Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people suffering from ADHD have comorbid conditions such as 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.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and increase levels of certain brain chemicals. treatments for adult add and amphetamine are commonly prescribed.
Medicines
Adults can take a variety of medications that are used for ADHD in children. The dosages and the side effects can be different. A doctor will take into consideration the medical history of the patient, family history and other health issues to determine which medicine is most suitable for them.
The most well-known ADHD medication is a stimulant. It works by adjusting the levels of norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain. Stimulants like methylphenidate and dextro-amphetamine (commonly known as Adderall) increase the amount of these neurotransmitters, which aid in improving focus and reducing impulsivity and aggression. They are available in a variety of forms like chewable tablets, liquids, and skin patches. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are more effective because they lead to better patient compliance and longer lasting and smoother improvement of symptoms.
It is crucial to be aware that comorbid disorders such as depression or anxiety disorders can affect the response to ADHD medication. It is therefore recommended that psychiatric disorders be treated first, and medication used as secondary measure. The drugs that can be used for comorbid mood disorders are atomoxetine (Bupropion) tricyclic antidepressants and bupropion (Wilens 2004).).
Certain patients may have some patients may experience a "rebound effect" in which their ADHD symptoms get worse after stopping stimulant medication. In these cases, a short-term trial of the use of a low dose stimulant medication could be beneficial.
Some people cannot tolerate stimulant drugs or are not able to take them due to addiction or other health issues, for example, heart problems that are severe or hypertension. In these situations, non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These medications don't cause the same amount of side effects as stimulants and have less risk of misuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can be helpful for those suffering from ADHD. It can help people with ADHD learn how to improve their lives, manage stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, or manage problems at work or in relationships. It can also help those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing, such as depression and addiction disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and mind-body cognitive therapy, as well as schema therapy. These therapies are based on the notion that a person's beliefs and thoughts influence how they feel, think and act. CBT helps individuals identify negative behaviors and thought patterns and then develop and implement strategies to change them. Meditation techniques are employed in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help a person concentrate on their thoughts and emotions to control their impulses and improve executive functioning. Schema therapy, as well as other forms of psychotherapy focusing on a person's history with their family can be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD who suffer from significant secondary problems.
In addition to medications psychotherapy can also help with the specific problems caused by ADHD problems, like having trouble keeping up with schoolwork, resolving conflicts and being able to get along with others, forgetting important dates or responsibilities as well as impulsive decisions that can lead to legal or financial problems. Psychotherapy can help someone overcome the root issues like depression and anxiety that may be contributing to their ADHD symptoms.
Psychotherapy can help people find healthy ways to cope and reduce stress. For example exercising, improving sleep, and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to a partner or family member who may be dealing with the effects of ADHD on their relationship. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help families and couples improve communication and learn to manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a type of psychotherapy that is focused on helping clients overcome their negative patterns of thinking. It uses skill-based dialogue with an experienced mental health professional (a therapist) to address the underlying causes of their symptoms. The goal of this treatment is to overcome impairments and implement coping strategies that fit with the person's everyday life.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT instruct clients to recognize harmful thinking patterns and assist them to learn to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can take a long time. However, it is a viable option for those who do not receive enough relief from medication.
A recent RCT study concluded that when combined with medication, CBT is superior to CBT on its own in reducing the emotional symptoms, core symptoms as well as 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.
Therapists who provide this type of treatment work with their clients to develop an action plan that addresses the specific issues they face. They usually teach clients a series of practical skills that are easy to implement and have a high chance of being successful. Often a chart system is used to track the progress of a child and reward positive behaviour. In the case of a child, this might involve a daily report which outlines the in-school activities or positive behaviors they have to perform, as well as an approach to monitoring and gaining rewards. The therapists could also discuss the possibility of creating negative consequences if a child does not complete their work. This can be done with sensitivity and support.
Metacognitive Therapy
Metacognitive therapy is a brand new form of psychotherapy that helps people change their mindset. This kind of therapy can be beneficial for those who suffer from various mental health problems, such as depression. It is a form of cognitive behavior therapy that helps people learn to recognize negative thinking patterns and their impact on their emotions. This kind of therapy can help them develop psychological tools that can be adaptable and beneficial.
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning in adults suffering from ADHD. To this end we examined the relationship between self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning to predictors of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge and cognition regulation, debugging, management of information, and evaluation). It 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 predictors of metacognition was moderate, which suggests that they can explain significant proportions of the variance in daily functioning for adults with ADHD.
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on changing dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs that perpetuate states of anxiety or rumination as well as attention fixation. Adrian Wells developed MCT based on an idea of information processing by Wells and Gerald Matthews. One case series has demonstrated the effectiveness of MCT in managing illness anxiety, but it's still relatively in its infancy and more research is required to determine its effectiveness in other disorders.
This study was designed to determine the efficacy of MCT in decreasing symptoms of anxiety disorder, but it can be applied to a variety of disorders, and may be more effective than other treatments. It is important to keep it in mind that this is not an effective treatment for ADHD, but it can be used as an adjunctive therapy.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the Therapist works with the entire family. All members can better understand the issues of the client and learn to assist their loved ones. It also helps them deal with their frustrations and build more effective communication skills. Additionally, this kind of counseling is useful in dealing with comorbid disorders such as depression and substance misuse which are often associated with ADHD.
The therapist will begin with an intake session to understand the family's perception and determine whether they are appropriate for family intervention. This can be conducted in person or online. The counselor will explain to each person the nature of treatment as well as the do's & don'ts for family therapy.
A therapist who has experience treating adults with ADHD will ask a lot of questions to gain insight into the current symptoms as well as their history and the impact that they have on their work, family, and relationships. They will also ask whether there are other mental health issues that are present like anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured kind 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 handle anger and stress. This is a short-term option that can be utilized alongside other types of psychotherapy.
Individual therapy can help those with ADHD overcome emotional trauma from a long-running pattern of underachievement, failure academic struggles frequent job changes, and conflict in relationships. It can help you learn coping and stress reduction techniques and teach you how to manage your time and money more effectively. It can also be used to tackle comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and mood disorders, that are often associated with ADHD.