Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid disorders like major depressive disorder (Kessler and colleagues 2006). Many people who suffer from depression do not respond well to medications and may get better results from therapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and boost levels of certain brain chemicals. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate, amphetamine and other similar drugs.
Medicines
Adults can use many medications that are used for ADHD in children. The dosages and effects are different. A doctor will look at the medical history of the patient, family history, and other health issues to determine which medication is the best for them.
The most common ADHD medication is a stimulant. It works by altering the levels of norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain. Stimulants such as methylphenidate or dextro-amphe (commonly known as Adderall) boost the supply of these neurotransmitters. They help improve focus and reduce aggression and impulsivity. These stimulants are available in various forms, such as skin patches, liquids and chewable tablets. These long-acting stimulants are preferred because they improve patient compliance, as well as more consistent, long-lasting improvement of symptoms.
It is important to be aware that co-occurring disorders like anxiety or depression can affect the response to ADHD medication. It is therefore recommended that psychiatric disorders be treated first before medications be used as a secondary measure. The medications that are used to treat comorbid mood disorders include atomoxetine and bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).).
Certain patients might have some patients may experience a "rebound effect" where their ADHD symptoms get worse after stopping stimulant medications. In these cases it is possible to try a short-term trial of the use of a low dose stimulant medication could be helpful.
Some people are unable to tolerate stimulant medicines or are unable to take them due to abuse of drugs or other health issues, such as severe heart problems or hypertension. In these instances, non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine or viloxazine may be beneficial. These drugs do not have the same amount of adverse effects as stimulants and have a lower risk for misuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
People suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help them gain strategies to improve their lives manage anxiety and stress, work out conflicts, and cope with problems in relationships or at work. It can also help those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing such as depression and substance abuse disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and schema therapy. These therapies are based on the idea that a person's beliefs and attitudes affect how they think, feel and behave. CBT helps an individual identify negative patterns of behavior and thoughts and then develop and implement positive strategies to change these. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy uses techniques for meditation to teach a person how to concentrate on their thoughts and emotions, manage their impulses and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy, along with other forms of psychotherapy that concentrate on a person's family history can be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD.
Psychotherapy, along with medication, can assist with specific ADHD issues, like difficulty keeping up with schoolwork or interacting with others. It can also help with forgetting important dates and responsibilities, and making decisions that are impulsive and result in legal and financial issues. It can help a person overcome issues of the underlying nature, such as depression and anxiety that may contribute to their ADHD symptoms.
Psychotherapy can help people find healthy strategies for coping and decrease stress. For example, exercise, sleep improvement, and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to the family member or spouse who is struggling with the negative effects ADHD affects their relationship. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help families and couples communicate better and learn how to manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on transforming the patterns of negative thinking of the client. It involves a dialogue based on skills with a mental health professional to address the root causes of the symptoms. This therapy aims to help patients overcome limitations and develop coping strategies that are compatible with their everyday lives.
In addition to educating clients to recognize harmful thoughts, therapists who specialize in adult ADHD CBT aid them in developing abilities that enable clients to replace their negative thoughts with more productive ones. This process can take a long time. However, it is a viable option for adults who are not getting adequate relief from medication.
A recent RCT study found that when combined with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy on its own in improving the emotional symptoms, core symptoms self-esteem, and social functioning of adults with ADHD (Clarke and co., 2017). The combination of CBT and methylphenidate is especially beneficial for those suffering from more severe underlying problems.
The therapists who offer this treatment usually collaborate with the client to create an action plan that is specific to addressing their problems. They typically teach them a set of practical skills that are simple to implement and have a high chance of being successful. Typically, a chart system is used to monitor the progress of a child and reward positive behaviour. This could be an everyday report for children that details the tasks they must complete in school or the positive behaviors to be exhibited, and a system of recording and rewarding. Therapists can also talk about the possibility that negative consequences could be introduced when a child isn't able to finish their work. This can be done with care and encouragement.
Metacognitive Therapy
A newer form of therapy, metacognitive therapy, helps individuals change how they think. This kind of therapy can be beneficial to those who suffer from various mental health problems, such as depression. It is a kind of cognitive behavior therapy that assists people in recognizing negative thinking patterns and their effects on their emotions. This type of therapy helps them develop mental tools that are versatile and useful.
The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between metacognitive abilities and daily functioning in adults suffering from ADHD. To accomplish 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). how to treat adhd was found that comprehensive knowledge was connected to daily functioning in adults with ADHD however, the regulatory processes were not. The predictive effectiveness of a model that includes metacognition predictors was moderate, suggesting that they can account for significant proportions of the variation in daily functioning of people with ADHD.
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on changing metacognitive beliefs that are dysfunctional and perpetuate states of anxiety, 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 tackling anxiety disorder, but it's still relatively in its infancy and more research is required to determine its efficacy for other disorders.
This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of MCT in reducing symptoms of illness anxiety disorder, but 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 an effective treatment for ADHD but it could be employed as an alternative therapy.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapist works with the whole family. This helps all family members be aware of the issues facing the client and to understand how to help their loved one more effectively. It also helps them cope with their frustrations and build more effective communication skills. Additionally, this kind of therapy is helpful in addressing comorbid conditions such as depression and addiction to drugs, which are typically found in conjunction with ADHD.
The therapist will begin with an intake session in order to better understand the family's perception and determine if they are suitable for intervention with the family. 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 worked with adults suffering from ADHD will ask a lot of questions to get a better understanding of the current symptoms, their past, and the impact they've had on their work, family and relationships. They will also ask if any other mental issues are present, such anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of counseling that helps you learn how to manage your behavior and change negative patterns of thinking into positive ones. It concentrates on improving your self esteem and self-control through teaching techniques to cope with anger and stress. This is a temporary option that can be used in conjunction with other types psychotherapy.
Individual therapy helps those with ADHD to manage the emotional baggage that comes from failure and underachievement. It can also help them deal with conflicts in relationships as well as job changes and academic challenges. It can teach stress reduction and coping techniques as well as how to manage your time and finances. It can also be used to address the comorbidities, like anxiety and mood disorders, which are often associated with ADHD.