Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid conditions such as major depression (Kessler and colleagues 2006). Many patients who are depressed aren't able to take medications and may be able to benefit from therapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and boost levels of certain brain chemicals. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are often prescribed.
Medicines
Adults can take a variety of drugs that are prescribed for ADHD in children. The dosages and side effects can be different. A doctor will take into consideration the medical history of the patient, family history, and other health conditions to determine which medication is best for him or her.
The most common kind of ADHD medication is stimulant. It adjusts levels of two chemical messengers within the brain, namely norepinephrine and dopamine. Stimulants like methylphenidate and dextro-amphetamine (commonly called Adderall) increase the availability of these neurotransmitters, which help improve focus and reduce aggression and impulsivity. These stimulants are available in different forms, including liquids, skin patches and chewable tablets. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferred because they lead to better patient compliance and longer lasting more smooth improvement in symptoms.
It is important to remember that comorbidities like anxiety and depression may alter the effectiveness of ADHD medications. Therefore, it is recommended that these psychiatric issues be treated first, and then medication used as a second measure. Medications that can be used to treat comorbid psychiatric disorders include atomoxetine, bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).
Some patients may exhibit an "rebound" effect where they experience a worsening of ADHD symptoms after discontinuing stimulant medications. In these instances an experiment of a short duration with 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 issues such as severe hypertension or heart problems. In these situations, nonstimulant drugs like atomoxetine or viloxazine are effective. These medications do not cause the same high rates of adverse effects as stimulants, and are less risk of abuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
People suffering from ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help them learn strategies to improve their lives manage stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, and deal with problems in relationships or at work. It can also help co-existing mental disorders like addiction and depression disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and mind-body cognitive therapy, and schema therapy. These therapies are based upon the idea that beliefs and thoughts can influence how a person is feeling, thinks and behaves. CBT helps an individual identify negative thoughts and behaviors and then devise and implement strategies to change them. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy uses meditation techniques to teach people how to concentrate on their thoughts and emotions, manage their impulses, and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy and other forms of psychotherapy that focus on a person's history with their family may be useful for people who suffer from ADHD who have significant secondary problems.
Psychotherapy, as well as medication, can help with specific ADHD issues, such as difficulties with schoolwork or getting along with other people. It can also assist in avoiding important dates and responsibilities, and making impulsive choices that could lead to legal and financial problems. Psychotherapy can also help individuals to address and overcome underlying issues that contribute to their ADHD symptoms, like anxiety or depression.
Psychotherapy can help people find healthy ways to cope and reduce stress. For example, exercise, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also provide support to a family or partner member who is struggling 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 kind of psychotherapy which focuses on helping clients overcome their negative patterns of thinking. It involves a skill-based dialog with a mental health professional to address the root causes of the symptoms. This treatment aims to help patients overcome impairments and develop coping skills that are appropriate to their daily lives.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT instruct clients how to identify unhelpful thought patterns and help them develop skills to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can be lengthy. However, it's a good alternative for adults who do not receive enough relief from their medication.
In an upcoming RCT that was conducted, it was discovered that cognitive behavioral therapy combined with medication is superior over cognitive behavior therapy by itself when it comes to improving the core symptoms, emotional symptoms, self-esteem, and social performance in adults with ADHD (Clarke and co. 2017). CBT combined with methylphenidate can be particularly effective for those with more serious underlying issues.
The therapists who provide this treatment usually collaborate with the client to develop a detailed action plan for solving their issues. They typically teach them the fundamentals of therapy that are easy to implement and have a high chance of success. A chart system is often used to monitor the progress of a child and reward positive behaviour. In the case of a child, this might be a daily journal that lists all the school-related activities or positive behaviors they have to perform, as well as a system for recording and earning rewards. The therapists can also discuss the possibility that negative consequences may be inflicted upon a child who fails to complete their tasks. This can be done in a very sensitive and supportive manner.
Metacognitive Therapy
Metacognitive therapy is an innovative type of psychotherapy that assists people to change their thinking. This kind of therapy is effective for those with a variety of mental health issues, including depression. It's a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that assists people to identify their negative thoughts and how they affect their emotions. treatment of add of therapy can help to develop psychological tools that can be versatile and useful.
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning in adults with ADHD. To accomplish 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). It was discovered that the comprehensive knowledge of people was linked 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 an important amount of variations in the daily functioning of adults suffering from ADHD.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an treatment which focuses on reversing dysfunctional metacognitive belief patterns that perpetuate states like worry, rumination, and attention fixation. MCT was developed by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model created by Wells and Gerald Matthews. A case series has proven the effectiveness of MCT in tackling anxiety disorder, but it's still relatively in its infancy and more research is required to determine its effectiveness in other disorders.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of MCT in reducing symptoms of illness anxiety disorder, however it can be applied to a range of disorders and could be more effective than other treatments. It is important to keep in mind that this isn't a cure for ADHD but it could be employed as an adjunctive therapy.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, therapists work with all members of the family. This helps all family members be aware of the issues facing the client and to learn how they can support their loved one better. It also helps them deal with their frustrations and develop more effective communication skills. Additionally, this type of therapy is helpful in dealing with comorbid disorders such as depression and substance misuse which are often found in conjunction with ADHD.
The therapist will start with an intake session to get an understanding of the family's perspective of the problem and assess their ability to intervene with the family. This can be conducted either in person or online. The therapist will explain to each participant the purpose of therapy and the rules for family therapy.
A therapist with experience treating adults suffering from ADHD will ask a lot of questions to gain understanding of the client's present symptoms, their past and their impacts on their work, family life and relationships. They will also inquire whether any other mental health issues are present, such anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured kind of counseling that teaches you how to manage your behavior and change negative thinking patterns into positive ones. It focuses on improving your self esteem and self-control by teaching strategies to manage anxiety and stress. This is a short-term option that can be used in conjunction with other forms of psychotherapy.
Individual therapy can help those with ADHD overcome emotional trauma from a long-running pattern of failure, underachievement academic struggles frequent job changes, and relationship conflict. It can help you learn stress reduction and coping techniques, and how to manage your time and finances. It can also address the comorbidity of disorders like anxiety and mood disorders, which are often seen as a result of ADHD.