Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many adults with ADHD have comorbid disorders such as major depression (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many depressed patients do not respond well to medication and could benefit from therapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and boost levels of certain brain chemicals. The most frequently prescribed stimulants include amphetamine, methylphenidate, and similar drugs.
Medicines
Many medications that are used to treat ADHD in children can also be used on adults. However, the dosages are different and the drugs can cause adverse effects that aren't common in children. A doctor will take into consideration the individual's medical history, family history and other health conditions to determine what medication is most suitable for him or her.
The most popular kind of ADHD medication is a stimulant. It is used to regulate levels of two chemical messengers within the brain, norepinephrine as well as dopamine. The stimulants methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine (commonly known as Adderall) increase the amount of these neurotransmitters. They can improve focus and decrease impulsivity and aggression. These stimulants are available in different forms, including skin patches, liquids and chewable tablets. These long-acting stimulants are favored as they lead to better patient compliance and a smoother, longer-lasting improvement in symptoms.
It is important to remember that comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression may alter the effectiveness of ADHD medications. Therefore, it is recommended that these psychiatric problems be treated first, and medication used as secondary measure. Medications that can be used to treat comorbid mood disorders include atomoxetine, bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).
Some patients may exhibit a "rebound" effect, where they experience an increase in ADHD symptoms after discontinuing stimulant medication. In these cases an experiment of a short duration with a low-dose stimulant medication may prove beneficial.
Some people are unable take stimulant medication or take it due to the misuse of drugs or other health conditions such as heart or hypertension problems that are severe. In these cases, non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and viloxazine are effective. These medications don't cause the same negative side effects as stimulants, and they are less likely to be abused or misused.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD. It can help people with ADHD to improve their lives, deal with stress and anxiety, resolve 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, such as depression and addiction disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as mind-body cognitive therapy, and schema therapy. adhd untreated in adults are based upon the idea that thoughts and beliefs influence how a person behaves, thinks and feels. CBT helps an individual identify negative thoughts and behaviors and then devise and implement strategies to alter these. Meditation techniques are employed in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help a person concentrate on their thoughts and emotions as well as control their impulses and improve executive functioning. Schema therapy, as well as other forms of psychotherapy that focus on a person's family history can be beneficial for people suffering from ADHD.
In addition to medicines, psychotherapy can help address the specific issues that arise from ADHD like difficulty keeping up with schoolwork, resolving conflicts and being able to get along with others, forgetting important dates or responsibilities and making impulsive choices that lead to legal or financial problems. It can also assist a person explore and resolve issues that may be contributing to their ADHD symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.
Psychotherapy can help a person develop healthy coping strategies and reduce stress, such as exercising, improving sleep and healthy eating habits. It can also provide support to a spouse or family 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)
CBT is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on changing the negative patterns of thinking that clients have. It involves a dialogue based on skills with an expert in mental health to identify the root causes of the symptoms. The aim of this therapy is to eliminate impairments and implement coping strategies that fit 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 time. However, it's a good option for adults who do not receive enough relief from their medication.
A recent RCT study found that when paired with medication, CBT is superior to CBT on its own in reducing the core symptoms, emotional symptoms, self-esteem and social functioning of adults with ADHD (Clarke and co., 2017). CBT combined with methylphenidate can be particularly effective for people who have more serious underlying issues.
The therapists who provide this treatment usually work with the client to create an action plan that is specific to solving their issues. They typically teach them a series of practical skills that are easy to implement and have a good chance of success. Charts are typically used to monitor progress, and reward positive behaviors. This could be the daily report of a child that outlines the tasks they must complete in school or the positive behavior that must be demonstrated, and an organized system for tracking and rewarding rewards. Therapists may also discuss the possibility that negative consequences may be inflicted upon a child who isn't able to finish their work. This can be done in a very sensitive and calming manner.
Metacognitive Therapy
Metacognitive therapy is a brand new type of psychotherapy that assists people to change their thinking. This kind of treatment is effective for those with a variety of mental health issues, including depression. It is a type of cognitive behavior therapy that helps people learn to recognize negative thought patterns and their impact on their emotions. This type of therapy helps individuals develop mental tools that are adaptable and beneficial.
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between metacognitive abilities and daily functioning in adults with ADHD. In order to do this we compared self- and informant-rated daily functioning impairments with predictors of Metacognition (comprehensive Knowledge, Regulation of Cognition, Debugging Information Management, and Evaluation). It was observed that comprehensive knowledge was connected to daily functioning in adults with ADHD but that regulatory processes were not. The predictive ability of a model incorporating metacognition predictors was moderate, suggesting that they can account for significant proportions of the variation in daily functioning for people with ADHD.
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on modifying dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs that perpetuate states of worry or rumination as well as attention fixation. Adrian Wells developed MCT based on a model of information processing by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been shown to be effective in treating illness 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 created to assess the effectiveness of MCT to treat symptoms of illness anxiety disorder. However it is also able to treat a variety of disorders and could be more effective than other therapy. This isn't a cure, but can be used to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapist works with all family members. Everyone can gain a better understanding of the issues of the client and learn how they can help their loved family members. It also helps them cope with their frustrations and develop more effective communication skills. Additionally, this type of counseling can be helpful in addressing comorbid conditions such as depression and substance misuse which are often found in conjunction with ADHD.
The therapist will commence with an intake session in order to gain a clearer understanding of the family's view of the issue and determine their potential for intervention by the family. This can be done in person or via the internet. The therapist will discuss the nature of the treatment with each person and spell out the do's and don'ts of family therapy.
A therapist with worked with adults suffering from ADHD will ask a lot of questions to get a better understanding of their present symptoms, their past, and the impact that they have on their work, family and relationships. They will also inquire whether any other mental health issues are present, like anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured kind of counseling that helps you learn how to manage your behavior and transform negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. It focuses on boosting self-esteem and self-control by educating you on how to cope with stress and anger. This is a temporary option that can be utilized alongside other types of psychotherapy.
Individual therapy helps those with ADHD to deal with the emotional baggage that comes from failing and underachievement. It can also assist them in dealing with conflicts in relationships as well as job changes and academic issues. It can teach you coping and stress reduction techniques and help you manage your time and money more effectively. It can be used to treat other comorbid conditions like mood and anxiety disorders, that are often associated with ADHD.