Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people suffering from ADHD have comorbid conditions like major depression (Kessler and co., 2006). Many patients are not responsive to depression medications and may be able to benefit from psychotherapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and boost levels of certain brain chemicals. Drugs that stimulate the brain such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are often prescribed.
Medicines
A variety of medications used to treat ADHD in children can also be used on adults. The dosages and side effects can be different. A doctor will consider the medical history of the patient, family history and other health conditions to determine which medicine is best for them.
treatment for add used ADHD medication is a stimulant. It works by adjusting the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. The stimulants like methylphenidate (also known as Adderall), and dextroamphetamine increase the availability of neurotransmitters that aid in improving focus, reduce impulsivity and decrease aggression. These stimulants are available in various forms, such as liquids, skin patches and chewable tablets. These stimulants that last longer are popular because they improve patient compliance, as well as more consistent, long-lasting improvement in symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that comorbid disorders such as anxiety or depression may affect the response to ADHD medication. Therefore, it is recommended that disorders be treated first and medication utilized as a secondary measure. Medications that are used to treat comorbid mood disorders include atomoxetine, bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).).
Certain patients may have a "rebound effect" in which their ADHD symptoms get worse after stopping stimulant medication. In these instances it is possible to try a short-term trial of a low-dose stimulant medication may be beneficial.
Certain people are not able to take stimulant medications or take it because of drug misuse or other health issues like severe hypertension or heart issues. In these cases, nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These drugs do not have the same high rates of side effects as stimulants and have a lower risk for misuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can be helpful for people with ADHD. It can help them learn skills to improve their life, deal with anxiety and stress, work out conflicts, and deal with problems in relationships and at work. It can also assist with co-existing mental disorders like addiction and depression disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), mind-body cognitive therapy, as well as schema therapy. These therapies are based on the notion that a person's beliefs and thoughts affect how they behave, think and feel. CBT helps an individual identify negative thoughts and behaviors and then develop and implement positive strategies to change these. Meditation techniques are used in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help someone focus on their thoughts and emotions, control impulses, and improve executive functioning. Schema therapy, and other forms of psychotherapy that focus on the family history of a person could be beneficial for people with ADHD.
In addition to medications psychotherapy can also help with the specific problems caused by ADHD, such as trouble getting through schoolwork, resolving conflict and getting along with others, ignoring important dates or responsibilities as well as impulsive decisions that result in financial or legal troubles. Psychotherapy can help someone overcome underlying issues such as depression and anxiety that may be contributing to their ADHD symptoms.
Psychotherapy can help a person find healthy coping skills and reduce stress, such as exercising, improving sleep and healthy eating habits. It can also provide support to the family member or partner who is dealing with the effects ADHD has on their relationship. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help couples and families communicate better and learn how to manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a form of psychotherapy which focuses on changing the negative patterns of thinking that clients have. It involves a skill-based dialog with an expert in mental health to identify the root causes of the symptoms. This treatment aims to assist clients overcome their limitations and develop coping strategies that are compatible with their daily routines.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT instruct clients to recognize unhelpful thoughts and help them develop skills to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can take time. It is a viable option for those who are unable to get 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 improving the emotional symptoms, core symptoms as well as self-esteem and social functioning in adults with ADHD (Clarke and colleagues., 2017). CBT combined with methylphenidate can be particularly effective for people who suffer from more severe underlying problems.
Therapists who provide this kind of treatment work with clients to create an action plan to address their specific issues. They usually teach clients a set of practical skills that are easy to apply and have a high likelihood of success. Charts are often utilized to track progress and to reward positive behavior. For children, this could include a daily report that outlines all of the school-related tasks or positive behaviors they need to accomplish and a method of tracking and earning rewards. The therapists can also discuss the possibility that negative consequences might be imposed if a child isn't able to finish their work. This can be done with care and support.
Metacognitive Therapy
Metacognitive therapy is a newer type of psychotherapy that assists people to change their thinking. This kind of therapy can be beneficial for people with a variety of mental health problems which include depression. It's a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps people recognize their negative thinking patterns and how they affect their moods. This type of therapy can also assist in the acquisition of psychological tools that are able and useful.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning in adults with ADHD. To do this, we compared self and informant-rated daily functioning impairments with the predictors of metacognition (comprehensive Knowledge, Regulation of Cognition, Debugging, Information Management and Evaluation). The results showed that complete knowledge was associated with daily functioning among adults suffering from ADHD however, it was not associated with the processes that regulate. Metacognition predictors had moderate predictive power, which suggests that they could explain an important amount of variance in daily functioning of adults with ADHD.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an intervention that focuses on changing metacognitive beliefs that cause dysfunction and perpetuate states like 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 shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, it's still an in-development treatment, and further research will be needed to determine if it can help with other disorders.
This study was designed 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 may be more effective than other treatment. This isn't a cure, but can be utilized to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, therapists work with all family members. Everyone can gain a better understanding of the issues of the client and learn to assist their loved ones. It also helps them find ways to cope with their own frustrations and develop healthier communication skills. In addition, this type of counseling can be helpful in dealing with comorbid disorders such as depression and substance misuse which are often associated with ADHD.
The therapist will begin with an intake session to get a better understanding of the family's perspective of the problem and assess their ability to intervene with the family. This can be conducted online or in person. The therapist will discuss the nature of the treatment with each individual and set out the rules and guidelines of family therapy.
A therapist who has experience in treating adults with ADHD will ask a variety of questions to gain an understanding of the client's current symptoms, their past and their impact on their work, family life and relationships. They will also ask whether there are other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of counseling that is structured which teaches you to 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 anger and stress. This is a short-term solution that can be utilized alongside other types of psychotherapy.
Individual talk therapy can help people suffering from ADHD overcome emotional burdens resulting from long-standing patterns of underachievement and failure academic issues as well as frequent job changes and relationship conflict. It can help you learn coping and stress reduction techniques and teach you how to manage your time and finances more effectively. It can also be used to address the comorbidities, like anxiety and mood disorders, that are often associated with ADHD.