Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many adults with ADHD have comorbid conditions such as major depression (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many sufferers do not respond to depression medications and may be able to benefit from psychotherapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and increase levels of certain brain chemicals. Drugs that stimulate the brain such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are frequently prescribed.
Medicines
Adults can take a variety of medications to treat ADHD in children. The dosages and the side effects are different. A doctor will consider the individual's medical history, family history, and other health conditions to determine which medication is the best for them.
The most common ADHD medication is a stimulant. It works by adjusting the levels of norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain. Stimulants like methylphenidate (also called Adderall), and dextroamphetamine boost the supply of neurotransmitters that help improve focus, reduce impulsivity and decrease aggression. They are available in a variety of forms, including chewable tablets, liquids, and skin patches. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferable because they provide more patient compliance and lasting, smoother improvement in symptoms.
It is crucial to keep in mind that co-existing conditions like anxiety and depression can influence the response to ADHD medication. Therefore, it is recommended that these psychiatric issues be treated first before medications be used as a secondary measure. Some medications that are used to treat comorbid psychiatric disorders include atomoxetine and bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).).
Some patients may exhibit an "rebound" effect where they experience a worsening of ADHD symptoms after discontinuing stimulant medications. In these instances, a short trial of a lower dose of stimulant medication can be beneficial.
Some people are unable take stimulant medication or take it because of addiction to drugs or other health issues such as heart or hypertension problems that are severe. In these situations, nonstimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and viloxazine are effective. These medications don't have the same adverse effects as stimulants, and are less likely to be misused or diverted.
Psychotherapy
People with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help them learn skills to improve their life manage anxiety and stress, work out conflicts, and manage problems in relationships or at work. It can also help those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing, like addiction and depression disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), mind-body cognitive therapy, as well as schema therapy. These treatments are based on the notion that thoughts and beliefs can affect how a person is feeling, thinks and behaves. CBT assists a person to recognize negative behaviors and thinking patterns, and then formulates and implements positive strategies to alter them. Meditation techniques are used in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help people concentrate on their emotions and thoughts, control impulses, and improve executive functioning. Schema therapy, and other forms of psychotherapy that concentrate on the family history of a person could be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD.
In addition to medication, psychotherapy can help address the particular issues caused by ADHD like difficulty keeping up with schoolwork, resolving conflicts, being able to get along with others, forgetting important dates or obligations, and impulsive decisions that lead to legal or financial issues. Psychotherapy can also help people to identify and overcome issues that could cause ADHD symptoms, like depression or anxiety.
Psychotherapy can assist people in finding healthy coping techniques and reduce stress. For example, exercise, sleep improvement, and healthy eating habits. It can also provide support to the family member or spouse who is struggling with the effects ADHD affects their relationship. Therapy for families and marriage can assist families and couples communicate better and understand how to manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a form of psychotherapy that is focused on helping clients overcome their negative thoughts. It uses skill-based dialogue with a skilled mental health professional (a therapist) to address the underlying causes of their symptoms. This treatment aims to help clients overcome impairments and develop coping skills that are compatible with their daily lives.
In addition to educating clients how to identify unhelpful thoughts, those who specialize in adult ADHD CBT aid them in developing abilities that enable them to replace negative thoughts with more productive ones. This process can be lengthy. It's a possibility for adults who do not get enough relief from their medications.
In an upcoming RCT, it was found that cognitive behavior therapy in combination with medication is superior to cognitive behavior therapy alone when it comes to improving core symptoms, emotional symptom, self-esteem, and social performance in 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 work with the client to create an action plan specific to solving their issues. They will teach them a set of skills that are easy to learn and have a high probability of success. Charts are often utilized to track progress and to reward positive behavior. For children, this could be a daily journal that outlines all of the school activities or positive behaviors they need to accomplish and a system for recording and earning rewards. The therapists can also discuss the possibility that negative consequences might be imposed if a child fails to complete their tasks. This can be done in a sensitive and supportive way.
Metacognitive Therapy
A newer form of therapy, metacognitive therapy helps individuals change how they think. This type of therapy can be beneficial for people who suffer from various mental health problems like depression. It is a kind of cognitive behavior therapy that assists people in recognizing negative thought patterns and their effects on their emotions. This kind of therapy helps to develop psychological tools that can be adaptable and beneficial.
The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between metacognitive abilities and daily functioning in adults with ADHD. To this end we examined the relationship between the self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning to the indicators of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge, regulation of cognition, debugging, information management, and evaluation). The results showed that comprehensive knowledge was associated with daily functioning among adults suffering from ADHD however, it was not associated with regulation processes. The predictive ability of a model incorporating metacognition predictors was moderate, indicating that they could explain an important portion of the variance in daily functioning for adults with ADHD.
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on modifying dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs that perpetuate states of anxiety, rumination and attention fixation. MCT was developed by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model by Wells and Gerald Matthews. One case series has demonstrated the effectiveness of MCT in managing illness anxiety disorder, but it's still relatively in its infancy and more research is needed to determine its effectiveness for other disorders.
The purpose of this study was 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 isn't an effective treatment, but it can 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 issues of the client and learn how they can help their loved ones. It also assists them in finding ways to manage their own feelings of frustration and develop healthier communication skills. This type of counseling could also be used to address the underlying conditions, like addiction and depression, which are often seen as a result of ADHD.
The therapist will start with an intake session to better understand the family's views and determine if they are suitable for intervention with the family. This can be done in person or via the internet. The Therapist will explain to each participant the nature of treatment as well as the rules for family therapy.
A therapist who has had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD asks lots of questions to get a better understanding of the current symptoms as well as their history and the impact that they have on their family, work and personal relationships. They will also inquire whether any other mental health problems are present, for example depression or anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured kind 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 methods to deal with anger and stress. This is a temporary option that can be utilized in conjunction with other types psychotherapy.
Individual 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 strategies for managing stress and coping and teach you how to manage your time and money more effectively. treatments for adhd in adults can also address the comorbidity of disorders like depression and anxiety that are commonly associated with ADHD.