Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people with ADHD suffer from comorbid disorders, like major depression (Kessler and co., 2006). Many people who suffer from depression are not able to respond well to medication and could be able to benefit from therapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and increase levels of certain brain chemicals. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are commonly prescribed.
Medicines
Adults can use many medications that are used for ADHD in children. The dosages and the side effects differ. A doctor will consider the medical history of the patient, family history and other health conditions to determine what medication is most suitable 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 enhance the supply of neurotransmitters that help improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and decrease aggression. They come in many forms such as chewable tablets, liquids and skin patches. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferred because they provide greater patient compliance and a longer lasting and smoother improvement of symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that co-occurring disorders like anxiety or depression can influence the response to ADHD medication. Therefore adhd adults treatment is recommended that mental health issues be treated first and medication utilized as a 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).
Certain patients might experience an "rebound effect" in which their ADHD symptoms worsen after discontinuing stimulant medication. In these cases it is possible to try a short-term trial of a low-dose stimulant medication may be beneficial.
Some people are unable to take stimulant medications or take it because of addiction to drugs or other health conditions like heart or hypertension problems that are severe. In these cases, nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These drugs don't have the same adverse effects as stimulants and are less likely to be abused or diverted.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can be beneficial for people with ADHD. It can help them develop techniques to improve their lives, deal with stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, and cope with problems in relationships or at work. It can also help people with mental disorders that coexist, like depression and addiction disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as well as schema therapy. These therapies are based on the idea that thoughts and beliefs influence how a person behaves, thinks and feels. CBT assists individuals in identifying negative behaviors and thought patterns and then devise and implement strategies to alter these. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy uses meditation techniques to teach a person how to concentrate on their thoughts and emotions, control impulses and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy, as well as other forms of psychotherapy that concentrate on a person's family history can be beneficial for people with ADHD.
In addition to medication psychotherapy can assist in addressing the specific issues that arise from ADHD, such as trouble keeping up with schoolwork, resolving conflict and being able to get along with others, forgetting important dates or responsibilities, and impulsive decisions that can lead to legal or financial problems. Psychotherapy can help someone overcome underlying issues such as anxiety and depression that could be contributing to their ADHD symptoms.
Psychotherapy can assist people in finding healthy strategies for coping and decrease stress. For example exercise, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also provide support to a spouse or family member who may be dealing with the effects of ADHD on their relationship. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help families and couples learn to communicate better and manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on helping clients to change their negative thoughts. It involves a dialog based on skill with a mental health professional to identify the root causes of the symptoms. This therapy aims to assist clients overcome their limitations and develop coping strategies that are compatible with their daily routines.
In addition to educating clients to recognize unhelpful thoughts, therapists who specialize in adult ADHD CBT aid them in developing abilities that enable them to replace negative thoughts with more productive ones. This process can take time. It's a possibility for adults who do not get enough relief from their medications.
A recent RCT study has found that when combined with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy alone in reducing core symptoms, emotional symptoms self-esteem, and social functioning in adults with ADHD (Clarke et al., 2017). The combination of CBT and methylphenidate is especially effective for those who have more severe underlying issues.
The therapists that provide this kind of treatment usually collaborate with the client to devise an action plan that is specific to addressing their problems. They usually teach clients the fundamentals of therapy that are easy to implement and have a good chance of being successful. Often a chart system is used to monitor the progress of a child and reward positive behaviour. In the case of children, this could involve a daily report that lists all the school tasks or positive behavior they have to perform, as well as an approach to monitoring and gaining rewards. The therapists may also discuss the possibility of the introduction of negative consequences if a child does not complete their work. This can be done in a sensitive and supportive manner.
Metacognitive Therapy
A newer type of therapy, metacognitive therapy assists individuals in changing how they think. This kind of treatment can be beneficial for people who suffer from a variety of mental health issues which include depression. It is a kind of cognitive behavioral therapy that assists people in recognizing negative thoughts and their impact on their moods. This kind of therapy can assist them in acquiring psychological tools that are able and effective.
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning in adults with ADHD. To this end, we compared the self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning with predictors of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge and cognition regulation, debugging, management of information, and evaluation). The results showed that comprehensive knowledge was associated with daily functioning in adults with ADHD, but not regulatory processes. The predictive effectiveness of a model that includes metacognition predictors was moderate, which suggests that they can explain a significant amount of the variation in daily functioning of people with ADHD.
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a psychotherapy that focuses on modifying metacognitive beliefs that are dysfunctional and perpetuate states of worry and rumination, as well as 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's still an emerging treatment, and further research is required to determine if it can help with other disorders.
This study was designed to determine the efficacy of MCT in the reduction of symptoms of illness anxiety disorder, but it can be applied to a range of disorders and could be more effective than other treatments. It is important to keep it 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, the therapy therapist works with the entire family. This allows everyone to learn about the client's issues and to learn how they can support their loved one better. It also assists them in dealing with their anger and develop better communication skills. This type of counseling can be used to tackle comorbid conditions, such as substance abuse and depression, which are often seen as part of ADHD.
The therapist will begin with an intake session in order to understand the family's views and determine whether they are suitable for family intervention. This can be conducted online or in person. The therapist will explain to each client the nature of treatment and the rules for family therapy.
A therapist who has experience in treating adults with ADHD will ask lots of questions to gain understanding of the client's current symptoms, their history and their impact on their work life, family life and relationships. They will also ask if any other mental issues are present, such 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 short-term treatment that can be paired with other types of psychotherapy.
Individual therapy can help people suffering from ADHD deal with emotional baggage from longstanding patterns of underachievement and failure academic issues frequent job changes, and relationship conflict. It can teach you ways to manage stress and cope and help you manage your time and money more efficiently. It can also be used to address comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and mood disorders that are often associated with ADHD.