Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people with ADHD also have comorbid disorders, such as major depression (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many people who suffer from depression do not respond well to medication and could get better results from therapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and increase levels of certain brain chemicals. Commonly prescribed stimulants include amphetamine, methylphenidate and similar drugs.
Medicines
Many of the medications used to treat ADHD in children can also be used in adults. The dosages and effects differ. A doctor will take into consideration the individual's medical history, family history and other health issues to determine what medication is best for them.
The most common type of ADHD medication is a stimulant. It is used to regulate levels of two chemical messengers in the brain, norepinephrine as well as dopamine. The stimulants like methylphenidate (also called Adderall) and dextroamphetamine increase the availability of neurotransmitters that help improve concentration, decrease impulsivity, and reduce aggression. These stimulants are available in various forms, such as skin patches, liquids and chewable tablets. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferred because they provide greater patient compliance and a longer lasting more smooth improvement of symptoms.
It is crucial to keep in mind that co-existing conditions like depression and anxiety disorders can influence the response to ADHD medications. Therefore, it is recommended that mental health issues be treated first before medication is used as a secondary measure. Some medications that can be used to treat comorbid mood disorders include atomoxetine, bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).
Some patients may experience a "rebound" effect, where they experience an increase in ADHD symptoms after discontinuing stimulant medication. In these instances, a short-term trial of the use of a low dose stimulant medication could be beneficial.
Some people cannot tolerate stimulant drugs or are unable to take them due to drug abuse or other health conditions like heart issues that are severe or hypertension. In these cases, non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and viloxazine may be beneficial. These medications don't cause the same amount of side effects as stimulants, and are less risk of abuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD. It can help people who suffer from ADHD learn to improve their lives, manage stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, or manage issues in their relationships or at work. It can also assist with co-existing mental disorders like addiction and depression disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and mind-body cognitive therapy, as well as schema therapy. These therapies are based on the notion that thoughts and beliefs can influence how a person feels, thinks and acts. CBT helps a person recognize negative behaviors and thinking patterns, and then formulates and implements positive strategies to change these patterns. Meditation techniques are used in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help people concentrate on their emotions and thoughts as well as control their impulses and improve executive functioning. treatment of add in adults , and other forms of psychotherapy that focus on the family history of a person, may be helpful for people suffering from ADHD.
Psychotherapy, as well as medication, can aid with specific ADHD issues, like difficulty keeping up with schoolwork or interacting with other people. It can also help in forgetting important dates and obligations and making impulsive decisions that can could lead to legal and financial problems. It can also help a person explore and resolve issues that may be contributing to their ADHD symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.
Psychotherapy can help people discover healthy coping techniques and reduce stress. For example, exercise, sleep improvement, and healthy eating habits. It can also provide support to a partner or family member who may be dealing 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 form of psychotherapy which focuses on helping clients to change their negative thinking patterns. It involves a dialogue based on skills with an expert in mental health to identify the root reason for the symptoms. The aim of this therapy is to eliminate limitations and implement strategies for coping that are compatible with the person's everyday life.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT instruct clients to recognize harmful thinking patterns and assist them to build the skills to replace them with more productive thoughts. The process can be long. It is a viable option for those who cannot feel enough relief from their medications.
A recent RCT study has found that when paired with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy on its own in reducing the severity of core symptoms, emotional symptoms, self-esteem and social functioning of adults suffering from ADHD (Clarke and colleagues., 2017). The combination of CBT and methylphenidate is particularly effective for those with more severe underlying problems.
Therapists who provide this kind of treatment work with their clients to develop an action plan to address the specific issues they face. They typically teach them a set of practical skills that are simple to implement and have a good chance of being successful. Charts are typically used to track progress and to reward positive behavior. This could include a daily report for children that lists the tasks they are required to complete at school, or the positive behaviors that need to be exhibited, and an approach to monitoring and earning rewards. The therapists may also consider the introduction of negative consequences if a child does not complete their work. This can be done in a sensitive and supportive manner.
Metacognitive Therapy
A newer type of therapy, metacognitive therapy, helps people change the way they think. This type of treatment can be beneficial for people with a variety of mental health problems, including depression. It's a kind of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps people recognize their negative thinking patterns and how they impact their emotions. This kind of therapy can also help them acquire psychological tools that are able and beneficial.
The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning in adults with ADHD. To do this we compared self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning with the predictors of metacognition (comprehensive Knowledge, Regulation of Cognition, Debugging Information Management and Evaluation). The results indicated that comprehensive knowledge was associated with daily functioning in adults with ADHD but not with the processes that regulate. Metacognition predictors had moderate predictive power, which indicates that they can explain an important amount of variations in the daily functioning of adults with ADHD.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an intervention that focuses on changing dysfunctional metacognitive belief patterns that perpetuate states such as worry, rumination and attention fixation. MCT was developed by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been proven to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. However, it is still a relatively new treatment and further research is needed to determine if it can help with other disorders.
This study was created to evaluate the effectiveness of MCT in decreasing symptoms of anxiety disorder, but it can be applied to a range of disorders and could be more effective than other treatments. This is not a cure, but it could be utilized to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the Therapist works with the entire family. All members can better understand the issues of the client and learn to assist their loved ones. It also helps them deal with their frustrations and build more effective communication skills. This type of counseling can also be used to address other comorbidities, such as addiction and depression which are frequently associated with ADHD.
The therapist will begin with an intake session to get a better understanding of the family's perception of the problem and evaluate their suitability for family intervention. This can be done in person or via the internet. The counselor will go over the details of the treatment with each client and lay out the rules and guidelines of family therapy.
A therapist with experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD will ask lots of questions to gain an insight into the client's current symptoms, their past and their impact on their work life as well as their family and social life. They will also ask if there are any other mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured kind of counseling that teaches you to manage your behavior and change negative thinking patterns into positive ones. It focuses on improving self-esteem and self-control by teaching you how to handle stress and anger. It is a short-term treatment option that can be paired with other forms of psychotherapy.
Individual therapy can help people with ADHD to overcome the emotional baggage that comes from underachievement and failure. It can also assist them in dealing problems with relationships as well as job changes and academic challenges. It can teach you coping and stress reduction techniques and teach you how to manage your time and finances more effectively. It can be used to treat other comorbid conditions like anxiety and mood disorders that are often associated with ADHD.