Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid conditions such as major depression (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many people who suffer from depression aren't able to take medication and could benefit from therapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and boost levels of certain brain chemicals. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are commonly prescribed.
Medications
Adults are able to take many different medications to treat ADHD in children. The dosages and effects can be different. The doctor will examine the medical history, family health history, and other medical factors of the individual to determine which drug is the best for them.
The most common ADHD medication is a stimulant. It works by altering the levels of norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain. The 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 because they improve patient compliance and a smoother, longer-lasting improvement in symptoms.
It is crucial to be aware that comorbid conditions like anxiety or depression can influence the response to ADHD medication. Therefore, it is recommended that psychiatric disorders be treated first before medication be used as a second measure. The medications that can be utilized for comorbidity disorders include atomoxetine (Bupropion), tricyclic antidepressants as well as bupropion (Wilens, 2004).
Certain patients may experience some patients may experience a "rebound" effect in which they experience worsening of ADHD symptoms after discontinuing stimulant medication. In these instances, a brief trial of a low dosage of stimulant medication can be helpful.
Certain people are not able to take stimulant medications or are not able to take them due to addiction or other health issues, for example, heart problems that are severe or hypertension. In these instances, non-stimulant medication such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These medications don't cause the same amount of side effects as stimulants and have less risk of misuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can be helpful for people with ADHD. It can help people with ADHD to improve their lives, manage stress and anxiety, manage conflicts, or manage issues at work or in relationships. It can also help those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing like depression and substance use disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as well as schema therapy. These therapies are based on belief that one's beliefs and thoughts affect how they think, feel and behave. CBT assists a person to recognize negative behavior and thought patterns, and then develops and implements positive strategies to change them. Meditation techniques are employed in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help a person focus on their thoughts and emotions, control impulses, and improve executive functioning. Schema therapy, along with other forms psychotherapy that focus on the family history of a person can be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD.
In addition to medication, psychotherapy can help address the specific problems caused by ADHD problems, like having trouble staying on track 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 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 to develop healthy coping methods and reduce stress, such as exercising, improving sleep and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to an individual in the family or with a spouse who is struggling with the effects ADHD affects 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 thinking patterns. It involves a skill-based dialog with an expert in mental health to identify the root cause of symptoms. This treatment is designed to assist clients overcome their limitations and develop coping strategies that are compatible with their daily routines.
In addition to teaching clients to recognize unhelpful 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 a long time. But it is an effective option for those who aren't getting enough relief from medication.
A recent RCT study has found that when combined with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy on its own in reducing the severity of the emotional symptoms, core symptoms as well as self-esteem and social functioning of adults with ADHD (Clarke et al. 2017). adhd treatment adults of CBT and methylphenidate is particularly beneficial for those suffering from more severe underlying issues.
The therapists who provide this kind of treatment usually work with the client to devise a detailed action plan for addressing their problems. They teach them a set of practical skills which are easy to master and have a high probability of success. Often a chart system is used to monitor progress and reward positive behaviour. This might include the daily report of a child that outlines the tasks they must complete at school, or the positive behaviors to be displayed, as well as a system of tracking and rewarding. The therapists can also discuss the possibility that negative consequences might be introduced when a child isn't able to finish their work. This can be done with sensitivity and support.
Metacognitive Therapy
Metacognitive therapy is an innovative kind of psychotherapy that helps people change their thinking. This type of therapy can be beneficial to those who suffer from a range of mental health issues like depression. It's a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps people to identify their negative thinking patterns and how they affect their emotions. This type of therapy may also assist in the acquisition of psychological tools that are adaptable and useful.
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning in adults suffering from ADHD. To accomplish this we compared self and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning with the predictors of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge, regulation of Cognition, Debugging Information Management, and Evaluation). The results showed that complete knowledge was linked to daily functioning among adults suffering from ADHD however, it was not associated with the processes that regulate. The predictive power of a model with predictors of metacognition was moderate, which suggests that they could explain an important portion of the variance in daily functioning for adults with ADHD.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an treatment that focuses on changing dysfunctional metacognitive belief patterns that perpetuate states like worry, rumination and attention fixation. MCT was developed by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model by Wells and Gerald Matthews. One case series has demonstrated the effectiveness of MCT in tackling anxiety disorder, however it's still relatively in its infancy and more research is required to determine its efficacy for other disorders.
This study was created to assess the effectiveness of MCT to treat symptoms of illness anxiety disorder. However, it can be used to treat a variety of disorders and could be more effective than other treatment. This is not a cure, but it could be used to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapist works with all members of the family. Everyone can gain a better understanding of the client's issues and learn how they can help their loved ones. It also assists them in dealing with their frustrations and develop better communication skills. Additionally, this type of counseling is useful in addressing comorbid conditions such as depression and addiction to drugs, which are typically found in conjunction with ADHD.
The therapist will start with an intake session to get a better understanding of the family's perception of the issue and determine their suitability for family intervention. This can be conducted online or in person. The therapist will discuss the nature of treatment with each person and spell out the rules and guidelines of family therapy.
A therapist who has experience treating adults with ADHD asks lots of questions to gain an understanding of their present symptoms as well as their history and the impact they've had on their family, work, and relationships. They will also inquire whether there are any other mental health issues that are present like anxiety or depression.
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 paired with other types of psychotherapy.
Individual therapy helps those with ADHD to deal with the emotional baggage that results from underachievement and failure. It can also assist them in dealing with relationship conflicts as well as job changes and academic challenges. It can teach stress reduction and coping techniques as well as how to manage your finances and time. It can also address problems that are comorbid, such as depression and anxiety which are frequently associated as a result of ADHD.