Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many adults with ADHD also suffer from comorbid conditions, such as major depression (Kessler and colleagues 2006). Many patients do not respond to medications for depression and may be able to benefit from psychotherapy.
Medications that most effectively improve the symptoms of ADHD are those that boost and balance levels of specific brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Drugs that stimulate the brain such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are commonly prescribed.
Medicines
Adults can take a variety of medications to treat ADHD in children. The dosages and effects are different. A doctor will take into consideration the individual's medical history, family history, and other health conditions to determine what medication is the best for them.
The most popular type of ADHD medication is stimulant and is used to regulate levels of two chemical messengers within the brain, namely norepinephrine and dopamine. Stimulants such as methylphenidate (also called Adderall) and dextroamphetamine enhance the supply of neurotransmitters that aid in improving focus, reduce impulsivity, and decrease aggression. These stimulants are available in various forms, including skin patches, liquids, and chewable tablets. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are more effective as they result in more patient compliance and lasting more smooth improvement of symptoms.
It is important to be aware that comorbid conditions like depression or anxiety disorders can influence the response to ADHD medication. Therefore, it is recommended that these psychiatric issues be treated first before medication is utilized as a secondary measure. Medications that can be used to treat comorbid psychiatric 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 get worse after stopping stimulant medications. In these instances it is possible to try a short-term trial of a low-dose stimulant medication may prove beneficial.
Some people are unable take stimulant medication or use it due to the misuse of drugs or other health issues like severe hypertension or heart problems. In these instances, non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine or viloxazine may be beneficial. These medications don't cause the same high rates of side effects as stimulants, and are a lower risk for misuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can be beneficial for people with ADHD. It can help them learn skills to improve their life, deal with stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, and manage issues in relationships or at work. 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) as well as mind-body cognitive therapy, and schema therapy. These therapies are based on notion that a person's beliefs and attitudes affect how they feel, think and act. CBT assists a person to identify negative behaviors and thinking patterns, then develops and implements strategies to alter them. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy uses techniques for meditation to teach people how to concentrate on their thoughts and emotions, control impulses, and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy and other types of psychotherapy that focus on a person's family history can be beneficial for those who suffer from ADHD who suffer from significant secondary problems.
Psychotherapy, as well as medication, can assist with specific ADHD issues, such as difficulty keeping up with schoolwork or interacting with other people. It can also assist with forgetting important dates and responsibilities, and making impulsive choices that lead to financial and legal problems. It can also assist individuals to address and resolve issues that contribute to their ADHD symptoms, like depression or anxiety.
Psychotherapy can help 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 a family member or spouse who is struggling with the negative effects ADHD has on 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 form of psychotherapy which focuses on transforming the patterns of negative thinking of the client. It involves a skill-based dialog with an expert in mental health to identify the root reason for the symptoms. The goal of this treatment is to eliminate the limitations and implement coping strategies that fit with the person's everyday life.
In addition to educating clients how to identify unhelpful 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 long time. However, it's a good option for adults who are not getting adequate relief from medications.
A recent RCT study concluded that when paired with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy alone in improving the emotional symptoms, core symptoms self-esteem, and social functioning in adults with ADHD (Clarke et al. 2017). The combination of CBT and methylphenidate is especially effective for those who have more severe underlying problems.
Therapists who provide this kind of treatment work with their clients to create an action plan to address the specific issues they face. treating add train them in a series of skills that are easy to master and have a high chance of success. Charts are typically used to monitor progress, and reward positive behaviors. In the case of an infant, this could be a daily journal that outlines all of the school activities or positive behaviors they must perform and a method of tracking and earning rewards. The therapists could consider introducing negative consequences when a child does not complete their tasks. This can be done with care and encouragement.
Metacognitive Therapy
Metacognitive therapy is a brand new kind of psychotherapy that helps people to change their thinking. This kind of therapy can be beneficial for people with a variety of mental health issues such as depression. It is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that assists people in recognizing negative thinking patterns and their effects on their emotions. This type of therapy helps them develop mental tools that are flexible and useful.
The goal of this study was to explore the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning in adults suffering from ADHD. To this end, we examined the relationship between the self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning with predictors of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge and cognition regulation debugging, management of information, and evaluation). It was discovered that the comprehensive knowledge of people was linked to daily functioning in adults with ADHD but that the processes of regulation were not. Metacognition predictors had moderate predictive power which indicates that they can explain an important amount of variation in the daily functioning of people with ADHD.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an treatment which focuses on reversing metacognitive beliefs that are dysfunctional and perpetuate states like worry, rumination and attention fixation. MCT was created by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been proven to be effective in treating illness anxiety disorder. However, it is still an in-development treatment and further research is required to determine if it could help with other disorders.
This study was designed to determine the efficacy of MCT in reducing symptoms of illness anxiety disorder, however it can be applied to a variety of disorders, and may be more effective than other therapies. It is not a cure, but can be utilized to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapy therapist works with the entire family. Everyone is able to better understand the client's needs and learn to assist their loved ones. It also helps them find ways to manage their own frustrations and develop healthier communication skills. Additionally, this kind of counseling can be helpful in dealing with comorbid disorders such as depression or substance misuse which are often found in conjunction with ADHD.
The therapist will begin with an intake session in order to better understand the family's perspective and determine if they're suitable for family intervention. This can be conducted online or in person. The therapist will discuss the nature of the therapy with each person and spell out the guidelines and rules of family therapy.
A therapist who has experience in treating adults with ADHD will ask a lot of questions in order to gain understanding of the client's current symptoms, their history and their impacts on their work and family life as well as relationships. They will also ask if any other mental issues are present, such 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 teaching you techniques to cope with anxiety 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 manage the emotional baggage that comes from failure and underachievement. It can also help them deal problems with relationships as well as job changes and academic difficulties. It can help you learn ways to manage stress and cope and teach you how to manage your time and finances more effectively. It can also help with the comorbidity of disorders like depression and anxiety, which are often seen as a result of ADHD.