Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people suffering from ADHD have comorbid disorders like major depression (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many people who suffer from depression aren't able to take medications and may get better results from therapy.
Treatments that are most effective in reducing the most fundamental symptoms of ADHD appear to increase and balance levels of specific neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals. The most frequently prescribed stimulants include amphetamine, methylphenidate, and similar medications.
Medicines
Many of the medications used to treat ADHD in children can be used for adults. The dosages and the side effects are different. The doctor will examine the medical history, family health history, and other health conditions of the patient to determine which drug is best.
The most commonly used ADHD medication is a stimulant. It works by adjusting the levels of norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain. Stimulants such as methylphenidate (also called Adderall) and dextroamphetamine enhance the supply of neurotransmitters, which help improve concentration, decrease impulsivity, and decrease aggression. These stimulants are available in different forms, such as liquids, skin patches and chewable tablets. These stimulants that last longer are popular because they improve patient compliance, and an easier, longer-lasting improvement in symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that co-occurring disorders like anxiety or depression may affect the response to ADHD medication. Therefore, it is recommended that psychiatric disorders be treated first, with medications be used as a secondary measure. Medications that can be used to treat comorbid mood disorders include atomoxetine and bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).).
Some patients might have some patients may experience a "rebound effect" where their ADHD symptoms become worse after stopping stimulant medication. In these cases it is possible to try a short-term trial of a low-dose stimulant medication may be helpful.
Some people are unable to tolerate stimulant medication or cannot take it because of drug misuse or other health issues such as severe hypertension or heart problems. In these cases, nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These medications don't cause the same level of adverse effects as stimulants and have lower risks of abuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can be beneficial for people with ADHD. It can help people with ADHD learn how to improve their lives, deal with stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, or manage problems in their relationships or at work. It can also help with co-existing mental illnesses such as depression and substance abuse disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), mind-body cognitive therapy and schema therapy. These therapies are based upon the idea that beliefs and thoughts can influence how a person feels, thinks and acts. CBT helps an individual identify negative behaviors and thought patterns and then devise and implement strategies to change them. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy uses meditation techniques to teach a person how to concentrate on their thoughts and emotions, manage their impulses, and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy, as well as other forms of psychotherapy that concentrate on a person’s family history, may be helpful for people with ADHD.
In adhd natural treatment to medication psychotherapy can also help with the particular issues caused by ADHD problems, like having trouble keeping up with schoolwork, resolving conflict and getting along with others, ignoring important dates or responsibilities as well as impulsive decisions that can lead to legal or financial issues. It can also assist people to identify and resolve issues that contribute to their ADHD symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.
Psychotherapy can assist a person to develop healthy coping methods and reduce stress, for example exercise, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to an individual in the family or with a partner who is dealing with the effects ADHD affects their relationship. Marriage and family therapy helps families and couples learn to communicate better and manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a kind of psychotherapy that focuses on transforming the patterns of negative thinking of the client. It uses skill-based dialogue with an experienced mental health professional (a therapist) to address the root causes of their symptoms. The aim of this treatment is to overcome impairments and implement coping strategies that fit with the client's daily life.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT instruct clients to recognize unhelpful thinking patterns and assist them to learn to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can be lengthy. However, it is a viable option for those who do not receive enough relief from medications.
In the course of a recent RCT that was conducted, it was discovered that cognitive behavioral therapy combined with medication is superior over cognitive behavior therapy by itself in terms of improving core symptoms, emotional symptoms, self-esteem, and social performance in adults with ADHD (Clarke and co. 2017). CBT combined with methylphenidate can be particularly effective for those who suffer from more severe underlying problems.
Therapists who offer this kind of treatment work with their clients to develop an action plan to address their specific problems. They train them in a series of skills that are easy to learn and have a high probability of success. Often a chart system is used to track the progress of a child and reward positive behavior. This might include a daily report for children that details the tasks they must complete in school or the positive behaviors to be exhibited, and an approach to monitoring and earning rewards. The therapists can also discuss the possibility that negative consequences could be inflicted upon a child who isn't able to finish their work. This can be done with sensitivity and support.
Metacognitive Therapy
A newer form of therapy, metacognitive therapy assists individuals in changing how they think. This kind of therapy could be beneficial for those who suffer from a range of mental health issues, such as depression. It is a kind of cognitive behavior therapy that helps people recognize negative thought patterns and their effects on their moods. This type of therapy can also assist in the acquisition of psychological tools that are adaptable and useful.
The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning in adults with ADHD. To this end, we evaluated the self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning to predictors of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge, regulation of cognition, debugging, management of information, and evaluation). The results showed that complete knowledge was associated with daily functioning in adults with ADHD, but not regulation processes. The predictors of metacognition had a 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 treatment that focuses on transforming dysfunctional metacognitive belief patterns that perpetuate mental states such as worry, rumination and attention fixation. MCT was developed by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model created by Wells and Gerald Matthews. A case series has proven the effectiveness of MCT in reducing anxiety, but it's still a relatively new concept and more research is required to determine its effectiveness for other disorders.
This study was conceived to assess the effectiveness of MCT to reduce symptoms of anxiety disorder. However, it can be used to treat a variety disorders and is more effective than other treatment. It is important to keep it in mind that this is not a cure for ADHD however it can be employed as an alternative therapy.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapy therapist works with the entire family. All members can better understand the client's issues and learn how to help their loved ones. It also assists them in finding ways to cope with their own feelings of frustration and improve their communication skills. This kind of counseling can also be used to address other comorbidities, such as substance abuse and depression, which are often seen with ADHD.
The therapist will begin with an intake session in order to gain a better understanding of the family's perspective and determine if they're appropriate for family intervention. This can be done online or in person. The counselor will go over the details of the treatment with each person and spell out the guidelines and rules of family therapy.
A therapist with had experience working 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 that they have on their work, family, and relationships. They will also ask whether there are any other mental health issues that are present like depression or anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured type of counseling that teaches you how to control your behavior and change negative thinking patterns to positive ones. It focuses on improving your self esteem and self-control through teaching methods to deal with stress and anger. This is a short-term option that can be used in conjunction with other forms of psychotherapy.
Individual therapy can help people with ADHD to deal with the emotional baggage that comes from underachievement and failure. It can also assist them in dealing with conflicts in relationships or job changes as well as academic difficulties. It can teach stress reduction and coping techniques, and how to better manage your financial and time management. It can also be used to address other comorbid conditions like mood and anxiety disorders, which are often seen alongside ADHD.