Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people with ADHD suffer from comorbid disorders, such as major depression (Kessler et al 2006). Many patients do not respond to medications for depression and may benefit from psychotherapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and increase levels of certain brain chemicals. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are commonly prescribed.
Medicines
A variety of medications used to treat ADHD in children can be used in adults. The dosages and effects differ. A doctor will look at the individual's medical history, family history, and other health issues to determine what medication is best for him or her.
The most common type of ADHD medication is stimulant. It works by adjusting levels of two chemical messengers in the brain, namely norepinephrine and dopamine. Stimulants such as methylphenidate (also known as Adderall) and dextroamphetamine enhance the supply of neurotransmitters that aid in improving focus, reduce impulsivity, and reduce aggression. These stimulants are available in various forms, such as skin patches, liquids, and chewable tablets. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are more effective because they provide greater patient compliance and a longer lasting, smoother improvement in symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that co-existing conditions like anxiety and depression may affect the response to ADHD medications. Therefore it is recommended that these psychiatric issues be treated first before medication is used as a second measure. Medications that are used to treat comorbid psychiatric disorders include atomoxetine, bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).).
Some patients may experience an "rebound" effect, where they experience a worsening of ADHD symptoms after stopping stimulant medication. In these instances an experiment of a short duration with an atypical stimulant drug could be beneficial.
Certain people are not able to take stimulant medications or take it due to drug misuse or other health conditions like severe hypertension or heart problems. In these cases, nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These drugs don't have the same adverse effects as stimulants, and they are less likely to be misused or diverted.
Psychotherapy
People suffering from ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help those who suffer from ADHD learn to improve their lives, deal with anxiety and stress, resolve conflicts, or manage issues at work or in relationships. It can also aid in the treatment of people with mental disorders that coexist, such as depression and addiction disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and schema therapy. These therapies are based on the notion that a person's beliefs and thoughts affect how they behave, think and feel. CBT helps a person recognize negative behavior and thought patterns, then develops and implements strategies to alter them. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy uses meditation techniques to teach a person how to concentrate on their thoughts and emotions, manage their impulses, and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy and other types of psychotherapy focusing on the family history of a person could be beneficial for those who suffer from ADHD with significant secondary problems.
In addition to medications psychotherapy can assist in addressing the specific problems caused by ADHD, such as trouble keeping up with schoolwork, resolving conflicts and being able to get along with others, ignoring important dates or responsibilities, and impulsive decisions that lead to legal or financial issues. Psychotherapy can help someone overcome underlying issues such as depression and anxiety that may contribute 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 provide assistance to a family or partner member who may be dealing with the effects of ADHD on their relationship. Marriage and family therapy 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 changing the client's negative thinking patterns. It employs dialogue based on skill with a trained mental health professional (a therapist) to address the root causes of their symptoms. The aim of this therapy is to eliminate impairments and implement coping strategies that are compatible with the daily routine of the client.
In addition to teaching clients to recognize unhelpful thoughts, therapists who specialize in adult ADHD CBT aid them in developing abilities that enable clients to replace their negative thoughts with more productive ones. treat adult add can take a long time. However, it's a good alternative for adults who aren't getting enough relief from medications.
A recent RCT study found that when paired with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy alone in improving the core symptoms, emotional symptoms self-esteem, and social functioning in adults with ADHD (Clarke et al., 2017). The combination of CBT and methylphenidate is especially effective for those who have more severe underlying problems.
The therapists who offer this treatment usually collaborate with the client to develop a detailed action plan for addressing their problems. They typically teach them a series of practical skills that are easy to implement and have a high chance of success. Charts are often used to track progress and reward positive behaviors. This could include the daily report of children that lists the tasks they must finish at school or the positive behaviors to be demonstrated, and an organized system for monitoring and rewarding. Therapists can also talk about the possibility that negative consequences might be introduced when a child fails to complete their tasks. This can be done with sensitivity and support.
Metacognitive Therapy
A more recent form of therapy, metacognitive therapy helps people change the way they think. This type of therapy can be beneficial to those who suffer from a range of mental health problems like depression. It is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that assists people in recognizing negative thoughts and their effects on their moods. This kind of therapy helps them develop mental tools that are versatile and useful.
This study was designed to investigate the relationship between metacognitive skills and daily functioning among adults with ADHD. To this end, we examined the relationship between self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning with predictors of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge and cognition regulation debugging, information management and evaluation). It was discovered that comprehensive knowledge was related to daily functioning in adults with ADHD however, the regulatory processes were not. Metacognition predictors had moderate predictive power which indicates that they can be the cause of significant variance in daily functioning of adults suffering from ADHD.
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a type of psychotherapy which focuses on changing metacognitive beliefs that cause states of worry or rumination as well as attention fixation. MCT was created by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model created by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorder. However, it's still a relatively new treatment, and further research is needed to determine if it could aid in other disorders.
The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of MCT in the reduction of symptoms of illness anxiety disorder, however it can be applied to a range of disorders and could be more effective than other therapies. It's important to keep in mind that this is not an effective treatment for ADHD, but it can be employed as an adjunctive therapy.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapist works with the whole family. This allows everyone to understand the client's problems and to learn how they can support their loved ones better. It also assists them in finding ways to deal with their own anxieties and improve their communication skills. This type of counseling could be used to tackle the underlying conditions, like depression and substance abuse which are frequently associated as a result of ADHD.
The therapist will commence with an intake session to get an understanding of the family's view of the issue and determine their ability to intervene with the family. This can be done online or in person. The therapist will explain to each participant the purpose of therapy and the do's & don'ts for family therapy.
A therapist with had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD will ask a lot of questions to gain insight into their present symptoms as well as their history and the impact they have on their family, work and relationships. They will also inquire if there are any other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of counseling that teaches you to manage your behavior and transform negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. It concentrates on improving your self-esteem and self-control by teaching techniques to cope with anxiety and stress. It is a treatment option for short-term use that can be paired with other forms of psychotherapy.
Individual talk therapy helps people with ADHD to deal with the emotional baggage that comes from failing and underachievement. It can also assist them in dealing with conflicts in relationships or job changes as well as academic challenges. It can teach ways to reduce stress and cope as well as how to manage your financial and time management. It can also be used to tackle comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and mood disorders, which are often seen alongside ADHD.