Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people suffering from ADHD suffer from comorbid disorders, like major depression (Kessler and co., 2006). Many people who suffer from depression aren't able to take medications and may benefit from therapy.
Treatments that are most effective in reducing the most fundamental symptoms of ADHD are those that boost and balance levels of specific neurotransmitters in the brain. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are amphetamine, methylphenidate, and similar medications.
Medicines
Many of the medications used to treat ADHD in children can be used on adults. The dosages and effects are different. The doctor will examine 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 popular type of ADHD medication is stimulant and works by adjusting levels of two chemical messengers within the brain, namely norepinephrine and dopamine. The stimulants like methylphenidate (also known as Adderall) and dextroamphetamine enhance the supply of neurotransmitters, which help improve concentration, decrease impulsivity, and decrease aggression. They come in various forms such as chewable tablets, liquids, and skin patches. These long-acting stimulants are favored due to their improved patient compliance, and an easier, longer-lasting improvement of symptoms.
It is important to be aware that co-occurring disorders like depression or anxiety disorders can affect the response to ADHD medication. Therefore, it is recommended that disorders be treated first before medication is used as a secondary measure. Some medications that are used to treat comorbid psychiatric disorders include bupropion, atomoxetine and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).
Some patients may exhibit an "rebound" effect where they experience a worsening of ADHD symptoms after discontinuing stimulant medications. In these instances it is possible to try a short-term trial of the use of a low dose stimulant medication could be helpful.
Some people are unable to tolerate 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 cases, nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These medications don't cause the same amount of adverse effects as stimulants and have lower risks of misuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is a great option for those with ADHD. It can help them learn techniques to improve their lives to manage anxiety and stress, resolve conflicts, and cope with problems in relationships and at work. It can also aid with co-occurring mental illnesses such as depression and substance abuse disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), mind-body cognitive therapy, as well as schema therapy. These treatments are based on the notion that a person's beliefs and thoughts influence how they feel, think and act. CBT helps an individual identify negative behaviors and thought patterns and then devise and implement positive strategies to alter these. The use of meditation techniques in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help a person focus on their emotions and thoughts to control their impulses and improve executive functioning. Schema therapy, along with other forms of psychotherapy that focus on a person’s family history could be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD.
In addition to medications psychotherapy can assist in addressing the specific problems caused by ADHD like difficulty staying on track with schoolwork, resolving conflicts, getting along with others, ignoring important dates or obligations and making impulsive choices that lead to legal or financial problems. It can help a person overcome issues of the underlying nature, such as depression and anxiety that may be contributing to their ADHD symptoms.
Psychotherapy can help people discover healthy coping techniques and reduce stress. For instance exercising, improving sleep and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to an individual in the family or with a spouse who is struggling with the negative effects ADHD affects 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 focuses on helping clients change their negative thoughts. It employs dialogue based on skill with a skilled mental health professional (a therapist) to address the root causes of their symptoms. The aim of this treatment is to eliminate the limitations and implement coping strategies that align with the daily routine of the client.
In addition, they teach clients to recognize harmful thoughts, therapists who specialize in adult ADHD CBT help them develop skills that allow clients to replace their negative thoughts with more productive ones. This process can take some time. It is a viable option for those who cannot receive enough relief from their medication.
In a recent RCT study, it was concluded that cognitive behavioral therapy paired with medication is superior to cognitive behavior therapy on its own when it comes to improving the core symptoms, emotional symptom, self-esteem and social functioning for adults with ADHD (Clarke, et al. 2017). The combination of CBT and methylphenidate is particularly beneficial for those suffering from more severe underlying problems.
The therapists who offer this type of treatment typically collaborate with the client to develop a detailed action plan for solving their issues. They will teach them a set of practical skills that are simple to master and have a high probability of success. Charts are often used to track progress and reward positive behaviors. This could be an everyday report for children that lists the tasks they have to complete in school or the positive behaviors that need to be exhibited, and an organized system for recording and rewarding rewards. treatments for adhd in adults may also consider creating negative consequences if the child fails to complete their work. This can be done with sensitivity and support.
Metacognitive Therapy
A newer type of therapy, metacognitive therapy assists individuals in changing how they think. This type of treatment is effective for those suffering from a range of mental health problems such as depression. It is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that assists people in recognizing negative thinking patterns and their impact on their moods. This kind of therapy can help individuals develop mental tools that are versatile and useful.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning in adults with ADHD. To accomplish this, we examined the relationship between self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning with indicators of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge and cognition regulation debugging, management of information, and evaluation). It was discovered that comprehensive knowledge was related to daily functioning in adults with ADHD but that regulatory processes were not. The predictive ability of a model incorporating predictors of metacognition was moderate, indicating that they can explain a significant amount of the variation in daily functioning for people with ADHD.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an treatment that focuses on transforming metacognitive beliefs that are dysfunctional and perpetuate states such as worry, rumination and attention fixation. Adrian Wells developed MCT based on an idea of information processing by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorder. However, it's still an emerging treatment, and further research will be needed to determine if it can help with other disorders.
This study was designed for evaluating the effectiveness of MCT to reduce symptoms of anxiety disorder. However it is also able to treat various disorders and is more effective than other treatment. It is important to keep it in mind that this is not a cure for ADHD however it can be used as an adjunctive therapy.
Family Therapy
In family therapy the therapist works with the whole family. This allows all members to understand the client's problems and to learn how they can support their loved one more effectively. It also assists them in finding ways to deal with their own frustrations and develop healthier communication skills. This kind of counseling can be utilized to treat other comorbidities, such as addiction and depression that are commonly associated as part of ADHD.
The therapist will commence with an intake session to get a clearer understanding of the family's view of the problem and assess their ability to intervene with the family. This can be done in person or via the internet. The counselor will explain to each client the purpose of therapy and the rules for family therapy.
A therapist with experience in treating adults with ADHD will ask a variety of questions to gain an understanding of the client's current symptoms, their past and their impacts on their work and family life as well as relationships. They will also inquire whether there are other mental health issues that are present like anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured kind of counseling that teaches you how to control your behavior and change negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. It is focused on improving self-esteem and self-control by teaching you techniques to cope with anger and stress. This is a temporary option that can be utilized alongside other types of psychotherapy.
Individual therapy can help those with ADHD overcome emotional trauma from a long-running pattern of underachievement and failure academic struggles frequent job changes, and conflict 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, that are often associated with ADHD.