Treatment Adult ADHD: A Simple Definition Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders


Many adults with ADHD have comorbid conditions like major depression (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many patients are not responsive to medication for depression and may be able to benefit from psychotherapy.

Medications that most effectively improve the symptoms of ADHD appear to increase and balance levels of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Drugs that stimulate the brain such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are frequently prescribed.

Medications

A variety of medications used to treat ADHD in children can be used on adults. The dosages and side effects are different. The doctor will look at the medical history, the family health history, and other health conditions of the patient to determine which drug is best.

The most common kind of ADHD medication is stimulant and works by adjusting levels of two chemical messengers within the brain, namely norepinephrine and dopamine. Stimulants like methylphenidate (also called Adderall) and dextroamphetamine increase the availability of neurotransmitters, which help improve focus, reduce impulsivity and reduce aggression. These stimulants are available in a variety of forms, including skin patches, liquids and chewable tablets. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferable because they provide better patient compliance and longer lasting more smooth improvement of symptoms.

It is important to remember that co-existing conditions like depression and anxiety disorders can affect the response to ADHD medication. Therefore, it is recommended that psychiatric disorders be treated first before medications be used as a secondary measure. The medications that can be used for comorbidity disorders include atomoxetine (Bupropion), tricyclic antidepressants, and bupropion (Wilens 2004).).

Some patients may experience a "rebound" effect where they experience an increase in ADHD symptoms after discontinuing stimulant medications. In these instances, a short-term trial of the use of a low dose stimulant medication could prove beneficial.

Certain people are not able to take stimulant medications or take it because of the misuse of drugs or other health conditions such as heart or hypertension problems that are severe. In these situations, non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These medications don't cause the same side effects as stimulants, and are less likely to be abused or diverted.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD. It can help those with ADHD learn how to improve their lives, manage stress and anxiety, manage conflicts, or manage problems in their relationships or at work. It can also aid in the treatment of those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing, like depression and addiction disorders.

Talk treatments of adhd include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as well as schema therapy. These treatments are based on the idea that beliefs and thoughts can affect how a person behaves, thinks and feels. CBT assists individuals in identifying negative behaviors and thought patterns and then develop and implement strategies to change these. Meditation techniques are employed in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help people focus on their emotions and thoughts as well as control their impulses and improve executive functioning. Schema therapy, along with other forms psychotherapy that focus on a person’s family history could be beneficial for people with ADHD.

Psychotherapy, in addition to medication, can assist with specific ADHD issues, like 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. It can also assist people to identify and resolve issues that be contributing to their ADHD symptoms, like anxiety or depression.

Psychotherapy can help people find healthy strategies for coping and decrease stress. For example exercise, sleep improvement, and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to an individual in the family or with a partner who is dealing with the negative effects ADHD affects their relationship. Marriage and family therapy can help families and couples communicate better and understand how to manage ADHD symptoms together.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT is a form of psychotherapy that is focused on helping clients change their negative thinking patterns. It involves a skill-based dialog with a mental health professional to identify the root causes of the symptoms. This treatment is designed to assist clients overcome their limitations and develop coping strategies that are in line with their daily routines.

In addition, they teach clients to recognize harmful thoughts, those who specialize in adult ADHD CBT assist them in developing abilities that enable them to replace negative thoughts with more productive ones. This process can take a while. However, it is a viable option for adults who do not receive enough relief from medication.

A recent RCT study found that when paired with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy alone in reducing core symptoms, emotional symptoms as well as self-esteem and social functioning of adults with ADHD (Clarke and co., 2017). CBT coupled with methylphenidate could be particularly effective for people who have more serious underlying issues.

The therapists who offer this kind of treatment usually collaborate with the client to develop an action plan specific to solving their issues. They teach them a set of practical skills which are easy to learn and have a good chance of success. A chart system is often used to track progress and to reward positive behavior. This might include the daily report of a child that outlines the tasks they have to complete in school or the positive behavior that must be displayed, as well as an organized system for monitoring and rewarding rewards. Therapists can also discuss the possibility of the introduction of negative consequences if children fail to finish their tasks. This can be done in a sensitive and supportive way.

Metacognitive Therapy

Metacognitive therapy is an innovative kind of psychotherapy that helps people change their mindset. This type of treatment is effective for those suffering from a range of mental health issues such as depression. It is a kind of cognitive behavior therapy that helps people learn to recognize negative thought patterns and their impact on their moods. This type of therapy helps them develop mental tools that are flexible and useful.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between metacognitive skills and daily functioning among adults with ADHD. To achieve this we compared self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning to predictors of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge as well as regulation of cognition, debugging, information management and evaluation). It was observed that comprehensive knowledge was related to daily functioning in adults with ADHD but that regulatory processes were not. Metacognition predictors had moderate predictive power which indicates that they can explain a significant amount of variation in the daily functioning of adults suffering from ADHD.

Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on modifying metacognitive beliefs that cause states of anxiety 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 in-development treatment and more research is needed to determine if it can help with other disorders.

This study was conceived to evaluate the efficacy of MCT to reduce symptoms of anxiety disorder. However, it can be used to treat a variety disorders and could be more effective than other treatment. It is important to keep in mind that this is not a cure for ADHD but it could be employed as an adjunctive therapy.

Family Therapy

In family therapy, the therapist collaborates with all members of the family. This allows everyone to learn about the client's issues and to learn how they can support their loved ones better. It also helps them find ways to deal with their own anxieties and improve their communication skills. This type of counseling can be used to tackle other comorbidities, such as addiction and depression, which are often seen as part of ADHD.

The therapist will start with an intake session to gain a better understanding of the family's perspective of the problem and evaluate their suitability for family intervention. This can be conducted either in person or online. The Therapist will explain to each client the nature of treatment as well as the rules and regulations for family therapy.

A therapist with had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD asks a lot questions to get a better understanding of their present symptoms as well as their history and the impact they have on their work, family and relationships. They will also inquire whether any other mental health issues are present, such depression or anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured type of counseling that helps you learn how to manage your behavior and transform negative thinking patterns to positive ones. It concentrates on improving your self esteem and self-control by teaching techniques to cope with anger and stress. This is a short-term solution that can be utilized in conjunction with other types psychotherapy.

Individual therapy can help people with ADHD deal with emotional burdens resulting from long-standing patterns of failure, underachievement, academic difficulties frequent job changes, and conflicts in relationships. It can teach you coping and stress reduction techniques and teach you how to manage your time and money more effectively. It can also help with comorbid disorders such as anxiety and mood disorders that are commonly associated with ADHD.