Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many adults with ADHD also suffer from comorbid conditions such as major depression (Kessler and colleagues 2006). Many patients are not responsive to depression medications and may benefit from psychotherapy.
Medications that most effectively improve core symptoms of ADHD seem to boost and regulate levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are amphetamine, methylphenidate, and similar drugs.
Medicines
Adults can take a variety of medications to treat ADHD in children. The dosages and side effects are different. The doctor will examine the medical history, family health history, and other health conditions of the patient to determine which medication is most appropriate for the patient.
The most commonly used ADHD medication is a stimulant. It works by altering the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Stimulants like methylphenidate (also known as Adderall) and dextroamphetamine boost the supply of neurotransmitters, which help improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and decrease aggression. They are available in a variety of forms like chewable tablets, liquids, and skin patches. These long-acting stimulants are preferred as they lead to better patient compliance and a smoother, longer-lasting improvement in symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that comorbidities like anxiety and depression may affect the response to ADHD medications. It is therefore recommended that psychiatric disorders be treated first before medication used as secondary measure. The medications that can be utilized for comorbidity disorders include atomoxetine (Bupropion), tricyclic antidepressants and bupropion (Wilens, 2004).
Certain patients may experience some patients may experience a "rebound" effect where they experience an increase in ADHD symptoms after discontinuing stimulant medications. In these instances it is possible to try a short-term trial of an atypical stimulant drug could be helpful.
Some people cannot tolerate stimulant medications or are unable to take them due to addiction or other health conditions, for example, heart problems that are severe or hypertension. In these situations, nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine or viloxazine can be effective. These medications don't cause the same high rates of side effects as stimulants and have a lower risk for misuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
People suffering from ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help them develop skills to improve their life to manage anxiety and stress, work out conflicts, and manage problems in relationships or at work. It can also aid those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing such as depression and substance use disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as well as schema therapy. These therapies are based upon the idea that thoughts and beliefs influence how someone is feeling, thinks and behaves. CBT assists a person to recognize negative behaviors and thinking patterns, and then develops and implements positive strategies to alter these patterns. Meditation techniques are used in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help someone concentrate on their thoughts and emotions as well as control their impulses and improve executive functioning. Schema therapy and other forms of psychotherapy focused on a person's family history could be beneficial for those who suffer from ADHD who suffer from significant secondary issues.
Psychotherapy, in addition to medication, can help with specific ADHD issues, like difficulties with schoolwork or interacting with others. It can also help in forgetting important dates and obligations and making decisions that are impulsive and result in legal and financial problems. It can help a person overcome the root issues like depression and anxiety that may contribute to their ADHD symptoms.
Psychotherapy can help people discover healthy ways to cope and reduce stress. For example, exercise, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also provide support to an individual in the family or with a partner who is dealing with the effects ADHD affects their relationship. Marriage and family therapy can help families and couples communicate better and understand how to manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of psychotherapy that is focused on helping clients to change their negative thoughts. It uses skill-based dialogue with a trained mental health professional (a therapist) to address the root causes of their symptoms. This therapy aims to help clients overcome difficulties and develop coping skills that are appropriate to their everyday lives.
In addition, they teach clients to recognize unhelpful thoughts, therapists who specialize in adult ADHD CBT help them develop abilities that enable them to replace negative thoughts with more productive ones. This process can take a while. However, it's a good option for those who aren't getting enough relief from their medication.
A recent RCT study has found that when combined with medication, CBT is superior to CBT on its own in reducing core symptoms, emotional symptoms as well as self-esteem and social functioning in adults with ADHD (Clarke and colleagues. 2017). The combination of CBT and methylphenidate is especially effective for those who have more severe underlying issues.
The therapists who provide this kind of treatment usually work with the client to develop a detailed action plan for solving their issues. They train them in a series of skills that are easy to learn and have a high chance of success. Often a chart system is used to track the progress of a child and reward positive behaviour. This could include an everyday report for children that details the tasks they are required to finish at school or the positive behavior that must be displayed, as well as an organized system for tracking and earning rewards. The therapists may also consider introducing negative consequences when the child fails to complete their work. This can be done with sensitivity and encouragement.
Metacognitive Therapy
A newer type of therapy, metacognitive therapy helps individuals change how they think. This kind of treatment is effective for those with a variety of mental health issues which include depression. treat adhd is a kind of cognitive behavioral therapy which helps people learn to recognize negative thought patterns and their effects on their emotions. This kind of therapy can also help them acquire psychological tools that are adaptable and useful.
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between metacognitive skills and daily functioning in adults with ADHD. To accomplish this we compared self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning with predictors of Metacognition (comprehensive knowledge, regulation of Cognition, Debugging Information Management and Evaluation). It was discovered that the comprehensive knowledge of people was linked to daily functioning in adults with ADHD but that regulatory processes were not. The predictors of metacognition had moderate predictive power, which indicates that they can be the cause of significant variations in the daily functioning of adults suffering from ADHD.
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a form of psychotherapy which focuses on changing dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs that perpetuate states of worry, rumination and attention fixation. MCT was created by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model created by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been proven to be effective in treating anxiety disorder. However, it is still a relatively new treatment and further research is needed to determine if it could aid in other disorders.
This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of MCT to reduce symptoms of illness anxiety disorder. However it could be used to treat a variety of disorders and is more effective than any other treatment. It's important to keep in mind that this is not an effective treatment for ADHD, but it can be utilized as an adjunctive therapy.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapist collaborates with all family members. Everyone is able to better understand the client's issues and learn to assist their loved ones. It also helps them find ways to deal with their own frustrations and develop healthier communication skills. This kind of counseling can be utilized to treat the underlying conditions, like depression and substance abuse which are frequently associated as a result of ADHD.
The therapist will start with an intake session in order to better understand the family's perception and determine whether they are suitable for family intervention. This can be conducted online or in person. The counselor will explain to each participant the nature of treatment and the do's & don'ts for family therapy.
A therapist who has experience in treating adults with ADHD will ask a lot of questions to gain insight into the client's current symptoms, their past and their impacts on their work and family life as well as relationships. They will also ask whether there are other mental health issues that are present like depression or anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of counseling that is structured that teaches you how to change your negative thinking patterns and manage your behavior. It concentrates on improving self-esteem and self-control by teaching you techniques to cope with anger and stress. This is a short-term solution that can be used in conjunction with other forms of psychotherapy.
Individual therapy can help those with ADHD deal with emotional baggage from longstanding patterns of underachievement and failure, academic difficulties, frequent job changes and relationship conflict. It can teach you stress reduction and coping techniques and also how to better manage your time and finances. It can also be used to address the comorbidities, like mood and anxiety disorders, which are often seen alongside ADHD.