Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many adults suffering from ADHD also suffer from comorbid conditions, such as major depression (Kessler and colleagues 2006). Many people who suffer from depression do not respond well to medication and may be able to benefit from therapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and increase levels of certain brain chemicals. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are often prescribed.
Medicines
Many medications that are used to treat ADHD in children can be used for adults. However the dosages differ and the medications can cause adverse effects that aren't common in children. A doctor will look at the individual's medical history as well as family history and other health conditions to determine what medication is the best for him or her.
The most commonly used ADHD medication is a stimulant. It works by altering the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Stimulants such as methylphenidate or dextro-amphe (commonly known as Adderall) increase the amount of these neurotransmitters, which help improve focus and reduce aggression and impulsivity. They are available in a variety of 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, smoother improvement in symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that comorbid conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders can affect the response to ADHD medications. It is therefore recommended that these psychiatric problems be treated first before medication used as secondary measure. The drugs that can be used to treat comorbid disorders of mood are atomoxetine (Bupropion) tricyclic antidepressants as well as bupropion (Wilens, 2004).).
Some patients may experience an "rebound" effect in which they experience worsening of ADHD symptoms after stopping stimulant medications. In these cases a short trial of a lower dose of stimulant medication may be helpful.
Some people cannot tolerate stimulant medicines or are unable to take them due to drug abuse or other health issues, such as severe heart problems or hypertension. In these instances, non-stimulant 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 misused.
Psychotherapy
People with ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help people with ADHD learn how to improve their lives, deal with stress and anxiety, manage conflicts, or deal with issues at work or in relationships. It can also aid in the treatment of those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing, like addiction and depression disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as well as schema therapy. These therapies are based upon the notion that thoughts and beliefs can influence how someone is feeling, thinks and behaves. CBT assists individuals in identifying negative patterns of behavior and thoughts and then develop and implement strategies to change them. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy utilizes meditation techniques to help a person learn to focus on their emotions and thoughts, manage their impulses, and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy and other types of psychotherapy that focus on a person's history with their family may be useful for people who suffer from ADHD who suffer from significant secondary issues.
In addition to medications, psychotherapy can help address the particular issues caused by ADHD problems, like having trouble keeping up with schoolwork, resolving conflicts, being able to get along with others, forgetting important dates or obligations and making impulsive choices that lead to financial or legal troubles. It can also help people to identify and overcome underlying issues that cause ADHD symptoms, like depression or anxiety.
Psychotherapy can assist a person find healthy coping skills and reduce stress, such as exercise, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to a partner or family member who may be dealing with the effects of ADHD on their relationship. add treatment for adults for families and marriage can assist families and couples communicate better and learn how to manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of psychotherapy which focuses on transforming the client's negative thinking patterns. It uses skill-based dialogue with an experienced mental health professional (a therapist) to address the root causes of their symptoms. The goal of this treatment is to overcome the limitations and implement coping strategies that fit with the client's daily life.
In addition, they teach clients how to identify unhelpful thoughts, those who specialize in adult ADHD CBT aid them in developing abilities that enable clients to replace their negative thoughts with more productive ones. The process can be long. It is an option for adults who do not feel enough relief from their medication.
A recent RCT study has found that when paired with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy alone in improving the emotional symptoms, core symptoms as well as self-esteem and social functioning in adults with ADHD (Clarke et al., 2017). The combination of CBT and methylphenidate is especially effective for those with more severe underlying issues.
Therapists who offer this kind of treatment work with their clients to devise an action plan that addresses the specific issues they face. They usually teach clients the fundamentals of therapy that are simple to implement and have a high chance of being successful. Often a chart system is used to monitor progress and reward positive behaviour. This could include a daily report for children that lists the tasks they are required to complete at school, or the positive behavior that must be displayed, as well as an organized system for tracking and earning rewards. The therapists may consider introducing negative consequences when a child does not finish their tasks. This can be done with care and support.
Metacognitive Therapy
A newer form of therapy, metacognitive therapy, assists individuals in changing how they think. This kind of treatment can be beneficial for people with a variety of mental health problems such as depression. It is a type of cognitive behavior therapy that helps people learn to recognize negative thought patterns and their impact on their moods. This kind of therapy can help individuals develop psychological tools that are versatile and useful.
This study was designed to investigate the relationship between metacognitive abilities and daily functioning among adults with ADHD. To do 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). It was found that comprehensive knowledge was related to daily functioning in adults with ADHD however, the regulatory processes were not. The predictors of metacognition had a moderate predictive power, which suggests they could explain a significant amount of variation in the daily functioning of people with ADHD.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an treatment that focuses on transforming metacognitive beliefs that cause dysfunction and perpetuate states such as worry, rumination, and attention fixation. MCT was created by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model 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 more research will be needed to determine if it could help with other disorders.
This study was created to assess the effectiveness of MCT to reduce symptoms of illness anxiety disorder. However it could be used to treat various disorders and is more effective than other therapy. This is not a cure, but can be used to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the Therapist works with the entire family. This helps all family members learn about the client's issues and learn how to support their loved ones better. It also helps them deal with their frustrations and develop better communication skills. This type of counseling could be used to tackle the underlying conditions, like addiction and depression which are frequently associated as a result of ADHD.
The therapist will commence with an intake session to get a clearer understanding of the family's perception of the problem and assess their ability to intervene with the family. The session can be conducted in person or online. The Therapist will discuss the nature of the treatment 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 variety of questions to gain an understanding of the client's present symptoms, their past and their impacts on their work, family life and relationships. They will also ask whether any other mental problems are present, for example anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of counseling that is structured that teaches you how to change your negative thoughts patterns and control your behavior. It focuses on boosting self-esteem and self control by teaching you how to manage anger and stress. This is a short-term solution that can be used in conjunction with other forms of psychotherapy.
Individual talk therapy can help people suffering from ADHD overcome emotional trauma from a long-running pattern of underachievement and failure academic issues, frequent job changes and relationship conflict. It can teach you ways to manage stress and cope and teach you how to manage your time and money more effectively. It can also be used to tackle the comorbidities, like anxiety and mood disorders, which are often associated with ADHD.