Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people suffering from ADHD have comorbid conditions like major depression (Kessler et al 2006). Many patients are not responsive to medications for depression and may benefit from psychotherapy.
Treatments that are most effective in reducing core symptoms of ADHD are those that boost and balance levels of specific neurotransmitters in the brain. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine are frequently prescribed.
Medicines
Many medications that are used to treat ADHD in children can also be used for adults. The dosages and side effects are different. The doctor will take a look at the medical history, family health history, and other medical factors of the individual to determine which drug is the best for them.
The most popular kind of ADHD medication is stimulant. It works by adjusting levels of two chemical messengers in the brain, namely norepinephrine and dopamine. Stimulants such as methylphenidate or dextro-amphe (commonly called Adderall) increase the availability of these neurotransmitters. They can improve focus and decrease aggression and impulsivity. These stimulants are available in a variety of forms, such as liquids, skin patches and chewable tablets. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferred because they lead to better patient compliance and longer lasting more smooth improvement of symptoms.
It is important to remember that co-existing conditions like depression and anxiety disorders can affect the response to ADHD medication. Therefore, it is recommended that psychiatric issues be treated first and medication utilized as a secondary measure. The drugs that can be used for comorbid mood disorders are atomoxetine (Bupropion) tricyclic antidepressants as well as bupropion (Wilens 2004).).
Some patients may suffer from an "rebound effect" where their ADHD symptoms get worse after stopping stimulant medication. In these cases it is possible to try a short-term trial of an atypical stimulant drug could prove beneficial.
Certain people are not able to take stimulant medications or are unable to take them due to abuse of drugs or other health conditions such as severe heart problems or hypertension. In these cases, non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine or viloxazine can be effective. These drugs do not have the same high rates of side effects as stimulants, and are lower risks of abuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
People suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help them develop techniques to improve their lives, deal with stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, and cope with problems in relationships and at work. It can also help people with mental disorders that coexist, like depression and addiction disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and mind-body cognitive therapy and schema therapy. These therapies are based on notion that a person's beliefs and attitudes affect how they think, feel and behave. CBT assists individuals in identifying negative patterns of behavior and thoughts and then devise and implement positive strategies to alter these. The use of meditation techniques in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help a person concentrate on their emotions and thoughts to control their impulses and improve executive functioning. Schema therapy, and other forms of psychotherapy that focus on a person's family history can be beneficial for people with ADHD.
Psychotherapy, as well as medication, can aid with specific ADHD problems, such as difficulties with schoolwork or getting along with others. It can also help in avoiding important dates and responsibilities and making decisions that are impulsive and lead to financial and legal problems. It can also assist people to identify and overcome issues that could be contributing to their ADHD symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.
Psychotherapy can assist people in finding healthy ways to cope and reduce stress. For example exercising, improving sleep and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to the family member or spouse who is struggling with the effects ADHD affects their relationship. Marriage and family therapy helps couples and families learn how to communicate better and manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on helping clients change their negative thinking patterns. It uses skill-based dialogue with an experienced mental health professional (a therapist) to address the underlying causes of their symptoms. The aim of this therapy is to overcome limitations and implement strategies for coping that align with the daily routine of the client.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT show clients how to identify unhelpful thoughts and help them build the skills to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can take some time. However, Suggested Browsing is a viable alternative for adults who are not getting adequate relief from medication.
A recent RCT study has found that when paired with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy alone in reducing the severity of the core symptoms, emotional symptoms, self-esteem and social functioning of adults suffering from ADHD (Clarke et al., 2017). CBT combined with methylphenidate can be particularly effective for people who have more serious underlying issues.
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 easy to implement and have a high likelihood of success. Typically, a chart system is used to monitor the progress of a child and reward positive behaviour. For a child, this might involve a daily report that lists all the school-related tasks or positive behavior they need to accomplish and a method of tracking and earning rewards. The therapists can also discuss the possibility that negative consequences might be introduced when a child isn't able to finish their work. This can be done in a sensitive and supportive manner.
Metacognitive Therapy
Metacognitive therapy is a brand new form of psychotherapy that helps people to change their thinking. This kind of therapy is effective for those with a variety of mental health issues, including depression. It's a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps individuals learn to recognize their negative thought patterns and how they affect their emotions. This kind of therapy can help to develop mental tools that are flexible and useful.
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning among adults suffering from ADHD. In order to do this we compared self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning with predictors of Metacognition (comprehensive Knowledge, Regulation of Cognition, Debugging, Information Management, and Evaluation). The results indicated that comprehensive knowledge was linked to daily functioning among adults suffering from ADHD, but not regulatory processes. The predictive effectiveness of a model that includes predictors of metacognition was moderate, indicating that they can account for an important portion of the variance in daily functioning of people with ADHD.
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a type of psychotherapy which focuses on changing metacognitive beliefs that cause states of worry or rumination as well as attention fixation. MCT was developed by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model created by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been proven to be effective in treating illness anxiety disorders. However, it's still a relatively new treatment and further research is required to determine if it can help with other disorders.
The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of MCT in reducing symptoms of illness anxiety disorder, but it can be applied to a range of disorders, and may be more effective than other therapies. It's important to keep in mind that this isn't an effective treatment for ADHD, but it can be employed as an adjunctive therapy.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapist works with all family members. All members can better understand the client's needs and learn how to help their loved family members. It also helps them cope with their anger and develop more effective communication skills. This type of counseling could be utilized to treat the underlying conditions, like addiction and depression which are frequently associated with ADHD.
The therapist will start with an intake session to gain a clearer understanding of the family's perspective of the issue and determine their potential for intervention by the family. It can be done online or in person. The Therapist will discuss the nature of the treatment with each person and spell out the guidelines and rules of family therapy.
A therapist with experience in treating adults with ADHD will ask lots of questions in order to gain understanding of the client's current symptoms, their past and their impact on their work and family life as well as relationships. They will also inquire whether there are other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of counseling that teaches you to control your behavior and change negative thinking patterns into positive ones. It focuses on improving self-esteem and self-control by teaching you how to manage anger and stress. It is a short-term treatment that can be combined with other types of psychotherapy.
Individual talk therapy can help people with ADHD overcome emotional burdens resulting from long-standing patterns of underachievement, failure academic struggles frequent job changes, and conflict in relationships. It can help you develop strategies for managing stress and coping and help you manage your time and money more efficiently. It can also help with problems that are comorbid, such as anxiety and mood disorders that are commonly associated with ADHD.