Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many adults suffering from ADHD also suffer from comorbid conditions like major depression (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many depressed patients are not able to respond well to medications and may get better results from therapy.
Medications that most effectively improve the symptoms of ADHD appear to increase and regulate levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are often prescribed.
Medications
Adults can take a variety of medications to treat ADHD in children. However treatment adult adhd differ and the drugs can cause side effects that are not common in children. The doctor will take a look at the medical history, family health history, and other medical health conditions of the patient to determine which medication is the best for them.
The most popular kind of ADHD medication is stimulant and adjusts levels of two chemical messengers within the brain, namely norepinephrine and dopamine. Stimulants like methylphenidate (also known as Adderall) and dextroamphetamine increase the availability of neurotransmitters that help improve focus, reduce impulsivity and decrease aggression. They come in many forms, including chewable tablets, liquids and skin patches. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferred because they lead to better patient compliance and longer lasting, smoother improvement of symptoms.
It is crucial to keep in mind that comorbidities like anxiety and depression may alter the effectiveness of ADHD medications. Therefore, it is recommended that psychiatric disorders be treated first, and medication used as secondary measure. Some medications that are used to treat comorbid psychiatric disorders include bupropion, atomoxetine and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).
Some patients may suffer from some patients may experience a "rebound effect" where their ADHD symptoms worsen after discontinuing stimulant medication. In these instances, a brief trial of a low dose of stimulant medication can be helpful.
Some people cannot tolerate stimulant drugs or are not able to take them due to addiction or other health issues, such as severe heart problems or hypertension. In these situations, non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These medications don't have the same negative side effects as stimulants and are less likely to be abused or diverted.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is a great option for those suffering from ADHD. It can help them gain skills to improve their life manage stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, and manage problems in relationships or at work. It can also help those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing, like addiction and depression disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and mind-body cognitive therapy and schema therapy. These therapies are based on the notion that thoughts and beliefs influence how a person is feeling, thinks and behaves. CBT helps an individual identify negative patterns of behavior and thoughts and then develop and implement strategies to alter these. Meditation techniques are employed in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help people focus on their thoughts and emotions to control their impulses and improve executive functioning. Schema therapy and other types of psychotherapy that focus on a person's family history can be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD with significant secondary problems.
Psychotherapy, along with medication, can aid with specific ADHD issues, such as difficulty keeping up with schoolwork or getting along with others. It can also assist in avoiding important dates and responsibilities and making decisions that are impulsive and lead to financial and legal problems. Psychotherapy can help someone overcome underlying issues such as depression and anxiety that may contribute 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 offer support to an individual in the family or with a partner who is dealing with the 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 is a type of psychotherapy which focuses on helping clients to change their negative patterns of thinking. It involves a dialog based on skill with a mental health professional to identify the root causes of the symptoms. This treatment is designed to help clients overcome difficulties and develop coping skills that are compatible with their daily routines.
In addition to educating clients how to identify unhelpful thoughts, those who specialize in adult ADHD CBT aid them in developing skills that allow clients to replace their negative thoughts with more productive ones. This process can take some time. However, it is a viable option for those who are not getting adequate relief from their 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 core symptoms, emotional symptoms as well as self-esteem and social functioning in adults with ADHD (Clarke and colleagues., 2017). The combination of CBT and methylphenidate is particularly beneficial for those suffering from more severe underlying problems.
Therapists who provide this type of treatment work with their clients to devise an action plan that addresses the specific issues they face. They typically teach them a series of practical skills that are easy to apply and have a good chance of being successful. Charts are typically used to track progress and to reward positive behavior. For an infant, this could involve a daily report that lists all the school tasks or positive behaviors they need to accomplish and a system for recording and earning rewards. The therapists can also discuss the possibility that negative consequences may be imposed if a child isn't able to finish their work. This can be done with care and encouragement.
Metacognitive Therapy
A more recent form of therapy, metacognitive therapy, helps individuals change how they think. This kind of treatment can be beneficial for people with a variety of mental health issues such as depression. It is a kind of cognitive behavioral therapy which helps people learn to recognize negative thought patterns and their effect on their emotions. This type of therapy may assist them in acquiring psychological tools that are able and beneficial.
This study aimed to examine the relationship between metacognitive skills and daily functioning in adults suffering from ADHD. In order to do this we compared self and informant-rated daily functioning impairments with predictors of Metacognition (comprehensive Knowledge, Regulation of Cognition, Debugging Information Management and Evaluation). It was found that the comprehensive knowledge of people was linked to daily functioning in adults with ADHD but that regulatory processes were not. The predictive power of a model with metacognition predictors was moderate, suggesting that they can explain significant proportions of the variation in daily functioning for adults with ADHD.
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a type of psychotherapy which focuses on changing metacognitive beliefs that are dysfunctional and perpetuate states of worry, rumination and attention fixation. Adrian Wells developed MCT based on the model of information processing created by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been proven to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, it is still an in-development treatment and further research will be needed to determine if it can help with other disorders.
This study was conceived to evaluate the efficacy of MCT to alleviate symptoms of anxiety disorder. However it is also able to treat a variety of disorders and could be more effective than other therapy. It is important to keep in mind that this isn't an effective treatment for ADHD but it could be utilized as an alternative therapy.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, therapists work with all family members. Everyone is able to better understand the client's needs and learn how they can help their loved ones. It also helps them deal with their frustrations and build more effective communication skills. This type of counseling could be used to tackle other comorbidities, such as depression and substance abuse, which are often seen as a result of ADHD.
The therapist will commence with an intake session to get a better understanding of the family's perception of the problem and evaluate their potential for intervention by the family. The session can be conducted in person or via the internet. The counselor will explain to each client the nature of treatment and the do's & don'ts for family therapy.
A therapist with worked with adults suffering from ADHD asks lots of questions to get a better understanding of the current symptoms, their past, and the impact they've had on their family, work and personal relationships. They will also ask if any other mental issues are present, such depression or anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a structured form of counseling that helps you change your negative thoughts patterns and control your behavior. It focuses on boosting self-esteem and self control by educating you on how to handle stress and anger. It is a treatment option for short-term use that can be paired with other types of psychotherapy.
Individual therapy can help people with ADHD to manage the emotional baggage that results from underachievement and failure. It can also help them deal with relationship conflicts as well as job changes and academic difficulties. It can help you learn strategies for managing stress and coping and teach you how to manage your time and money more effectively. It can also help with the comorbidity of disorders like anxiety and mood disorders, which are often seen as a result of ADHD.