Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people with ADHD have comorbid disorders like major depression (Kessler and co., 2006). Many sufferers do not respond to medications for depression and may benefit from psychotherapy.
Treatments that are most effective in reducing core symptoms of ADHD are those that boost and balance levels of specific brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are commonly prescribed.
Medications
Many medications that are used to treat ADHD in children can be used on adults. The dosages and side effects are different. A doctor will take into consideration the individual's medical history, family history, and other health issues to determine which medication is the best for them.
The most common kind of ADHD medication is stimulant. It works by adjusting levels of two chemical messengers in the brain, namely norepinephrine and dopamine. The stimulants methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine (commonly called Adderall) increase the availability of these neurotransmitters. They can improve focus and decrease aggression and impulsivity. These stimulants are available in various forms, such as skin patches, liquids, and chewable tablets. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferable as they result in more patient compliance and lasting, smoother improvement of symptoms.
It is important to remember that comorbid conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders can influence the response to ADHD medications. Therefore it is recommended that psychiatric issues be treated first and medication utilized as a secondary measure. Medications that are used to treat comorbid psychiatric disorders include atomoxetine and bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).).
Some patients may exhibit an "rebound" effect, where they experience worsening of ADHD symptoms after stopping stimulant medications. In these instances it is possible to try a short-term trial of a low-dose stimulant medication may prove beneficial.
Some people are unable to tolerate stimulant drugs or are not able to take them due to addiction or other health conditions like heart issues that are severe or hypertension. In these cases, non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and viloxazine may be beneficial. These drugs do not have the same high rates of adverse effects as stimulants and have less risk of misuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
People suffering from ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help them gain strategies to improve their lives manage stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, and cope with problems in relationships or at work. It can also assist those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing like depression and addiction disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and schema therapy. These treatments are based on the notion that a person's beliefs and thoughts affect how they think, feel and behave. CBT assists a person to recognize negative behaviors and thinking patterns, and then develops and implements positive strategies to alter them. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy employs techniques of meditation to teach a person how to focus on their thoughts and emotions, control impulses, and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy, as well as other forms of psychotherapy that focus on a person’s family history can be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD.
Psychotherapy, in addition to medication, can assist with specific ADHD issues, such as difficulties with schoolwork or interacting with other people. It can also assist with forgetting important dates and obligations and making impulsive decisions that can could lead to legal and financial issues. It can also help individuals to address and overcome issues that could contribute to their ADHD symptoms, like depression or anxiety.
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 spouse or family member who may be dealing with the effects of ADHD on their relationship. Family therapy and marriage counseling can assist families and couples improve communication and learn to manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a kind of psychotherapy that is focused on helping clients to change their negative patterns of thinking. It involves a skill-based dialog with an expert in mental health to address the underlying cause of symptoms. The aim of this therapy is to correct limitations and implement strategies for coping that align with the client's daily life.
In addition to educating clients to recognize unhelpful thoughts, therapists who specialize in adult ADHD CBT aid them in developing abilities that enable them to replace negative thoughts with more productive ones. This process can be lengthy. It's a possibility for those who cannot receive enough relief from their medication.
In the course of a recent RCT, it was found that cognitive behavioral therapy combined with medication is superior over cognitive behavior therapy by itself in terms of improving the core symptoms, emotional symptom self-esteem and social functioning in adults with ADHD (Clarke and co. 2017). CBT combined with methylphenidate can be particularly effective for those who suffer from more serious underlying issues.
Therapists who offer this kind of treatment work with clients to devise an action plan to address their specific problems. They teach them a set of skills that are easy to master and have a high chance of success. Often a chart system is used to monitor progress and reward positive behavior. treating adults with adhd could include an everyday report for children that lists the tasks they must complete in school or the positive behavior that must be displayed, as well as an organized system for tracking and rewarding rewards. The therapists can also discuss the possibility that negative consequences may be inflicted upon a child who fails to complete their tasks. This can be done with sensitivity and support.
Metacognitive Therapy
Metacognitive therapy is a brand new type of psychotherapy that assists people change their mindset. This kind of therapy could be beneficial for those who suffer from a variety mental health issues, such as depression. It is a kind of cognitive behavior therapy that helps people learn to recognize negative thoughts and their effect on their emotions. This kind of therapy helps individuals develop psychological tools that are flexible and useful.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between metacognitive abilities and daily functioning in adults with ADHD. To this end we compared the self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning with the indicators of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge and cognition regulation, debugging, information management, and evaluation). It was discovered that comprehensive knowledge was connected to daily functioning in adults with ADHD but that the processes of regulation were not. The predictors of metacognition had a moderate predictive power, which indicates that they can be the cause of significant variance in daily functioning of people with ADHD.
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a psychotherapy which focuses on changing metacognitive beliefs that are dysfunctional and perpetuate states of anxiety and rumination, as well as attention fixation. Adrian Wells developed MCT based on a model of information processing created by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been shown to be effective in treating illness anxiety disorder. 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 in decreasing symptoms of anxiety disorder, however it can be applied to a range of disorders and may even be more effective than other treatments. It's important to keep in mind that this isn't a cure for ADHD, but it can be utilized as an alternative therapy.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapist works with all members of the family. This allows all members to be aware of the issues facing the client and to understand how to help their loved one better. It also helps them cope with their frustrations and develop more effective communication skills. Additionally, this type of counseling can be helpful for addressing comorbidities like depression or substance misuse which are often seen alongside ADHD.
The therapist will commence with an intake session in order to gain an understanding of the family's perspective of the problem and evaluate their suitability for family intervention. This can be done in person or online. The Therapist will discuss the nature of the therapy with each person and spell out the do's and don'ts of family therapy.
A therapist with experience treating adults with ADHD will ask a lot of questions to gain an understanding of their current symptoms as well as their history and the impact they have on their family, work and relationships. They will also inquire whether there are any other mental health issues that are present, such as anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured type of counseling that teaches you to manage 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 cope with stress and anger. This is a short-term option that can be utilized in conjunction with other types psychotherapy.
Individual talk therapy can help people with ADHD overcome emotional burdens resulting from long-standing patterns of underachievement and failure academic issues as well as frequent job changes and conflicts in relationships. It can help you develop ways to manage stress and cope and teach you how to manage your time and money more effectively. treating adult adhd can also help with comorbid disorders such as anxiety and mood disorders which are frequently associated as a result of ADHD.