Why We Why We Treatment Adult ADHD (And You Should Also!)

Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders

Many adults with ADHD suffer from comorbid disorders, such as major depression (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many sufferers do not respond to medications for depression and may benefit from psychotherapy.

The most effective medications to treat the symptoms of ADHD appear to increase and balance levels of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are frequently prescribed.

Medicines

Many medications that are used to treat ADHD in children can also be used for adults. However the dosages differ and the drugs may cause adverse effects that aren't common in children. The doctor will take a look at the medical history, family health history, and other health conditions of the patient to determine which drug is most appropriate for the patient.

The most popular kind of ADHD medication is a stimulant. It is used to regulate levels of two chemical messengers in the brain, norepinephrine as well as dopamine. The stimulants like methylphenidate (also called Adderall), and dextroamphetamine boost the supply of neurotransmitters that help improve concentration, decrease impulsivity, and decrease aggression. These stimulants are available in different forms, including skin patches, liquids and chewable tablets. These long-acting stimulants are preferred as they lead to better patient compliance, as well as a smoother, longer-lasting improvement of symptoms.

It is important to remember that comorbid disorders such as depression or anxiety disorders can affect the response to ADHD medication. Therefore, it is recommended that these psychiatric problems be treated first, and medication used as secondary measure. Medications that can be used to treat comorbid psychiatric disorders include atomoxetine, bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).).

Some patients may experience some patients may experience a "rebound" effect in which they experience an increase in ADHD symptoms after discontinuing stimulant medications. In these cases an experiment of a short duration with the use of a low dose stimulant medication could be helpful.

Some people cannot tolerate stimulant drugs or are unable to take them due to addiction or other health issues, like heart issues that are severe or hypertension. In these situations, non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These medications don't cause the same high rates of side effects as stimulants and have less risk of abuse and diversion.

Psychotherapy

People suffering from ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help them gain techniques to improve their lives, deal with anxiety and stress, resolve conflicts, and cope with problems in relationships and at work. It can also aid with co-occurring mental illnesses like depression and substance use disorders.

Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and schema therapy. These therapies are based on notion that a person's beliefs and thoughts influence how they feel, think and act. CBT assists a person to recognize negative behavior and thought patterns, and then formulates and implements positive strategies to alter them. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy utilizes meditation techniques to teach a person how to concentrate on their thoughts and emotions, control impulses, and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy and other types of psychotherapy that focus on the family history of a person could be beneficial for those with ADHD who suffer from significant secondary problems.

In addition to medicines, psychotherapy can help address the specific issues that arise from ADHD, such as trouble keeping up with schoolwork, resolving conflicts, being able to get together with others, losing important dates or obligations, and impulsive decisions that can lead to legal or financial issues. Psychotherapy can also help individuals to address and overcome issues that be contributing to their ADHD symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.

Psychotherapy can help someone develop healthy coping strategies and reduce stress, such as exercising, improving sleep and healthy eating habits. It can also provide support to a family member or partner who is dealing with the negative effects ADHD affects their relationship. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help families and couples learn to communicate better and manage ADHD symptoms together.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on helping clients to change their negative thoughts. It utilizes skill-based dialogue with a skilled 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 in line with their daily routines.

Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT teach clients to recognize harmful thinking patterns and assist them to build the skills to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can take a while. However, it is a viable alternative for adults who do not receive enough relief from their medication.

In a recent RCT study, it was concluded that cognitive behavioral therapy paired with medication is superior over cognitive behavior therapy by itself in terms of improving the core symptoms, emotional symptom, self-esteem, and social functioning in adults with ADHD (Clarke, et al. 2017). CBT coupled with methylphenidate could be particularly effective for people who have more serious underlying issues.

The therapists that provide this treatment usually work with the client to create an action plan that is specific to solving their issues. They typically teach them a series of practical skills that are easy to apply and have a high chance of being successful. Often a chart system is utilized to track progress and reward positive behavior. For children, this could include a daily report that lists all the school tasks or positive behavior they need to accomplish and a system for tracking and earning rewards. Therapists can also consider creating negative consequences if the child fails to complete their tasks. This can be done with sensitivity and encouragement.

Metacognitive Therapy

A more recent form of therapy, metacognitive therapy helps people change the way they think. This kind of therapy could be beneficial to those who suffer from a variety mental health issues like depression. It's a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps people to identify their negative thought patterns and how they affect their emotions. This kind of therapy can also help them acquire psychological tools that are adaptable and useful.

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning among adults with ADHD. To accomplish this we evaluated self- and informant-rated deficits in daily functioning with predictors of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge, regulation of cognition, debugging, management of information, and evaluation). It was found that comprehensive knowledge was related to daily functioning in adults with ADHD however, the regulatory processes were not. Metacognition predictors had moderate predictive power which suggests that they could be the cause of significant variation in the daily functioning of adults suffering from ADHD.

Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a psychotherapy that focuses on modifying metacognitive beliefs that are dysfunctional and perpetuate states of worry or rumination as well as attention fixation. MCT was created by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been proven to be effective in treating anxiety disorder. However, it's still a relatively new treatment and more research is needed to determine whether it can help with other disorders.

This study was created to assess the effectiveness of MCT to reduce symptoms of anxiety disorder. However it could be used to treat a variety of disorders and may be more effective than any other treatment. It's important to keep in mind that this isn't a cure for ADHD but it could be used as an alternative therapy.

Family Therapy

In family therapy, the therapist works with all members of the family. Everyone can gain a better understanding of the client's issues and learn to assist their loved ones. It also helps them cope with their frustrations and build more effective communication skills. This type of counseling could be utilized to treat the underlying conditions, like depression and substance abuse, which are often seen as part of ADHD.

The therapist will begin with an intake session to get an understanding of the family's perception of the problem and evaluate their potential for intervention by the family. This can be conducted online or in person. The therapist will discuss the nature of the treatment with each individual and set out the rules and guidelines of family therapy.

A therapist who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD will ask a lot of questions to gain an understanding of the client's current symptoms, their history and their impacts on their work as well as their family and social life.  adhd treatment for adults  will also ask whether any other mental issues are present, such depression or anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured kind of counseling that teaches you how to control your behavior and change negative thinking patterns into positive ones. It focuses on improving your self esteem and self-control by teaching you strategies to manage anxiety and stress. This is a short-term solution that can be utilized alongside other types of psychotherapy.

Individual talk therapy can help people suffering from ADHD deal with emotional burdens resulting from long-standing patterns of failure, underachievement academic struggles frequent job changes, and conflict in relationships. It can teach stress reduction and coping techniques, and how to better manage your finances and time. It can also address the comorbidity of disorders like depression and anxiety that are commonly associated as a result of ADHD.