Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many adults with ADHD also suffer from comorbid conditions, such as major depressive disorder (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many depressed patients do not respond well to medications and may benefit from therapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and boost levels of certain brain chemicals. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are amphetamine, methylphenidate, and similar drugs.
Medications
Adults can use many drugs that are prescribed for ADHD in children. The dosages and the side effects can be different. The doctor will examine the medical history, the family health history, and other medical conditions of an individual to determine which medicine is the best for them.
The most well-known ADHD medication is a stimulant. It works by adjusting the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. The stimulants like methylphenidate (also known as Adderall), and dextroamphetamine enhance the supply of neurotransmitters, which help improve focus, reduce impulsivity and decrease aggression. These stimulants are available in various forms, such as skin patches, liquids, and chewable tablets. These long-acting stimulants are favored because they improve patient compliance and more consistent, long-lasting improvement in symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that co-occurring disorders like anxiety or depression can affect the response to ADHD medication. Therefore, it is recommended that these psychiatric problems be treated first, with medication used as secondary measure. Some medications that are used to treat comorbid mood disorders include atomoxetine and bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).
Some patients might experience some patients may experience a "rebound effect" where their ADHD symptoms get worse after stopping stimulant medications. In these instances, a brief trial of a low dose of stimulant medication could be beneficial.
Some people are unable to take stimulant medication or take it because of the misuse of drugs or other health issues such as heart or hypertension problems that are severe. In these instances, non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine or viloxazine may be beneficial. These medications don't cause the same level of adverse effects as stimulants, and are a lower risk for misuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
People suffering from ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help them gain skills to improve their life, deal with anxiety and stress, resolve conflicts, and cope with problems in relationships or at work. It can also help those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing like depression and addiction disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as mind-body cognitive therapy, and schema therapy. These therapies are based upon the notion that beliefs and thoughts can influence how a person behaves, thinks and feels. CBT helps people identify negative behaviors and thinking patterns, and then develops and implements strategies to alter them. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy employs meditation techniques to help a person learn to focus on their thoughts and emotions, manage their impulses, and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy, as well as other forms of psychotherapy focusing on a person's family history could be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD who suffer from significant secondary problems.
In addition to medicines psychotherapy can assist in addressing the particular issues caused by ADHD problems, like having trouble staying on track with schoolwork, resolving conflicts, getting together with others, losing important dates or obligations, and impulsive decisions that lead to legal or financial issues. It can also assist individuals to address and overcome issues that could be contributing to their ADHD symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.
Psychotherapy can help people find healthy strategies for coping and decrease stress. For example exercising, improving sleep, 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. Therapy for families and marriage helps couples and families learn how to communicate better and manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a type of psychotherapy that is focused on helping clients overcome their negative thoughts. It uses skill-based dialogue with a trained mental health professional (a therapist) to address the underlying causes of their symptoms. The aim of this therapy is to eliminate impairments and implement coping strategies that fit with the daily routine of the client.
In addition to teaching clients to recognize unhelpful thoughts, therapists who specialize in adult ADHD CBT assist them in developing skills that allow them to replace unhelpful thinking with more productive ones. This process can take time. It is an option for those who are unable to feel enough relief from their medications.
A recent RCT study found that when combined with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy alone in improving core symptoms, emotional symptoms self-esteem, and social functioning of adults with ADHD (Clarke and colleagues. 2017). CBT combined with methylphenidate can be particularly effective for those who have more severe underlying issues.
Therapists who provide this type of treatment work with their clients to create an action plan to address their specific issues. They will teach them a set of skills that are easy to learn and have a good chance of success. Iam Psychiatry is often utilized to track progress and reward positive behaviors. In the case of a child, this might be a daily journal that outlines all of the in-school tasks or positive behaviors they must perform and a system for recording and earning rewards. Therapists may also discuss the possibility that negative consequences may be imposed if a child fails to complete their tasks. This can be done with care and support.
Metacognitive Therapy
A newer type of therapy, metacognitive therapy helps individuals change how they think. This kind of therapy could be beneficial for people who suffer from a variety mental health problems like depression. It's a kind of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps people recognize their negative thought patterns and how they impact their emotions. This type of therapy can also assist in the acquisition of psychological tools that are flexible and beneficial.
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning in adults suffering from ADHD. In order 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). It was discovered that comprehensive knowledge was connected to daily functioning in adults with ADHD however, the regulatory processes were not. The predictive ability of a model incorporating metacognition predictors was moderate, which suggests that they can account for a significant amount of the variance in daily functioning of people with ADHD.
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on changing dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs that perpetuate states of worry and rumination, as well as attention fixation. MCT was created by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model created by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorder. However, it is still an in-development treatment and more research will be needed to determine if it could help with other disorders.
This study was conceived to evaluate the efficacy of MCT to reduce symptoms of illness anxiety disorder. However it could be used to treat a variety of disorders and could be more effective than other treatment. It is important to keep it in mind that this is not an effective treatment for ADHD however it can be used as an alternative therapy.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapist works with all members of the family. This helps all family members learn about the client's issues and to learn how they can support their loved ones better. It also assists them in dealing with their anger and develop better communication skills. This kind of counseling can be utilized to treat other comorbidities, such as addiction and depression that are commonly associated as a result of ADHD.
The therapist will start with an intake session to understand the family's perception and determine whether they are appropriate for family intervention. This can be done in person or online. The therapist will explain to each client the nature of treatment and the do's & don'ts for family therapy.
A therapist with had experience working with adults suffering from ADHD asks a lot questions to gain insight into their current symptoms as well as their past and the impact they've had on their work, family, and relationships. They will also ask whether there are any other mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a structured form of counseling that teaches you how to change your negative patterns of thinking and to manage your behavior. It focuses on improving self-esteem and self-control by educating you on how to handle stress and anger. It is a short-term treatment option that can be used in conjunction with other types of psychotherapy.
Individual therapy can help those with ADHD deal with emotional trauma from a long-running pattern of underachievement, failure academic issues, frequent job changes and conflicts in relationships. It can help you learn ways to manage stress and cope and teach you how to manage your time and money more effectively. It can also address comorbid disorders such as mood and anxiety disorders which are frequently associated with ADHD.