation in the daily functioning of adults with ADHD.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an treatment that focuses on changing metacognitive beliefs that are dysfunctional and perpetuate mental states such as worry, rumination and attention fixation. MCT was created by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model developed by Wells and Gerald Matthews. A case series has proven the effectiveness of MCT in reducing 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 to determine the efficacy 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 therapies. This isn't a cure, but it could be used to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapist works with all family members. Everyone can gain a better understanding of the client's issues and learn to assist their loved family members. It also helps them find ways to deal with their own frustrations and improve their communication skills. Additionally, this kind of therapy is helpful in dealing with comorbid disorders like depression or addiction to drugs, which are typically seen alongside ADHD.
The therapist will begin with an intake session to understand the family's views and determine whether they are appropriate for family intervention. This can be conducted online or in person. The counselor will explain to each person the purpose of therapy and the do's & don'ts for family therapy.
A therapist who has worked with adults suffering from ADHD will ask a lot of questions to gain insight into their current symptoms as well as their past and the impact that they have on their family, work, and relationships. They will also inquire if any other mental issues are present, such depression or anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of counseling that is structured which teaches you to change your negative thoughts patterns and control your behavior. It concentrates on improving your self esteem and self-control by teaching methods to deal with anxiety and stress. It is a treatment option for short-term use that can be used in conjunction with other forms of psychotherapy.
Individual therapy can help people with ADHD to manage the emotional baggage that comes from underachievement and failure. It can also assist them in dealing with conflicts in relationships, job changes, and academic issues. It can help you learn strategies for coping with stress and stress reduction, and how to manage your time and finances. It can also be used to address other comorbid conditions like mood and anxiety disorders, that are often associated with ADHD.