Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people with ADHD have comorbid conditions such as major depression (Kessler and co., 2006). Many people who suffer from depression aren't able to take medications and may benefit from therapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and boost levels of certain brain chemicals. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are commonly prescribed.
add in adults treatment of the medications used to treat ADHD in children can also be used on adults. However the dosages are different and the drugs can cause side effects that are not common in children. The doctor will examine the medical history, the family health history, and other medical conditions of an individual to determine which drug is most appropriate for the patient.
The most common 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. Stimulants such as methylphenidate or dextro-amphe (commonly known as Adderall) boost the supply of these neurotransmitters. They can improve focus and decrease impulsivity and aggression. These stimulants are available in various forms, including skin patches, liquids and chewable tablets. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferred because they provide more patient compliance and lasting, smoother improvement of symptoms.
It is crucial to keep in mind that co-existing conditions like anxiety and depression may influence the response to ADHD medication. Therefore, it is recommended that these psychiatric issues be treated first and medication used as a secondary measure. Medications that are used to treat comorbid mood disorders include atomoxetine and bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).
Some patients may experience some patients may experience a "rebound" effect in which they experience worsening of ADHD symptoms after discontinuing stimulant medications. In these instances it is possible to try a short-term trial of a low-dose stimulant medication may prove beneficial.
Certain people are not able to take stimulant medications or are not able to take them due to addiction or other health issues, such as severe heart problems or hypertension. In these instances, non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and viloxazine may be beneficial. These medications do not cause the same amount of adverse effects as stimulants and have lower risks of abuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
People suffering from ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help them learn skills to improve their life to manage anxiety and stress, work out conflicts, and deal with issues in relationships or at work. It can also aid in the treatment of co-existing mental disorders like addiction and depression disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), mind-body cognitive therapy, as well as schema therapy. These therapies are based upon the idea that beliefs and thoughts can influence how someone feels, thinks and acts. CBT helps people recognize negative behaviors and thinking patterns, then develops and implements strategies to alter them. Meditation techniques are employed in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help someone focus on their emotions and thoughts, control impulses, and improve executive functioning. Schema therapy, as well as other forms of psychotherapy that concentrate on the family history of a person, may be helpful for those suffering from ADHD.
Psychotherapy, as well as medication, can help with specific ADHD issues, like difficulty completing schoolwork or interacting with others. It can also assist in avoiding important dates and obligations and making impulsive choices that could lead to legal and financial issues. It can also help a person explore and resolve issues that could contribute to their ADHD symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.
Psychotherapy can assist people in finding healthy ways to cope and reduce stress. For example exercise, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to a family member or partner who is dealing with the effects ADHD has on their relationship. Therapy for families and marriage helps families and couples learn to communicate better and manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a kind of psychotherapy that is focused on helping clients change their negative thoughts. It involves a dialogue based on skills with a mental health professional to identify the root reason for the symptoms. This treatment is designed to help patients overcome limitations and develop coping strategies that are in line with their daily lives.
In addition to educating clients to recognize unhelpful thoughts, therapists who specialize in adult ADHD CBT assist them in developing skills that allow them to replace negative thoughts with more productive ones. This process can take some time. However, it's a good alternative for adults who aren't getting enough relief from medications.
A recent RCT study concluded that when paired with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy on its own in improving core symptoms, emotional symptoms, self-esteem and social functioning in adults with ADHD (Clarke et al. 2017). The combination of CBT and methylphenidate is especially effective for those who have more severe underlying issues.
Therapists who provide this type of treatment work with their clients to develop an action plan that addresses their specific issues. They typically teach them a series of practical skills that are simple to implement and have a high chance of being successful. Typically, a chart system is used to track the progress of a child and reward positive behaviour. For children, this could be a daily journal that lists all the in-school tasks or positive behavior they must perform and a system for tracking and earning rewards. Therapists can also consider introducing negative consequences when children fail to complete their tasks. This can be done with sensitivity and support.
Metacognitive Therapy
A newer form of therapy, metacognitive therapy helps people change the way they think. This type of therapy can be beneficial for those who suffer from a range of mental health problems like depression. It's a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps people recognize their negative thinking patterns and how they affect their emotions. This type of therapy can assist them in acquiring psychological tools that are adaptable and effective.
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between metacognitive abilities and daily functioning among adults suffering from ADHD. To accomplish this we compared self and informant-rated daily functioning impairments with the predictors of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge, regulation of Cognition, Debugging, Information Management, and Evaluation). It was observed that the comprehensive knowledge of people was linked to daily functioning in adults with ADHD but that the processes of regulation were not. Metacognition predictors had moderate predictive power, which suggests that they could explain an important amount of variations in the daily functioning of adults with ADHD.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an treatment which focuses on reversing dysfunctional metacognitive belief patterns that perpetuate states such as worry, rumination, or attention fixation. Adrian Wells developed MCT based on the model of information processing developed by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, it is still an in-development treatment and further research will be needed to determine if it could help with other disorders.
This study was created to assess the effectiveness of MCT to treat symptoms of illness anxiety disorder. However, it can be used to treat a variety disorders and may be more effective than any other therapy. This is not a cure, but it could be utilized to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapy therapist works with the entire family. Everyone can gain a better understanding of the client's needs and learn how to help their loved ones. It also helps them deal with their anger and develop more effective communication skills. Additionally, how to treat adhd of counseling can be helpful in addressing comorbid conditions such as depression or alcohol abuse, which are commonly found in conjunction with ADHD.
The therapist will begin with an intake session in order to better understand the family's perspective and determine if they are suitable for intervention with the family. This can be done in person or online. The Therapist will explain to each client the nature of treatment as well as the rules for family therapy.
A therapist with experience treating adults with ADHD will ask a variety of questions to gain an understanding of the client's present symptoms, their history, and their impact on their work as well as their family and social life. They will also ask if there are any other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of counseling that teaches you how to control your behavior and change negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. It focuses on boosting self-esteem and self-control by teaching you how to manage stress and anger. It is a short-term treatment that can be combined with other forms of psychotherapy.
Individual talk therapy can help those with ADHD deal with emotional baggage from longstanding patterns of underachievement, failure academic issues frequent job changes, and conflict in relationships. It can teach you coping and stress reduction techniques and teach you how to manage your time and money more efficiently. It can also address problems that are comorbid, such as anxiety and mood disorders that are commonly associated with ADHD.