Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people with ADHD have comorbid conditions like major depression (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many people who suffer from depression do not respond well to medication and may benefit from therapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and increase levels of certain brain chemicals. Commonly prescribed stimulants include amphetamine, methylphenidate and similar drugs.
Medicines
Adults are able to take many different drugs that are prescribed for ADHD in children. The dosages and side effects can be different. The doctor will take a look at the medical history, the family health history, and other factors of the individual to determine which medicine is most appropriate for the patient.
The most commonly used kind of ADHD medication is stimulant. It is used to regulate levels of two chemical messengers in the brain called norepinephrine and dopamine. Stimulants like methylphenidate (also called Adderall), and dextroamphetamine boost the supply of neurotransmitters that help improve focus, reduce impulsivity and decrease aggression. These stimulants are available in different forms, including skin patches, liquids, and chewable tablets. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferable because they provide greater patient compliance and a longer lasting more smooth improvement in symptoms.
It is crucial to keep in mind that comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression may influence the response to ADHD medication. It is therefore recommended that these psychiatric issues be treated first before medication used as secondary measure. Medications that can be used to treat comorbid psychiatric disorders include atomoxetine, bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).).
Certain patients might experience a "rebound effect" where their ADHD symptoms become worse after stopping stimulant medications. In these cases a short trial of a low dose of stimulant medication could be beneficial.
Some people cannot tolerate stimulant medications or are not able to take them due to abuse of drugs or other health conditions, such as severe heart problems or hypertension. In these instances, non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These medications do not cause the same level of side effects as stimulants and carry a a lower risk for misuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is a great option for people with ADHD. It can help people with ADHD to improve their lives, deal with stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, or deal with issues at work or in relationships. It can also help co-existing mental disorders like depression and addiction disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as well as schema therapy. These therapies are based on belief that one's beliefs and thoughts affect how they behave, think and feel. CBT helps an individual identify negative thoughts and behaviors and then devise and implement strategies to change these. Meditation techniques are used in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help people focus on their thoughts and emotions as well as control their impulses and improve executive functioning. Schema therapy and other types of psychotherapy focused on the family history of a person could be beneficial for those with ADHD with significant secondary issues.
Psychotherapy, along with medication, can help with specific ADHD problems, such as difficulty completing schoolwork or interacting with others. It can also assist in forgetting important dates and responsibilities and making decisions that are impulsive and result in legal and financial problems. It can assist a person overcome issues of the underlying nature, such as depression and anxiety that may contribute to their ADHD symptoms.
Psychotherapy can help a person to develop healthy coping methods and reduce stress, such as exercise, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also provide support to a partner or family member who may be dealing with the effects of ADHD 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 is a type of psychotherapy that is focused on helping clients overcome their negative patterns of thinking. It utilizes skill-based dialogue with a skilled mental health professional (a therapist) to address the root causes of their symptoms. The aim of this therapy is to eliminate limitations and implement strategies for coping that align with the daily routine of the client.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT instruct clients to recognize unhelpful thoughts and help them develop skills to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can take a while. However, it is a viable option for those who do not receive enough relief from medication.
In the course of a recent RCT study, it was concluded that cognitive behavioral therapy combined with medication is superior to cognitive behavior therapy alone when it comes to improving core symptoms, emotional symptom self-esteem, and social functioning in adults with ADHD (Clarke and colleagues. 2017). CBT combined with methylphenidate can be particularly effective for people who suffer from more severe underlying issues.
Therapists who provide this kind of treatment work with clients to devise an action plan to address their specific problems. They usually teach clients a set of practical skills that are simple to implement and have a high chance of success. Typically, a chart system is used to track progress and reward positive behavior. For an infant, this could involve a daily report that outlines all of the school tasks or positive behavior they have to perform, as well as an approach to tracking and earning rewards. The therapists can also discuss the possibility that negative consequences could be inflicted upon a child who does not complete their task. adult adhd treatment can be done in a very sensitive and supportive way.
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 various mental health issues, such as depression. It's a kind of cognitive behavioral therapy that assists people recognize their negative thought patterns and how they impact their emotions. This kind of therapy can help them develop mental tools that are flexible and useful.
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between metacognitive skills and daily functioning among adults with ADHD. In order to do 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). The results indicated that comprehensive knowledge was associated with daily functioning among adults with ADHD, but not the processes that regulate. Metacognition predictors had moderate predictive power which suggests that they could explain an important amount of variations in the daily functioning of adults suffering from ADHD.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an treatment that focuses on changing dysfunctional metacognitive belief patterns that perpetuate states such as worry, rumination, and attention fixation. MCT was created by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model by Wells and Gerald Matthews. One case series has demonstrated the effectiveness of MCT in managing illness anxiety disorder, however it's still a relatively new concept and more research is required to determine its effectiveness for other disorders.
This study was created to assess the effectiveness of MCT in reducing symptoms of illness anxiety disorder, however it can be applied to a range of disorders and may even be more effective than other treatments. It is important to keep in mind that this is not a cure for ADHD, but it can be used as an alternative therapy.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapy therapist works with the entire family. Everyone is able to better understand the client's issues and learn how to help their loved ones. It also helps them cope with their anger and develop more effective communication skills. This kind of counseling can be used to tackle other comorbidities, such as addiction and depression, which are often seen with ADHD.
The therapist will begin with an intake session to get a better understanding of the family's view of the problem and evaluate their potential for intervention by the family. This can be done either in person or online. The therapist will discuss the nature of treatment with each client and lay out the rules and guidelines of family therapy.
A therapist who has experience in treating adults with ADHD will ask a lot of questions in order to gain insight into the client's current symptoms, their history, and their impacts on their work as well as their family and social life. They will also ask if any other mental issues are present, such depression or anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured type of counseling that teaches you how to control your behavior and change negative thinking patterns into positive ones. It focuses on improving self-esteem and self-control by teaching 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 talk therapy can help people suffering from ADHD overcome emotional baggage from longstanding patterns of failure, underachievement academic issues, frequent job changes and conflicts in relationships. It can help you learn ways to manage stress and cope and help you manage your time and money more effectively. It can also be used to tackle the comorbidities, like anxiety and mood disorders, which are often seen alongside ADHD.