Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people with ADHD suffer from comorbid disorders, such as major depression (Kessler and co., 2006). Many patients who are depressed are not able to respond well to medication and may get better results from therapy.
Medications that most effectively improve the most fundamental symptoms of ADHD appear to increase and balance levels of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Commonly prescribed stimulants include methylphenidate, amphetamine and other similar drugs.
Medications
Adults can take a variety of drugs that are prescribed for ADHD in children. However, the dosages are different and the drugs may cause adverse effects that aren't present in children. A doctor will take into consideration the individual's medical history as well as family history and other health conditions to determine what medication is 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 called Adderall) and dextroamphetamine increase the availability of neurotransmitters, which help improve concentration, decrease impulsivity, and decrease aggression. They come in many forms, including chewable tablets, liquids and skin patches. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferable because they lead to greater patient compliance and a longer lasting more smooth improvement of symptoms.
It is crucial to remember that comorbid disorders such as depression or anxiety disorders can affect the response to ADHD medication. Therefore, it is recommended that disorders be treated first and medication used as a secondary measure. Some medications that are used to treat comorbid psychiatric disorders include atomoxetine, bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).
Certain patients may experience some patients may experience a "rebound" effect in which they experience an increase in ADHD symptoms after stopping stimulant medication. In these cases a short trial of a lower dose of stimulant medication may be helpful.
Some people cannot tolerate stimulant drugs or are unable to take them due to addiction or other health conditions, like heart issues that are severe or hypertension. In these cases, nonstimulant medication such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These drugs do not have the same amount of side effects as stimulants, and are a lower risk for misuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD. It can help them gain strategies to improve their lives to manage anxiety and stress, resolve conflicts, and cope with issues in relationships or at work. It can also assist with co-occurring mental illnesses such as depression and addiction disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as well as schema therapy. These therapies are based on the notion that thoughts and beliefs can affect how a person is feeling, thinks and behaves. CBT assists a person to identify negative behaviors and thinking patterns, then develops and implements positive strategies to change these patterns. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy employs techniques for meditation to teach people how to focus on their thoughts and emotions, control impulses, and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy, as well as other forms of psychotherapy focusing on a person's family history could be beneficial for those with ADHD who have significant secondary issues.
treatment of add in adults , along with medication, can assist with specific ADHD issues, like difficulty keeping up with schoolwork or getting along with other people. It can also help in avoiding important dates and obligations and making impulsive choices that result in legal and financial issues. Psychotherapy can help someone overcome underlying issues such as anxiety and depression that could be contributing to their ADHD symptoms.
Psychotherapy can help people discover healthy strategies for coping and decrease stress. For instance, exercise, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also offer support to the family member or spouse who is struggling with the negative effects ADHD affects their relationship. Marriage and family therapy can help couples and families communicate better and understand how to manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of psychotherapy which focuses on helping clients to change their negative thoughts. It involves a dialogue based on skills with an expert in mental health to identify the root causes of the symptoms. This treatment aims to help clients overcome difficulties and develop coping skills that are in line with their daily routines.
In addition to educating clients to recognize harmful thoughts, the therapists who specialize in adult ADHD CBT assist them in developing skills that allow them to replace unhelpful thinking with more productive ones. This process can take time. However, it's a good option for those who are not getting adequate relief from medications.
A recent RCT study found that when combined with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy alone in reducing the core symptoms, emotional symptoms as well as self-esteem and social functioning of adults suffering from ADHD (Clarke et al. 2017). The combination of CBT and methylphenidate is particularly effective for those with more severe underlying issues.
Therapists who provide this type of treatment work with their clients to develop an action plan that addresses the specific issues they face. They train them in a series of practical skills that are simple to master and have a good chance of success. Often a chart system is utilized to track progress and reward positive behaviour. This could be a daily report for children that lists the tasks they are required to complete in school or the positive behavior that must be displayed, as well as an approach to tracking and earning rewards. The therapists can also discuss the possibility that negative consequences could be imposed if a child isn't able to finish their work. This can be done in a sensitive and supportive way.
Metacognitive Therapy
Metacognitive therapy is a newer form of psychotherapy that helps people change their mindset. This type of treatment can be effective for people with a variety of mental health problems such as depression. It is a kind of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps people recognize negative thinking patterns and their effects on their moods. This type of therapy may also assist in the acquisition of psychological tools that are adaptable and useful.
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning in adults suffering from ADHD. In order to do 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 found that comprehensive knowledge was connected to daily functioning in adults with ADHD but that regulatory processes were not. The predictors of metacognition had a moderate predictive power, which suggests that they could explain a significant amount of variations in the daily functioning of people with ADHD.
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a form of psychotherapy which focuses on changing metacognitive beliefs that are dysfunctional and perpetuate states of worry, rumination and attention fixation. Adrian Wells developed MCT based on an idea of information processing developed by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been proven to be effective in treating illness anxiety disorders. However, it is still an in-development treatment and more research will be needed to determine if it could help with other disorders.
This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of MCT to treat symptoms of illness anxiety disorder. However it is also able to treat a variety of disorders and may be more effective than any other therapy. It is not a cure, but can be utilized to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy the Therapist works with the entire family. This allows everyone to understand the client's problems and to understand how to help their loved ones better. It also assists them in finding ways to manage their own feelings of frustration and develop healthier communication skills. Additionally, this type of counseling is useful for addressing comorbidities such as depression and alcohol abuse, which are commonly found in conjunction with ADHD.
The therapist will commence with an intake session in order to gain a better understanding of the family's perception of the problem and assess their suitability for family intervention. The session can be conducted in person or via the internet. The counselor will explain to each person the nature of treatment and the rules and regulations for family therapy.
A therapist with experience treating adults with ADHD asks lots of questions to gain an understanding of their current symptoms as well as their history and the impact that they have on their work, family and personal relationships. They will also inquire whether any other mental health issues are present, such anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of counseling that teaches you how to manage your behavior and transform negative patterns of thinking into positive ones. It focuses on boosting self-esteem and self-control by educating you on how to cope with stress and anger. This is a temporary option that can be utilized in conjunction with other types psychotherapy.
Individual therapy can help people with ADHD to deal with the emotional baggage that results from underachievement and failure. It can also assist them in dealing with conflicts in relationships, job changes, and academic difficulties. It can help you learn coping and stress reduction techniques and help you manage your time and finances more efficiently. It can also help with the comorbidity of disorders like depression and anxiety, which are often seen as a result of ADHD.