Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid disorders, such as major depression (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many people who suffer from depression do not respond well to medications and may get better results from therapy.
Medications that most effectively improve core symptoms of ADHD are those that boost and balance levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are amphetamine, methylphenidate, and similar drugs.
Medicines
Many of the medications used to treat ADHD in children can be used for adults. However the dosages differ and the medications can cause adverse effects that aren't typical of children. A doctor will consider the medical history of the patient, family history, and other health conditions to determine which medicine is the best for them.
The most popular type of ADHD medication is stimulant. It is used to regulate levels of two chemical messengers within the brain called norepinephrine and dopamine. The stimulants like methylphenidate (also known as Adderall) and dextroamphetamine enhance the supply of neurotransmitters, which help improve concentration, decrease impulsivity, and reduce aggression. These stimulants are available in various forms, including skin patches, liquids, and chewable tablets. These long-acting stimulants are favored as they lead to better patient compliance, and more consistent, long-lasting improvement in symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that co-occurring disorders like depression or anxiety disorders can influence the response to ADHD medication. Therefore it is recommended that these psychiatric issues be treated first, and then medication used as a secondary measure. Some medications that are used to treat comorbid mood disorders include bupropion, atomoxetine and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).).
Certain patients may experience some patients may experience a "rebound" effect in which they experience a worsening of ADHD symptoms after stopping stimulant medications. In these cases, a short-term trial of an atypical stimulant drug 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 severe hypertension or heart problems. In these cases, non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine and viloxazine may be beneficial. These medications don't have the same adverse effects as stimulants, and are less likely to be misused or misused.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can be helpful for those with ADHD. It can help those with ADHD learn how to improve their lives, deal with stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, or deal with problems at work or in relationships. It can also assist with those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing, like addiction and depression 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 thoughts and beliefs can affect how a person is feeling, thinks and behaves. CBT helps individuals identify negative patterns of behavior and thoughts and then develop and implement strategies to change them. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy employs techniques of meditation to teach a person how to focus on their thoughts and emotions, control impulses, and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy, and other forms of psychotherapy that concentrate on a person's family history can be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD.
In addition to medicines psychotherapy can also help with the particular issues caused by ADHD, such as trouble staying on track with schoolwork, resolving conflict and being able to get together with others, losing important dates or obligations as well as impulsive decisions that result in financial or legal troubles. It can also assist people to identify and overcome issues that could contribute to their ADHD symptoms, like depression or anxiety.
Psychotherapy can assist people in finding healthy coping techniques and reduce stress. For example, exercise, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also offer support to a partner or family member who is struggling with the effects of ADHD on their relationship. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help 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 change their negative thoughts. It involves a skill-based dialog with an expert in mental health to address the root reason for the symptoms. This therapy aims to help clients overcome limitations and develop coping strategies that are in line with their everyday lives.
In addition, they teach clients to recognize harmful thoughts, those who specialize in adult ADHD CBT aid them in developing skills that allow them to replace unhelpful thinking with more productive ones. This process can take a while. However, it's a good option for those who aren't getting enough relief from their medication.
A recent RCT study has found that when paired with medication, CBT is superior to CBT on its own in reducing the severity of the emotional symptoms, core symptoms as well as self-esteem and social functioning in adults with ADHD (Clarke et al., 2017). CBT combined with methylphenidate can be particularly effective for people with more severe underlying problems.
The therapists who provide this treatment usually collaborate with the client to devise an action plan that is specific to addressing their problems. They will teach them a set of practical skills that are simple to master and have a high probability of success. Charts are typically used to monitor progress, and reward positive behaviors. This could be a daily report for a child that outlines the tasks they are required to complete in school or the positive behaviors that need to be displayed, as well as an organized system for recording and earning rewards. Therapists can also talk about the possibility that negative consequences could be imposed if a child does not complete their task. This can be done with care and support.
Metacognitive Therapy
A newer type of therapy, metacognitive therapy helps individuals change how they think. This type of treatment can be effective for people suffering from a range of mental health issues, including depression. It's a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that assists people to identify their negative thoughts and how they affect their moods. This kind of therapy can help them develop psychological tools that are flexible and useful.
This study was designed to investigate the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning in adults with ADHD. 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 however, it was not associated with regulatory processes. adults adhd treatment had moderate predictive power which indicates that they can be the cause of significant variations in the daily functioning of people with ADHD.
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a type of psychotherapy which focuses on changing dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs that perpetuate states of worry or rumination as well as attention fixation. Adrian Wells developed MCT based on a model of information processing by Wells and Gerald Matthews. A case series has proven the effectiveness of MCT in tackling anxiety, but it's still a relatively new concept and more research is required to determine its effectiveness in other disorders.
This study was designed for evaluating the effectiveness of MCT to treat symptoms of illness anxiety disorder. However, it can be used to treat a variety disorders and may be more effective than any other therapy. This isn't an effective treatment, but it can be employed to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy the therapist works with the whole family. Everyone can gain a better understanding of the client's needs and learn how they can 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 substance abuse and depression which are frequently associated as a result of ADHD.
The therapist will commence with an intake session to get an understanding of the family's perception of the issue and determine their ability to intervene with the family. This can be done either in person or online. The therapist will explain to each person the purpose of therapy and the rules for family therapy.
A therapist with experience treating adults suffering from ADHD will ask a lot of questions to gain understanding of the client's current symptoms, their past and their impacts on their work as well as their family and social life. They will also ask if any other mental problems are present, for example anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of counseling that is structured 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 cope with anger and stress. It is a short-term treatment that can be used in conjunction with other types of psychotherapy.
Individual talk therapy helps people with ADHD to deal with the emotional baggage that results from failure and underachievement. It can also assist them in dealing with relationship conflicts as well as job changes and academic challenges. It can teach you stress reduction and coping techniques and also how to manage your time and finances. It can also be used to tackle the comorbidities, like anxiety and mood disorders, which are often seen alongside ADHD.
