Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many adults suffering from ADHD also suffer from comorbid conditions like major depression (Kessler and colleagues 2006). Many patients are not responsive to medications for depression and may be able to benefit from psychotherapy.
The most effective medications to treat core symptoms of ADHD appear to increase and regulate levels of certain neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are frequently prescribed.
Medicines
Many of the medications used to treat ADHD in children can also be used for adults. However, the dosages are different and the drugs may cause side effects that are not typical of children. The doctor will examine the medical history, family health history, and other medical health conditions of the patient to determine which drug is most appropriate for the patient.
The most commonly used ADHD medication is a stimulant. It works by altering the levels of norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain. Stimulants like methylphenidate (also known as Adderall), and dextroamphetamine enhance the supply of neurotransmitters, which help improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and reduce aggression. They come in various forms, including chewable tablets, liquids and skin patches. These long-acting stimulants are preferred as they lead to better patient compliance, and an easier, longer-lasting improvement in symptoms.
It is crucial to keep in mind that co-existing conditions like anxiety and depression may alter the effectiveness of ADHD medication. Therefore, it is recommended that mental health issues be treated first and medication used as a second measure. Some medications that can be used to treat comorbid mood disorders include bupropion, atomoxetine and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).).
Some patients may experience an "rebound" effect, where they experience an increase in ADHD symptoms after discontinuing stimulant medications. In these cases an experiment of a short duration with a low-dose stimulant medication may be helpful.
Some people are unable to tolerate stimulant drugs or are unable to take them due to drug abuse or other health conditions, like heart issues that are severe or hypertension. In these cases, nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These medications don't cause the same level of side effects as stimulants and carry a less risk of misuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
People with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help them gain techniques to improve their lives to manage stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, and cope with issues in relationships or at work. It can also assist with those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing, like addiction and depression disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as well as schema therapy. These therapies are based on the idea that a person's beliefs and thoughts influence how they think, feel and behave. CBT assists a person to identify negative behaviors and thinking patterns, and then develops and implements strategies to alter these patterns. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy utilizes techniques for meditation to teach people how to concentrate on their emotions and thoughts, manage their impulses and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy, along with other forms psychotherapy that focus on the family history of a person can be beneficial for people with ADHD.
In addition to medicines, psychotherapy can help address the particular issues caused by ADHD like difficulty keeping up with schoolwork, resolving conflicts and being able to get along with others, ignoring important dates or responsibilities, and impulsive decisions that can lead to legal or financial issues. It can also assist a person explore and overcome issues that could be contributing to their ADHD symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.
add treatments for adults can help a person develop healthy coping strategies and reduce stress, for example exercise, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also provide support to the family member or spouse who is struggling with the 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 is a kind of psychotherapy that is focused on transforming the patterns of negative thinking of the client. It uses skill-based dialogue with a skilled mental health professional (a therapist) to address the underlying causes of their symptoms. The aim of this therapy is to correct limitations and implement strategies for coping that fit with the client's daily life.
In addition, they teach clients how to identify unhelpful thoughts, those who specialize in adult ADHD CBT aid them in developing skills that allow them to replace unhelpful thinking with more productive ones. This process can take some time. But it is an effective option for those who aren't getting enough relief from medication.
In the course of a recent RCT, it was found that cognitive behavior therapy in combination with medication is superior to cognitive behavior therapy alone in terms of improving the core symptoms, emotional symptom self-esteem, and social functioning in adults with ADHD (Clarke and co. 2017). CBT when combined with methylphenidate may be particularly effective for those who suffer from more severe underlying problems.
Therapists who provide this kind of treatment work with their clients to devise an action plan to address their specific problems. They will teach them a set of practical skills that are easy to master and have a good chance of success. Charts are typically used to track progress and to reward positive behavior. This could be the daily report of children that lists the tasks they have to complete in school or the positive behaviors to be displayed, as well as a system of recording and rewarding rewards. The therapists can also discuss the possibility that negative consequences could be introduced when a child fails to complete their tasks. This can be done with care and support.
Metacognitive Therapy
A newer type of therapy, metacognitive therapy, helps people change the way they think. This kind of therapy could be beneficial for those who suffer from a range of mental health problems like depression. It is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that assists people in recognizing negative thinking patterns and their effect on their moods. This kind of therapy can help individuals develop psychological tools that can be versatile and useful.
This study aimed to examine the relationship between metacognitive abilities and daily functioning in adults suffering from ADHD. To accomplish 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 showed that comprehensive knowledge was associated with daily functioning in adults with ADHD, but not the processes that regulate. The predictors of metacognition had moderate predictive power which suggests that they could explain a significant amount of variance in daily functioning of people with ADHD.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an intervention that focuses on changing dysfunctional metacognitive belief patterns that perpetuate states like worry, rumination, or attention fixation. Adrian Wells developed MCT based on the model of information processing created by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been shown to be effective in treating illness anxiety disorders. However, it is still an emerging treatment, and further research is required to determine if it can help with other disorders.
This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of MCT in decreasing symptoms of anxiety disorder, but it can be applied to a variety of disorders and could be more effective than other therapies. It is not an effective treatment, but it can be employed to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy the therapy therapist works with the entire family. This helps all family members be aware of the issues facing the client and learn how to support their loved ones better. It also helps them cope with their frustrations and develop better communication skills. Additionally, this kind of counseling is useful in addressing comorbid conditions such as depression or addiction to drugs, which are typically found in conjunction with ADHD.
The therapist will commence with an intake session to gain a clearer understanding of the family's view of the issue and determine their potential for intervention by the family. This can be done in person or online. The counselor will explain to each participant the purpose of therapy and the do's & don'ts for family therapy.
A therapist who has experience treating adults with ADHD asks a lot questions to get a better understanding of the current symptoms as well as their past and the impact they have on their family, work and personal relationships. They will also inquire whether there are any other mental health issues that are present, such as depression or anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of counseling that is structured that helps you change your negative patterns of thinking and to manage your behavior. It focuses on improving self-esteem and self control by educating you on how to cope with 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 deal with emotional baggage from longstanding patterns of failure, underachievement, academic difficulties, frequent job changes and conflict in relationships. It can teach stress reduction and coping techniques and also how to better manage your finances and time. It can also be used to tackle other comorbid conditions like anxiety and mood disorders which are often seen alongside ADHD.