Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many adults with ADHD suffer from comorbid disorders, like major depression (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many patients do not respond to medications for depression and may be able to benefit from psychotherapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and increase levels of certain brain chemicals. The most frequently prescribed stimulants include amphetamine, methylphenidate and similar drugs.
Medicines
Many medications that are used to treat ADHD in children can be used for adults. However treatment for adhd adults differ and the drugs can cause adverse effects that aren't typical of children. The doctor will take a look at the medical history, family health history and other conditions of an individual to determine which medication is the best for them.
The most common ADHD medication is a stimulant. It works by altering the levels of norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain. Stimulants such as methylphenidate or dextro-amphe (commonly known as Adderall) increase the amount of these neurotransmitters. They aid in improving focus and reducing impulsivity and aggression. These stimulants are available in different forms, such as skin patches, liquids and chewable tablets. These stimulants that last longer are popular due to their improved patient compliance, as well as more consistent, long-lasting improvement in symptoms.
It is important to be aware that comorbid conditions like anxiety or depression may influence the response to ADHD medication. Therefore, it is recommended that psychiatric disorders be treated first, with medications be used as a secondary measure. The drugs that can be used for comorbidity disorders include atomoxetine (Bupropion) tricyclic antidepressants and bupropion (Wilens, 2004).
Some patients may experience a "rebound" effect where they experience an increase in ADHD symptoms after stopping stimulant medication. In these instances, a brief trial of a low dosage of stimulant medication can be beneficial.
Some people are unable to take stimulant medications or take it because of drug misuse or other health issues like heart or hypertension problems that are severe. In these cases, nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These drugs don't have the same adverse effects as stimulants, and they are less likely to be misused or misused.
Psychotherapy
People suffering from ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help people with ADHD to improve their lives, manage stress and anxiety, manage conflicts, or cope with problems at work or in relationships. It can also help with co-existing mental illnesses such as depression and substance abuse disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as well as schema therapy. These therapies are based on the belief that one's beliefs and thoughts influence how they behave, think and feel. CBT assists a person to identify negative behaviors and thinking patterns, then develops and implements positive strategies to change these patterns. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy utilizes techniques of meditation to teach people how to concentrate on their emotions and thoughts, manage their impulses and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy, and other forms psychotherapy that focus on the family history of a person, may be helpful for those suffering from ADHD.
In addition to medication psychotherapy can also help with the specific issues that arise from ADHD problems, like having trouble keeping up with schoolwork, resolving conflicts and getting along with others, forgetting 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 anxiety and depression that could be contributing to their ADHD symptoms.
Psychotherapy can help someone find healthy coping skills and reduce stress through exercise, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to a partner or family member who is struggling with the effects of ADHD on 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)
CBT is a type of psychotherapy which focuses on helping clients to change their negative thoughts. It involves a dialog based on skill with a mental health professional to address the root reason for the symptoms. The aim of this treatment is to correct limitations and implement strategies for coping that align with the daily routine of the client.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT teach clients how to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and assist them to build the skills to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can take some time. However, it's a good option for adults who do not receive enough relief from their medication.
In an upcoming 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 the core symptoms, emotional symptom, self-esteem, and social performance in adults with ADHD (Clarke and co. 2017). CBT coupled with methylphenidate could be particularly effective for people with more serious underlying issues.
Therapists who provide this type of treatment work with their clients to develop 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 high probability of success. A chart system is often utilized to track progress and reward positive behaviour. This could include an everyday report for children that details the tasks they are required to complete at school, or the positive behaviors that need to be exhibited, and an approach to recording and earning rewards. Therapists can also talk about the possibility that negative consequences may be introduced when a child isn't able to finish their work. This can be done in a very sensitive and calming manner.
Metacognitive Therapy
A newer type of therapy, metacognitive therapy, assists individuals in changing how they think. This kind of therapy is effective for those with a variety of mental health problems which include depression. It is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy which assists people in recognizing negative thought patterns and their impact on their emotions. This type of therapy helps individuals develop mental tools that are adaptable and beneficial.
This study aimed to examine the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning among adults suffering from ADHD. To accomplish this, we evaluated the self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning to the indicators of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge as well as regulation of cognition debugging, information management and evaluation). The results indicated that comprehensive knowledge was linked to daily functioning among adults suffering from ADHD but not with regulatory processes. Metacognition predictors had moderate predictive power which indicates that they can be the cause of significant variation in the daily functioning of people with 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. Adrian Wells developed MCT based on the model of information processing created by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been proven to be effective in treating anxiety disorder. However, it's still an in-development treatment and more research is needed to determine if it can aid in other disorders.
This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of MCT to reduce symptoms of illness anxiety disorder. However it is also able to treat various disorders and could be more effective than any other therapy. This is not a cure, but can be employed to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy the therapy therapist works with the entire family. This allows everyone to understand the client's problems and to understand how to help their loved one more effectively. It also helps them deal with their frustrations and build more effective communication skills. This type of counseling could also be used to address the underlying conditions, like addiction and depression which are frequently associated as a result of ADHD.
The therapist will begin with an intake session in order to gain an understanding of the family's perspective of the problem and evaluate their potential for intervention by the family. This can be done online or in person. The Therapist will discuss the nature of the therapy with each client and lay out the do's and don'ts of family therapy.
A therapist with experience treating adults with ADHD will ask a variety of questions to gain an insight into the client's current symptoms, their past and their impacts on their work as well as their family and social life. They will also ask if there are any other mental health issues that are present like anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an organized form of counseling that helps you change your negative thoughts patterns and control your behavior. It is focused on improving your self-esteem and self-control by teaching strategies to manage anger and stress. It is a treatment option for short-term use that can be combined with other types of psychotherapy.
Individual therapy can help people with ADHD to deal with the emotional baggage that comes from failing and underachievement. It can also help them deal with relationship conflicts as well as job changes and academic difficulties. It can teach strategies for coping with stress and stress reduction, and how to manage your financial and time management. It can also address comorbid disorders such as depression and anxiety that are commonly associated with ADHD.