Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many adults with ADHD also suffer from comorbid disorders, such as major depression (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many sufferers do not respond to medication for depression and may benefit from psychotherapy.
Treatments that are most effective in reducing the symptoms of ADHD are those that boost and balance levels of specific neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals. Drugs that stimulate the brain such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are often prescribed.
Medicines
Adults can use many medications that are used for ADHD in children. The dosages and side effects differ. The doctor will take a look at the medical history, the family health history, and other health conditions of the patient to determine which drug is best.
The most commonly used ADHD medication is a stimulant. It works by altering the levels of norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain. Stimulants like methylphenidate (also called Adderall) and dextroamphetamine increase the availability of neurotransmitters that aid in improving focus, reduce impulsivity and reduce aggression. These stimulants are available in a variety of forms, such as skin patches, liquids, and chewable tablets. These long-acting stimulants are favored due to their improved patient compliance and a smoother, longer-lasting improvement of symptoms.
It is important to remember that comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression may alter the effectiveness of ADHD medications. Therefore, it is recommended that these disorders be treated first before medication is used as a secondary measure. Some medications that can be used to treat comorbid mood disorders include bupropion, atomoxetine and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).).
Some patients may exhibit an "rebound" effect where they experience worsening of ADHD symptoms after discontinuing stimulant medication. In these cases it is possible to try a short-term trial of the use of a low dose stimulant medication could be beneficial.
Some people are unable take stimulant medications or take it because of addiction to drugs or other health conditions like severe hypertension or heart problems. In these cases, non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine or viloxazine can be effective. These medications do not cause the same high rates of side effects as stimulants and carry a a lower risk for abuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
People suffering from ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help people with ADHD to improve their lives, deal with stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, or manage issues in their relationships or at work. It can also help those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing like depression and substance abuse disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and schema therapy. These therapies are based on the idea that a person's beliefs and attitudes affect how they feel, think and act. CBT assists a person to identify negative behaviors and thinking patterns, then develops and implements positive strategies to alter them. Meditation techniques are used in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help a person focus on their emotions and thoughts, control impulses, and improve executive functioning. treating add , as well as other forms of psychotherapy that concentrate on a person’s family history can be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD.
In addition to medications, psychotherapy can help address the particular issues caused by ADHD, such as trouble staying on track with schoolwork, resolving conflicts, getting along with others, ignoring important dates or responsibilities, and impulsive decisions that result in legal or financial issues. It can also assist people to identify and resolve issues that may cause ADHD symptoms, like depression or anxiety.
Psychotherapy can help someone to develop healthy coping methods and reduce stress through exercises, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also offer support to the family member or spouse who is struggling with the negative effects ADHD affects their relationship. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help families and couples communicate better and understand how to manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of psychotherapy which focuses on helping clients change their negative patterns of thinking. It employs dialogue based on skill with a trained mental health professional (a therapist) to address the root causes of their symptoms. This treatment is designed to help patients overcome limitations and develop coping strategies that are appropriate to their daily lives.
In addition to educating clients how to identify unhelpful thoughts, the therapists who specialize in adult ADHD CBT help them develop abilities that enable them to replace unhelpful thinking with more productive ones. This process can take time. It is an option for adults who do not feel enough relief from their medication.
A recent RCT study has found that when combined with medication, CBT is superior to CBT on its own in reducing the severity of core symptoms, emotional symptoms self-esteem, and social functioning of adults with ADHD (Clarke and co. 2017). CBT coupled with methylphenidate could be particularly effective for people who suffer from more serious underlying issues.
Therapists who provide this type of treatment work with their clients to create an action plan to address the specific issues they face. They typically teach them a set of practical skills that are simple to implement and have a high chance of success. Typically, a chart system is used to track progress and reward positive behaviour. For an infant, this could be a daily journal that outlines all of the school-related tasks or positive behavior they must perform and a method of tracking and earning rewards. Therapists may also discuss the possibility that negative consequences may be introduced when a child does not complete their task. This can be done with care and encouragement.
Metacognitive Therapy
A more recent form of therapy, metacognitive therapy assists individuals in changing how they think. This kind of therapy can be effective for people suffering from a range of mental health issues such as depression. It is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy which helps people recognize negative thought patterns and their effect on their emotions. This kind of therapy helps individuals develop psychological tools that are versatile and useful.
The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning in adults suffering from ADHD. To achieve this, we evaluated self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning with indicators of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge, regulation of cognition, debugging, information management and evaluation). It was observed that the comprehensive knowledge of people was linked to daily functioning in adults with ADHD but that regulatory processes were not. The predictors of metacognition had moderate predictive power which indicates that they can explain a significant amount of variations in the daily functioning of adults suffering from ADHD.
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a type of psychotherapy which focuses on changing metacognitive beliefs that are dysfunctional and perpetuate states of worry or rumination as well as attention fixation. Adrian Wells developed MCT based on an idea of information processing developed by Wells and Gerald Matthews. A case series has proven the effectiveness of MCT in reducing anxiety disorder, but it's still relatively new and more research is required to determine its effectiveness in other disorders.
This study was created to evaluate the efficacy of MCT to alleviate symptoms of illness anxiety disorder. However, it can be used to treat a variety of disorders and is more effective than other therapy. It's important to keep in mind that this isn't a cure for ADHD but it could be utilized as an adjunctive therapy.
Family Therapy
In family therapy the therapist works with the whole family. All members can better understand the client's issues and learn to assist their loved ones. It also helps them deal with their anger and develop more effective communication skills. Additionally, this kind of counseling can be helpful for addressing comorbidities such as depression or alcohol abuse, which are commonly seen alongside ADHD.
The therapist will commence with an intake session in order to gain a better understanding of the family's perception of the problem and evaluate their ability to intervene with the family. This can be conducted online or in person. The therapist will discuss the nature of the therapy with each individual and set out the rules and guidelines of family therapy.
A therapist who has worked with adults suffering from ADHD asks a lot questions to gain an understanding of their present symptoms, their past, and the impact that they have on their work, family and personal relationships. They will also ask whether there are other mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of counseling that is structured that teaches you how to 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. This is a short-term solution that can be utilized alongside other types of psychotherapy.
Individual therapy can help people with ADHD to manage the emotional baggage that comes from failure and underachievement. It can also assist them in dealing problems with relationships as well as job changes and academic difficulties. It can teach you ways to reduce stress and cope, and how to better manage your time and finances. It can also help with comorbid disorders such as anxiety and mood disorders that are commonly associated as a result of ADHD.