Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people with ADHD have comorbid conditions such as major depression (Kessler and co., 2006). Many sufferers do not respond to depression medications and may benefit from psychotherapy.
Medications that most effectively improve the most fundamental symptoms of ADHD appear to increase and balance levels of certain neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate, amphetamine and other similar drugs.
Medicines
Adults are able to take many different medications to treat ADHD in children. The dosages and the side effects differ. A doctor will look at the individual's medical history, family history and other health conditions to determine which medicine is the best for them.
The most commonly used ADHD medication is a stimulant. It works by altering the levels of norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain. The stimulants like methylphenidate (also called Adderall) and dextroamphetamine increase the availability of neurotransmitters that aid in improving focus, reduce impulsivity and decrease aggression. These stimulants are available in a variety of forms, such as skin patches, liquids and chewable tablets. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferred because they provide greater patient compliance and a longer lasting and smoother improvement of symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that co-existing conditions like depression and anxiety disorders can alter the effectiveness of ADHD medication. Therefore it is recommended that these mental health issues be treated first and medication used as a secondary measure. The medications that can be used to treat comorbid disorders of mood are atomoxetine (Bupropion), tricyclic antidepressants and bupropion (Wilens 2004).
Some patients might have an "rebound effect" in which their ADHD symptoms get worse after stopping stimulant medications. In these instances, a brief trial of a low dose of stimulant medication can be helpful.
Some people cannot tolerate stimulant medications or are unable to take them due to abuse of drugs or other health conditions, like heart issues that are severe or hypertension. In these cases, nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These medications don't cause the same side effects as stimulants, and are less likely to be misused or misused.
Psychotherapy
People with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help them develop techniques to improve their lives, deal with anxiety and stress, resolve conflicts, and deal with problems in relationships or at work. It can also help those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing, like addiction and depression disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as well as schema therapy. These therapies are based on idea that a person's beliefs and thoughts affect how they behave, think and feel. CBT helps an individual identify negative patterns of behavior and thoughts and then develop and implement positive strategies to alter these. The use of meditation techniques in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help a person focus on their thoughts and emotions, control impulses, and improve executive functioning. Schema therapy, and other forms of psychotherapy that focus on a person's family history, may be helpful for people with ADHD.
In addition to medications psychotherapy can also help with the particular issues caused by ADHD problems, like having trouble keeping up with schoolwork, resolving conflicts and getting together with others, losing important dates or obligations, and impulsive decisions that lead to legal or financial problems. It can also assist people to identify and overcome issues that could be contributing to their ADHD symptoms, like depression or anxiety.
Psychotherapy can help people discover healthy strategies for coping and decrease stress. For example exercise, sleep improvement, and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to the family member or partner who is dealing with the effects ADHD has on their relationship. Marriage and family therapy helps couples and families learn how to communicate better and manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on helping clients change their negative patterns of thinking. It involves a dialog based on skill with an expert in mental health to identify the root causes of the symptoms. The goal of this treatment is to correct the limitations and implement coping strategies that align with the client's daily life.
In addition, they teach clients how to identify unhelpful thoughts, those who specialize in adult ADHD CBT help them develop skills that allow them to replace negative thoughts with more productive ones. This process can be lengthy. It's a possibility for adults who do not feel enough relief from their medication.
In an upcoming RCT study, it was concluded that cognitive behavioral therapy paired with medication is superior to cognitive behavior therapy on its own when it comes to improving the core symptoms, emotional symptom, self-esteem, and social performance in adults with ADHD (Clarke and co. 2017). CBT when combined with methylphenidate may be particularly effective for people who have more severe underlying issues.
The therapists that provide this kind of treatment usually collaborate with the client to devise an action plan that is specific to solving their issues. They usually teach clients a set of practical skills that are simple to implement and have a good chance of being successful. she said are often utilized to track progress and to reward positive behavior. This could be an everyday report for children that lists the tasks they have to complete at school, or the positive behaviors to be demonstrated, and a system of monitoring and earning rewards. Therapists can also talk about the possibility that negative consequences may be inflicted upon a child who does not complete their task. This can be done with sensitivity and encouragement.
Metacognitive Therapy
A more recent form of therapy, metacognitive therapy, helps individuals change how they think. This kind of therapy can be beneficial for people who suffer from a range of mental health problems like depression. It is a kind of cognitive behavioral therapy which helps people recognize negative thought patterns and their effect on their moods. This kind of therapy can also help them acquire psychological tools that are adaptable and beneficial.
This study was designed to investigate the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning among adults with ADHD. To achieve this, we compared self- and informant-rated deficits in daily functioning to predictors of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge, regulation of cognition, debugging, information management and evaluation). The results showed that complete knowledge was associated with daily functioning among adults with ADHD however, it was not associated with the processes that regulate. The predictive ability of a model incorporating metacognition predictors was moderate, which suggests that they can account for an important portion of the variation in the daily functioning of adults with ADHD.
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a psychotherapy that focuses on changing dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs that perpetuate states of worry and rumination, as well as attention fixation. Adrian Wells developed MCT based on the model of information processing developed by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been proven to be effective in treating illness anxiety disorder. However, it's still an emerging treatment, and further research will be needed to determine whether it can help with other disorders.
This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of MCT to alleviate symptoms of illness anxiety disorder. However it could be used to treat various disorders and may be more effective than other therapy. It is not an effective treatment, but it can be utilized to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapist works with the whole family. This allows all members to learn about the client's issues and to understand how to help their loved one better. It also helps them find ways to manage their own feelings of frustration and improve their communication skills. This type of counseling could be used to tackle comorbid conditions, such as addiction and depression which are frequently associated as a result of ADHD.
The therapist will begin with an intake session in order to gain a clearer understanding of the family's view of the problem and assess their ability to intervene with the family. The session can be conducted in person or online. The therapist will discuss the nature of the therapy with each person and spell out the rules and guidelines of family therapy.
A therapist with experience treating adults suffering from ADHD will ask lots of questions to gain understanding of the client's present symptoms, their history and their impacts on their work and family life as well as relationships. They will also inquire whether any other mental health issues are present, such anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an organized form of counseling that helps you change your negative patterns of thinking and to manage your behavior. It focuses on improving self-esteem and self control by teaching you how to cope 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 suffering from ADHD deal with emotional trauma from a long-running pattern of underachievement and failure academic issues as well as frequent job changes and conflict in relationships. It can teach you strategies for coping with stress and stress reduction as well as how to better manage your finances and time. It can be used to treat comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and mood disorders which are often seen alongside ADHD.