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ADHD in Adults – Treatment Options ADHD is a common condition of the nervous system that affects around 4,4 percent of the population. It is associated by high rates of comorbidity, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse and significant emotional, social and occupational impairments. Both medication and psychotherapy are effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. untreated adhd in adults depression prescribed medications are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine. Medicines Many adults with ADHD notice significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning in response to medications. It is essential that those suffering from ADHD find the combination of medications that is effective for them. Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed medications for adults with ADHD. These stimulants are available as tablets or liquids in an immediate-release (short acting) formulation. They can be taken every three to four hour. Some adults supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or longer-acting drug that is taken daily to decrease the requirement for frequent doses throughout the day. Antidepressants such as desipramine have also been found to be effective in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of medications can be used alone or in conjunction with stimulants to increase their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious side consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension. Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam and clonidine, which are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, can have the ability to calm and increase focus and reduce the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity among some adults. These medications can result in very low blood pressure when they are abruptly stopped or the dosage is decreased. Adults suffering from ADHD may also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help them deal with their feelings of shame and embarrassment over their ADHD, as well as resentment toward co-workers, supervisors, teachers and family members who might nag or criticize them. Marriage and family counseling is also a great way to help couples suffering from ADHD to better understand each other and improve communication. Behavioral Therapy A key goal of psychosocial therapy for adult ADHD is to teach skills and strategies that improve performance in everyday life. Psychotherapy can also help people with ADHD overcome low self-esteem and feelings of failure that often accompanies this condition. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that create problems in their lives and to develop new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as acting. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for many disorders, including depression and anxiety. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments or alone. CBT may involve group therapy, which is particularly helpful for adults with ADHD because it gives the opportunity to meet others with similar challenges and to learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be delivered in person or via the phone. In what happens if adhd is left untreated in adults , CBT was compared to conventional therapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Both treatments helped improve self-reporting indicators like symptoms, functioning and quality of life. Several studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for adults suffering from ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were attributed to a variety of modalities that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skills training, problem-solving, and mindfulness meditation. However, caution is warranted in comparing the efficacy of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is likely that differences in outcome results reflect a number of variables such as treatment characteristics, measures used and the background of the patient. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to identify areas in the brain that there is too much or too little activity – and then teaching the individual to control these patterns. Counseling Many people with ADHD also suffer from anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can help address these issues, which could contribute to ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy strategies include the use of interpersonal therapy to improve the capacity of individuals to establish meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help control impulsive, self-destructive, and negative behaviors that could cause difficulties at school or at work. In some cases psychotherapy may be utilized in conjunction with medications for adults with adhd treatment. Patients suffering from co-occurring disorders like substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder need to be evaluated to ensure that their symptoms aren't made worse by medications used to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history or seizures, must be treated with more vigor. If ADHD is severe enough to interfere with everyday functioning and quality of life intensive outpatient programs might be suggested. These programs offer a more thorough and structured treatment than traditional outpatient therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults with ADHD improve their abilities to manage time and impulse control, organizing, and executive function. It helps them recognize and express emotions and utilizes exercises and worksheets to make the lessons engaging. The practice of mindfulness meditation improves CBT and enhances the capacity of a person to focus and regulate emotions. It increases the capacity of a person to tolerate stress and arousal. It helps them deal with sadness, anger and other emotions which could be contributing to their ADHD. Occupational Therapy Adults with ADHD often have difficulties functioning at home and at work. In addition to impacting work performance, these symptoms interfere with relationships and may cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you improve your self-esteem, resolve the root causes of your issues and develop healthy coping strategies. Cognitive-behavioral Therapy is a great treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it helps you change your negative beliefs and behaviors. It is focused on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions that contribute to negative moods, and the perception that there are only a few options. Many people who suffer from ADHD also have comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric conditions can cause or reduce the effectiveness of some drugs used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended that you treat the most severe disorder comorbid to ADHD first and observe the effect of medication before proceeding to treatment of the other condition. Occupational therapy can teach you how to manage your life and work, establish predictable routines, manage time and money, and create confidence in yourself. It can also help you learn relaxation techniques that could reduce your hyperactivity and impulsivity. Yoga and other workouts can aid in improving your concentration by stabilizing your body during different poses. Family and marriage counseling can help adults with ADHD to resolve the issues they create for their spouses, kids and others. They often complain about being unreliable and disorganized. They often forget things or make decisions impulsively. You can build stronger relationships by educating your spouses and family members about ADHD. Additionally, it can aid you and your loved ones realize that these issues are due to the patient's ADHD rather than to an absence of care or a willful refusal to cooperate. Clinical Trials Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that is very prevalent. It is often accompanied by comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression and abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication treatments are available as treatment options. There are a range of medications available for adults with ADHD. Some of these medications have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the drugs. Adults suffering from ADHD have the same symptoms as children, but it can be difficult to identify them since childhood symptoms may not persist until adulthood. In addition, adults who suffer from ADHD may not have a family history of the disorder in their families or they may not remember having symptoms. A thorough medical history is necessary to help determine whether the symptoms are caused by medical conditions such as a thyroid problem or sleep apnea, vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning. Adult medications for ADHD generally fall into two categories: stimulants and non-stimulant medications. The stimulants have the highest response rates for adults with ADHD. Their rates of responsiveness vary from 70 to 80percent. Amphetamine as well as methylphenidate are the most frequently prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate can also be found in a transdermal system which permits continuous supply of medication throughout the day. Adults with ADHD are able to take nonstimulant medication that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, the most researched tricyclic, has been proven to work in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose medication which should be increased each seven days by 50mg until the desired effect is noticed. Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant that has been proven to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine-agonist that is effective in blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter and increasing its presence in the brain. This drug has been shown to improve mood and reduce hyperactivity in adults, however it isn't as effective as stimulants in improving concentration or cognitive function.