Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people suffering from ADHD have comorbid conditions such as major depression (Kessler and co., 2006). Many patients who are depressed are not able to respond well to medication and may be able to benefit from therapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and increase 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. The doctor will take a look at the medical history, the family health history and other conditions of an individual to determine which drug is best.
The most popular kind of ADHD medication is stimulant and adjusts levels of two chemical messengers within the brain, namely norepinephrine and dopamine. Stimulants such as methylphenidate (also called Adderall), and dextroamphetamine boost the supply of neurotransmitters that help improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and reduce aggression. These stimulants are available in a variety of forms, such as skin patches, liquids and chewable tablets. treat adult adhd that last longer are popular because they improve patient compliance, as well as an easier, longer-lasting improvement in symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that comorbid conditions like depression or anxiety disorders can affect the response to ADHD medication. It is therefore recommended that psychiatric disorders be treated first, with medication used as secondary measure. Some medications that can be used to treat comorbid psychiatric disorders include bupropion, atomoxetine and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).
Certain patients may suffer from a "rebound effect" where their ADHD symptoms become worse after stopping stimulant medications. In these instances, a short trial of a low dose of stimulant medication may be helpful.
Certain people are not able to take stimulant medications or take it due to the misuse of drugs or other health issues like severe hypertension or heart problems. 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 they are less likely to be abused or diverted.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is a great option for those with ADHD. It can help those with ADHD to improve their lives, deal with anxiety and stress, resolve conflicts, or cope with issues at work or in relationships. It can also aid those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing like depression and substance use disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and mind-body cognitive therapy and schema therapy. These therapies are based on the idea that beliefs and thoughts can influence how someone is feeling, thinks and behaves. CBT helps a person identify negative behaviors and thinking patterns, and then develops and implements positive strategies to alter them. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy uses techniques for meditation to teach people how to focus on their thoughts and emotions, manage their impulses, and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy, and other forms psychotherapy that focus on the family history of a person, may be helpful for those suffering from ADHD.
In addition to medicines, psychotherapy can help address the particular issues caused by ADHD, such as trouble staying on track with schoolwork, resolving conflict and being able to get along with others, ignoring important dates or obligations and making impulsive choices that can lead to legal or financial problems. It can help a person overcome the root issues like 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 exercising, improving sleep, and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to the family member or partner who is dealing with the effects ADHD can have on their relationship. Marriage and family therapy can help families and couples improve communication and learn to manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of psychotherapy which focuses on changing the client's negative thinking patterns. It employs dialogue based on skill with an experienced mental health professional (a therapist) to address the underlying causes of their symptoms. The aim of this therapy is to overcome the limitations and implement coping strategies that align with the person's everyday life.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT show clients to recognize harmful thought patterns and help them develop skills to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can take a long time. However, it's a good option for those who aren't getting enough relief from medications.
In the course of a recent RCT that was conducted, it was discovered that cognitive behavioral therapy paired with medication is superior to cognitive behavior therapy on its own when it comes to improving core symptoms, emotional symptom self-esteem, and social performance in adults with ADHD (Clarke and colleagues. 2017). The combination of CBT and methylphenidate is particularly effective for those with more severe underlying problems.
Therapists who offer this kind of treatment work with clients to devise an action plan that addresses their specific issues. They typically teach them the fundamentals of therapy that are simple to implement and have a good chance of success. Charts are typically utilized to track progress and to reward positive behavior. This could include an everyday report for a child that outlines the tasks they have to complete in school or the positive behavior that must be demonstrated, and an approach to monitoring and rewarding. The therapists may also consider creating negative consequences if children fail to finish their tasks. This can be done with sensitivity and encouragement.
Metacognitive Therapy
A newer form of therapy, metacognitive therapy, helps individuals change how they think. This kind of therapy can be effective for people with a variety of mental health problems which include depression. It is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy which helps people learn to recognize negative thought patterns and their effects on their emotions. This kind of therapy can also assist in the acquisition of psychological tools that are adaptable and effective.
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning in adults suffering from 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 observed that the comprehensive knowledge of people was linked to daily functioning in adults with ADHD but that regulatory processes were not. The predictive power of a model with predictors of metacognition was moderate, suggesting that they can account for an important portion of the variation in the daily functioning of people with ADHD.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an intervention which focuses on reversing dysfunctional metacognitive belief patterns that perpetuate mental states such as worry, rumination, and attention fixation. Adrian Wells developed MCT based on a model of information processing developed by Wells and Gerald Matthews. A case series has proven the effectiveness of MCT in managing illness anxiety disorder, however it's still relatively new and more research is required to determine its effectiveness for other disorders.
This study was created to evaluate the efficacy of MCT to reduce symptoms of anxiety disorder. However it is also able to treat a variety disorders and may be more effective than other therapy. It is important to keep it in mind that this is not an effective treatment for ADHD but it could be employed as an adjunctive therapy.
Family Therapy
In family therapy the therapy therapist works with the entire family. This allows all members to learn about the client's issues and to learn how they can support their loved one more effectively. It also helps them find ways to deal with their own frustrations and develop healthier 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 to get a better understanding of the family's perception of the problem and assess their suitability for family intervention. It can be done online or in person. The therapist will discuss the nature of the therapy with each individual and set out the guidelines and rules of family therapy.
A therapist with had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD will ask a lot of questions to gain insight into their present symptoms, their past, and the impact they've had on their work, family, and relationships. They will also ask if there are any other mental health issues present, such as depression or anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of counseling that teaches you how to control your behavior and change negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. It focuses on improving your self-esteem and self-control through teaching methods to deal with stress and anger. This is a short-term option that can be used in conjunction with other types psychotherapy.
Individual talk therapy can help people suffering from ADHD deal with emotional baggage from longstanding patterns of underachievement and failure academic struggles frequent job changes, and conflict in relationships. It can teach you ways to manage stress and cope and teach you how to manage your time and money more effectively. It can also be used to address other comorbid conditions like mood and anxiety disorders, which are often seen alongside ADHD.