Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people with ADHD have comorbid conditions like major depression (Kessler et al 2006). Many patients are not responsive to depression medications and may benefit from psychotherapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and increase levels of certain brain chemicals. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are amphetamine, methylphenidate and similar medications.
Medicines
Adults can take a variety of medications to treat ADHD in children. However, the dosages are different and the drugs may cause negative side effects that aren't typical of children. A doctor will look at the individual's medical history, family history and other health conditions to determine which medicine 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. Stimulants such as methylphenidate (also known as Adderall), and dextroamphetamine enhance the supply of neurotransmitters that aid in improving focus, reduce impulsivity, and decrease aggression. These stimulants are available in various forms, including liquids, skin patches and chewable tablets. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferred because they provide better patient compliance and longer lasting, smoother improvement of symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression may alter the effectiveness of ADHD medication. Therefore it is recommended that these mental health issues be treated first, and then medication utilized as a secondary measure. Medications that can be used to treat comorbid mood disorders include atomoxetine, bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).
Certain patients might experience an "rebound effect" in which their ADHD symptoms worsen after discontinuing stimulant medication. In these instances it is possible to try a short-term trial of the use of a low dose stimulant medication could be beneficial.
Certain people are not able to take stimulant medicines or are unable to take them due to drug abuse or other health conditions such as severe heart problems or hypertension. In these situations, non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These medications don't cause the same amount of adverse effects as stimulants, and are lower risks of misuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
People suffering from ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help them learn techniques to improve their lives to manage stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, and cope with problems in relationships and at work. It can also assist with co-occurring mental illnesses like depression and substance abuse disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), mind-body cognitive therapy, as well as schema therapy. These therapies are based on notion that a person's beliefs and attitudes affect how they behave, think and feel. CBT helps people recognize negative behavior and thought patterns, and then develops and implements positive strategies to alter them. Meditation techniques are employed in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help people focus on their thoughts and emotions, control impulses, and improve executive functioning. Schema therapy, as well as other forms of psychotherapy focused on the family history of a person may be useful for people who suffer from ADHD with significant secondary issues.
In addition to medications psychotherapy can assist in addressing the specific issues that arise from ADHD like difficulty staying on track with schoolwork, resolving conflicts, getting along with others, ignoring important dates or responsibilities as well as impulsive decisions that lead to financial or legal troubles. Psychotherapy can help someone overcome underlying issues such as anxiety and depression that could be contributing to their ADHD symptoms.
Psychotherapy can assist a person develop healthy coping strategies and reduce stress, for example exercises, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to a partner or family member who may be dealing with the effects of ADHD on their relationship. Marriage and family therapy can help couples and families communicate better and learn how to manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a form of psychotherapy which focuses on changing the negative patterns of thinking that clients have. It involves a skill-based dialog with an expert in mental health to identify the root reason for the symptoms. This therapy aims to help clients overcome impairments and develop coping skills that are appropriate to their everyday lives.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT show clients to recognize harmful thoughts and help them build the skills to replace them with more productive thoughts. The process can be long. It is a viable option for those who cannot feel enough relief from their medications.
A recent RCT study has found that when combined with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy on its own in reducing the severity of the core symptoms, emotional symptoms as well as self-esteem and social functioning of adults with ADHD (Clarke and colleagues. 2017). CBT coupled with methylphenidate could be particularly effective for those with more severe underlying issues.
Therapists who provide this type of treatment work with their clients to create an action plan that addresses the specific issues they face. They usually teach clients a set of practical skills that are simple to implement and have a good chance of being successful. Typically, a chart system is used to track progress and reward positive behaviour. This could be an everyday report for a child that outlines the tasks they are required to complete in school or the positive behaviors that need to be exhibited, and a system of recording and rewarding. treatments for adhd in adults may consider the introduction of negative consequences if a child does not complete their tasks. This can be done in a sensitive and supportive manner.
Metacognitive Therapy
A newer form of therapy, metacognitive therapy helps individuals change how they think. This type of treatment can be effective for people who suffer from a variety of mental health issues, including depression. It's a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps people recognize their negative thoughts and how they impact their moods. This type of therapy helps to develop mental tools that are versatile and useful.
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between metacognitive abilities and daily functioning in adults suffering from ADHD. To accomplish this we compared self- and informant-rated daily functioning impairments with predictors of Metacognition (comprehensive Knowledge, Regulation of Cognition, Debugging Information Management, and Evaluation). It was observed that comprehensive knowledge was connected to daily functioning in adults with ADHD but that the processes of regulation were not. The predictive power of a model with metacognition predictors was moderate, suggesting that they can explain a significant amount of the variance in daily functioning of people with ADHD.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an intervention that focuses on transforming metacognitive beliefs that are dysfunctional and perpetuate states such as worry, rumination and attention fixation. MCT was developed by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model created by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorder. However, it is still an in-development treatment and more research will be needed to determine whether it can help with other disorders.
This study was designed to determine the efficacy of MCT in the reduction of symptoms of illness anxiety disorder, however it can be applied to a range of disorders and may even be more effective than other therapies. It's important to keep in mind that this is not a cure for ADHD but it could be utilized as an adjunctive therapy.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapist collaborates with all members of the family. All members can better understand the client's issues and learn how to help their loved ones. It also helps them find ways to cope with their own feelings of frustration and improve their communication skills. This type of counseling can also be used to address other comorbidities, such as depression and substance abuse which are frequently associated as a result of ADHD.
The therapist will start with an intake session in order to gain a clearer understanding of the family's perception of the problem and evaluate their potential for intervention by the family. This can be done in person or online. The counselor will go over the details of the treatment with each individual and set out the guidelines and rules of family therapy.
A therapist who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD will ask a variety of questions in order to gain insight into the client's current symptoms, their history and their impact on their work, family life and relationships. They will also ask if there are any other mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of counseling that helps you learn how to control your behavior and change negative thinking patterns to positive ones. It is focused on improving your self-esteem and self-control by teaching you techniques to cope with anxiety and stress. It is a short-term treatment option that can be paired with other forms of psychotherapy.
Individual talk therapy can help those with ADHD overcome emotional trauma from a long-running pattern of failure, underachievement, academic difficulties as well as frequent job changes and conflicts in relationships. add treatment for adults can teach ways to reduce stress and cope, and how to manage your finances and time. It can also be used to tackle other comorbid conditions like mood and anxiety disorders, that are often associated with ADHD.