Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many adults suffering from ADHD also have comorbid disorders, such as major depression (Kessler and colleagues 2006). Many patients do not respond to medications for depression and may be able to benefit from psychotherapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and boost levels of certain brain chemicals. Drugs that stimulate the brain such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are frequently prescribed.
Medications
Adults can use many medications that are used for ADHD in children. However the dosages differ and the drugs can cause negative side effects that aren't present in children. The doctor will look at the medical history, family health history, and other conditions of an individual to determine which medication is the best for them.
The most popular type of ADHD medication is a stimulant. It is used to regulate levels of two chemical messengers in the brain called norepinephrine and dopamine. Stimulants like methylphenidate (also known as Adderall) and dextroamphetamine increase the availability of neurotransmitters that help improve focus, reduce impulsivity and decrease aggression. They are available in a variety of forms, including chewable tablets, liquids, and skin patches. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferable as they result in better patient compliance and longer lasting, smoother improvement of symptoms.
It is crucial to be aware that comorbid disorders such as depression or anxiety disorders can influence the response to ADHD medication. Therefore it is recommended that these psychiatric issues be treated first and medication used as a second measure. The medications that can be used to treat comorbid disorders of mood are atomoxetine (Bupropion), tricyclic antidepressants and bupropion (Wilens 2004).).
Some patients may exhibit an "rebound" effect where they experience an increase in ADHD symptoms after discontinuing stimulant medications. In these cases, a short-term trial of a low-dose stimulant medication may be helpful.
Some people are unable tolerate stimulant medication or cannot use it due to addiction to drugs or other health conditions like heart or hypertension problems that are severe. In these situations, nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine and viloxazine are effective. These medications don't have the same adverse effects as stimulants, and they are less likely to be misused or diverted.
Psychotherapy
People suffering from ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help people who suffer from ADHD learn to improve their lives, manage stress and anxiety, manage conflicts, or manage issues in their relationships or at work. It can also aid in the treatment of co-existing mental disorders like depression and addiction disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), mind-body cognitive therapy, and schema therapy. These therapies are based on the notion that a person's beliefs and thoughts affect how they feel, think and act. CBT helps a person recognize negative behaviors and thinking patterns, and then develops and implements strategies to alter them. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy employs techniques for meditation to teach a person 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 could be beneficial for people with ADHD.
Psychotherapy, along with medication, can aid with specific ADHD issues, such as difficulty keeping up with schoolwork or getting along with others. It can also help in forgetting important dates and obligations and making impulsive choices that could lead to legal and financial issues. It can assist a person overcome underlying issues such as depression and anxiety that may contribute to their ADHD symptoms.
Psychotherapy can assist people in finding healthy coping techniques and reduce stress. For example exercise, sleep improvement, and healthy eating habits. It can also offer support to the family member or spouse who is struggling with the negative effects ADHD can have on their relationship. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help couples and families learn how to communicate better and manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a kind of psychotherapy that 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 treatment is to overcome limitations and implement strategies for coping that are compatible with the client's daily life.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT teach clients to recognize unhelpful thought patterns and help them learn to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can be lengthy. It is a viable option for those who are unable to feel enough relief from their medications.
treatment of add in adults found that when combined with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy on its own in improving core symptoms, emotional symptoms self-esteem, and social functioning in adults with ADHD (Clarke et al., 2017). The combination of CBT and methylphenidate is particularly effective for those who have more severe underlying issues.
Therapists who offer this kind of treatment work with clients to develop an action plan that addresses their specific issues. They typically teach them the fundamentals of therapy that are simple to implement and have a high chance of success. Often a chart system is utilized to track the progress of a child and reward positive behaviour. This could include an everyday report for children that lists the tasks they must complete in school or the positive behaviors to be displayed, as well as an organized system for recording and rewarding rewards. Therapists can also talk about the possibility that negative consequences may be inflicted upon a child who does not complete their task. This can be done in a sensitive and supportive manner.
Metacognitive Therapy
Metacognitive therapy is an innovative kind of psychotherapy that helps people change their mindset. This kind of treatment can be effective for people who suffer from a variety of mental health problems which include depression. It is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy which assists people in recognizing negative thought patterns and their effect on their emotions. This type of therapy helps them develop mental tools that are adaptable and beneficial.
This study aimed to examine the relationship between metacognitive skills and daily functioning in adults with ADHD. To this end, we compared self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning to indicators of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge and cognition regulation, debugging, management of information, and evaluation). The results showed that complete knowledge was associated with daily functioning among adults with ADHD but not with the processes that regulate. Metacognition predictors had moderate predictive power which suggests that they could explain an important amount of variations in the daily functioning of adults suffering from ADHD.
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a form of psychotherapy which focuses on changing metacognitive beliefs that cause states of anxiety or rumination as well as 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 disorder. However, it's still an emerging treatment and further research is required to determine if it can help with other disorders.
This study was designed for evaluating the effectiveness of MCT to reduce symptoms of illness anxiety disorder. However it could be used to treat a variety disorders and could be more effective than any other treatment. This is not a cure, but can be utilized to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy the therapy therapist works with the entire family. Everyone can gain a better understanding of the client's needs and learn how they can help their loved family members. It also helps them deal with their frustrations and build better communication skills. Additionally, this kind of counseling can be helpful for addressing comorbidities such as depression or substance misuse which are often associated with ADHD.
The therapist will start with an intake session to get an understanding of the family's perception of the problem and assess their ability to intervene with the family. The session can be conducted in person or online. The Therapist will discuss the nature of treatment with each individual and set out the guidelines and rules of family therapy.
A therapist who has experience in treating adults with ADHD will ask a lot of questions to gain an understanding of the client's present symptoms, their history and their impact on their work as well as their family and social life. They will also inquire if there are any other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a structured form of counseling which teaches you to change your negative patterns of thinking and to manage your behavior. It focuses on improving self-esteem and self-control by teaching strategies to manage stress and anger. It is a short-term treatment option that can be paired with other types of psychotherapy.
Individual talk therapy can help people with ADHD overcome emotional burdens resulting from long-standing patterns of underachievement and failure, academic difficulties, frequent job changes and conflict in relationships. It can help you develop coping and stress reduction techniques and help you manage your time and money more efficiently. It can be used to treat comorbid conditions, such as mood and anxiety disorders, which are often seen alongside ADHD.