Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid conditions, such as major depression (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many depressed patients aren't able to take medication and may be able to benefit from therapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and increase levels of certain brain chemicals. The most frequently prescribed stimulants include amphetamine, methylphenidate, and similar drugs.
Medicines
Adults can take a variety of medications to treat ADHD in children. However, the dosages are different and the drugs may cause adverse effects that aren't present in children. The doctor will look at the medical history, the family health history, and other medical health conditions of the patient to determine which medication is best.
The most common type of ADHD medication is stimulant and adjusts levels of two chemical messengers within the brain, norepinephrine as well as dopamine. Stimulants like methylphenidate (also called Adderall), and dextroamphetamine increase the availability of neurotransmitters that help improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and decrease aggression. These stimulants are available in various forms, including skin patches, liquids, and chewable tablets. These long-acting stimulants are preferred due to their improved patient compliance and more consistent, long-lasting improvement in symptoms.
It is important to be aware that comorbid disorders such as anxiety or depression may influence the response to ADHD medication. Therefore it is recommended that these disorders be treated first before medication is used as a secondary measure. The medications that can be used to treat comorbid psychiatric disorders include atomoxetine, bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).).
Some patients may experience some patients may experience a "rebound" effect, where they experience an increase in ADHD symptoms after discontinuing stimulant medications. In these instances, a short trial of a low dosage of stimulant medication could be beneficial.
Certain people are not able to take stimulant drugs or are in a position to not take them due to addiction or other health issues, such as severe heart problems or hypertension. In these situations, nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine or viloxazine can be effective. These medications don't cause the same high rates of adverse effects as stimulants, and are lower risks of misuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
People suffering from ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help them learn skills to improve their life, deal with stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, and manage problems in relationships and at work. It can also help with co-existing mental illnesses such as depression and addiction disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and mind-body cognitive therapy, and schema therapy. These treatments are based on the notion that beliefs and thoughts can influence how someone behaves, thinks and feels. CBT assists a person to identify negative behaviors and thinking patterns, and then develops and implements positive strategies to change these patterns. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy uses meditation techniques to help a person learn to concentrate on their emotions and thoughts, manage their impulses, and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy and other types of psychotherapy focused on a person's family history could be beneficial for those with ADHD with significant secondary problems.
In addition to medications, 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 making impulsive choices that can lead to legal or financial problems. It can assist a person overcome the root issues like depression and anxiety that may be contributing to their ADHD symptoms.
Psychotherapy can help someone find healthy coping skills and reduce stress, such as exercises, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to a family member or spouse who is struggling with the negative effects ADHD can have on their relationship. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help couples and families learn how to communicate better and manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on transforming the client's negative thinking patterns. It utilizes skill-based dialogue with a skilled mental health professional (a therapist) to address the root causes of their symptoms. This treatment is designed to help clients overcome limitations and develop coping strategies that are in line with their daily routines.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT instruct clients to recognize harmful thought patterns and help them learn to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can take some time. However, it is a viable alternative for adults who do not receive enough relief from medications.
A recent RCT study found that when paired with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy on its own in reducing the emotional symptoms, core symptoms, self-esteem and social functioning of adults suffering from ADHD (Clarke et al. 2017). The combination of CBT and methylphenidate is especially effective for those with more severe underlying issues.
The therapists who provide this treatment usually collaborate with the client to devise an action plan specific to addressing their problems. They will teach them a set of skills that are easy to learn and have a good chance of success. Typically, a chart system is used to monitor progress and reward positive behaviour. This could be the daily report of a child that outlines the tasks they must complete at school, or the positive behaviors that need to be demonstrated, and a system of recording and rewarding. The therapists may also discuss the possibility of introducing negative consequences when a child does not finish their tasks. This can be done with care and support.
Metacognitive Therapy
Metacognitive therapy is a brand new form of psychotherapy that helps people change their thinking. This kind of therapy can be beneficial for people who suffer from a variety mental health issues, such as depression. It is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps people learn to recognize negative thinking patterns and their effect on their emotions. This type of therapy helps to develop psychological tools that are versatile and useful.
The goal of this study was to explore the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning in adults with ADHD. To achieve this, we evaluated self- and informant-rated deficits in daily functioning to the indicators of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge, regulation of cognition debugging, management of information, and evaluation). The results showed that complete knowledge was associated with daily functioning in adults with ADHD, but not regulation processes. Metacognition predictors had moderate predictive power which indicates that they can explain a significant amount of variance in daily functioning of adults with ADHD.
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on modifying metacognitive beliefs that cause states of worry or rumination as well as attention fixation. Adrian Wells developed MCT based on a model of information processing by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been proven to be effective in treating illness anxiety disorders. However, it's still an in-development treatment and more research will be needed to determine if it could help with other disorders.
This study was conceived for evaluating the effectiveness of MCT to treat symptoms of anxiety disorder. However it is also able to treat a variety of disorders and may be more effective than other treatment. This isn't a cure, but can be utilized to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy the therapy therapist works with the entire family. This allows everyone to understand the client's problems and learn how to support their loved one better. It also assists them in finding ways to deal with their own feelings of frustration and develop healthier communication skills. This type of counseling can be used to tackle other comorbidities, such as substance abuse and depression that are commonly associated as part of ADHD.
The therapist will start with an intake session to gain an understanding of the family's perception of the issue and determine their ability to intervene with the family. This can be conducted online or in person. The therapist will discuss the nature of the treatment with each client and lay out the do's and don'ts of family therapy.
A therapist with worked with adults suffering from ADHD will ask a lot of questions to get a better understanding of their current symptoms as well as their past and the impact they've had on their family, work and personal relationships. They will also inquire whether there are other mental health issues present like depression or anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of counseling that teaches you how to manage your behavior and transform negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. It is focused on improving self-esteem and self-control through teaching techniques to cope with stress and anger. This is a short-term option that can be used alongside other types of psychotherapy.
Individual talk therapy can help those with ADHD deal with emotional burdens resulting from long-standing patterns of underachievement, failure, academic difficulties frequent job changes, and conflict in relationships. It can teach strategies for coping with stress and stress reduction, and how to better manage your time and finances. adhd adults treatment can also be used to tackle the comorbidities, like anxiety and mood disorders that are often associated with ADHD.