Why You Should Concentrate On Enhancing Treatment Adult ADHD
Wiki Article
Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people with ADHD have comorbid disorders like major depression (Kessler et al 2006). Many patients are not responsive to medications for depression and may benefit from psychotherapy.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and increase levels of certain brain chemicals. Drugs that stimulate the brain such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are often prescribed.
Medicines
A variety of medications used to treat ADHD in children can be used in adults. However the dosages differ and the drugs may cause negative side effects that aren't common in children. The doctor will take a look at the medical history, family health history, and other medical health conditions of the patient to determine which drug 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 called Adderall) and dextroamphetamine increase the availability of neurotransmitters, which help improve concentration, decrease impulsivity, and decrease aggression. These stimulants are available in a variety of forms, including liquids, skin patches and chewable tablets. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferred as they result in greater patient compliance and a longer lasting, smoother improvement in symptoms.
It is important to remember that comorbidities like anxiety and depression can affect the response to ADHD medications. Therefore, it is recommended that psychiatric issues be treated first, and then medication utilized as a secondary measure. The medications that are used to treat comorbid psychiatric disorders include atomoxetine and bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).
Some patients may experience some patients may experience a "rebound" effect where they experience an increase in ADHD symptoms after discontinuing stimulant medication. In these cases a short trial of a low dose of stimulant medication can be helpful.
Certain people are not able to take stimulant medication or take it due to drug misuse or other health issues such as severe hypertension or heart issues. In these situations, non-stimulant medication such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These medications do not cause the same amount of side effects as stimulants, and are less risk of misuse and diversion.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is a great option for people with ADHD. It can help those with ADHD to improve their lives, deal with stress and anxiety, manage conflicts, or deal with problems in their relationships or at work. It can also help people with mental disorders that coexist, like addiction and depression disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and schema therapy. These therapies are based upon the notion that thoughts and beliefs can influence how a person feels, thinks and acts. CBT helps individuals identify negative behaviors and thought patterns and then formulate and implement positive strategies to alter these. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy utilizes meditation techniques to teach a person how to concentrate on their thoughts and emotions, control impulses and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy, as well as other forms of psychotherapy that concentrate on a person's family history could be beneficial for those suffering from ADHD.
In addition to medications, psychotherapy can help address the specific issues that arise from ADHD like difficulty keeping up with schoolwork, resolving conflict and getting along with others, forgetting important dates or responsibilities and making impulsive choices that result in legal or financial issues. It can also help a person explore and resolve issues that be contributing to their ADHD symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.
Psychotherapy can help someone develop healthy coping strategies and reduce stress through exercise, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also provide support to a family member or partner who is dealing 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)
CBT is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on changing the client's negative thinking patterns. It employs dialogue based on skill with a trained mental health professional (a therapist) to address the root causes of their symptoms. The goal of this treatment is to correct limitations and implement strategies for coping that are compatible with the daily routine of the client.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT instruct clients to recognize harmful thinking patterns and assist them to build the skills to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can take some time. It is an option for those who cannot get enough relief from their medications.
In the course of a recent RCT that was conducted, it was discovered that cognitive behavior therapy in combination with medication is superior over cognitive behavior therapy by itself in terms of improving core symptoms, emotional symptom self-esteem, and social functioning in adults suffering from ADHD (Clarke and co. 2017). CBT combined with methylphenidate can be particularly effective for those who have more serious underlying issues.
Therapists who provide this kind of treatment work with clients to devise an action plan to address their specific issues. They train them in a series of practical skills that are easy to master and have a high probability of success. Often a chart system is utilized to track progress and reward positive behavior. This could include an everyday report for children that details the tasks they must complete in school or the positive behaviors to be demonstrated, and a system of monitoring and rewarding. The therapists may consider introducing negative consequences when a child does not finish their tasks. This can be done with sensitivity and support.
Metacognitive Therapy
A more recent form of therapy, metacognitive therapy helps people change the way they think. This kind of therapy could be beneficial for people here who suffer from a range of mental health issues like depression. It's a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that assists people to identify their negative thinking patterns and how they impact their emotions. This kind of therapy helps them develop psychological tools that are versatile and useful.
This study was designed to investigate the relationship between metacognitive abilities and daily functioning in adults with ADHD. To accomplish this we compared self and informant-rated daily functioning impairments with predictors of Metacognition (comprehensive knowledge, regulation of Cognition, Debugging, Information Management and Evaluation). The results showed that comprehensive knowledge was linked to daily functioning in adults with ADHD however, it was not associated with regulation processes. Metacognition predictors 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 psychotherapy which focuses on changing metacognitive beliefs that are dysfunctional and perpetuate states of anxiety, rumination and attention fixation. MCT was developed by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model created by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been proven to be effective in treating illness anxiety disorder. However, it is still an emerging treatment, and further research will be needed to determine if it could help with other disorders.
This study was created to assess the effectiveness of MCT to treat symptoms of anxiety disorder. However it could be used to treat a variety of disorders and could be more effective than other treatment. It's important to keep in mind that this is not a cure for ADHD however it can be utilized as an adjunctive therapy.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, therapists work with all family members. This helps all family members understand the client's problems and to learn how they can support their loved one more effectively. It also helps them find ways to manage their own anxieties and improve their communication skills. Additionally, this type of counseling is useful for addressing comorbidities such as depression and substance misuse which are often found in conjunction with ADHD.
The therapist will begin with an intake session to gain a clearer understanding of the family's view of the problem and assess their ability to intervene with the family. This can be conducted in person or online. The Therapist will explain to each client the nature of treatment as well as the do's & don'ts for family therapy.
A therapist with experience treating adults with ADHD asks lots of questions to gain an understanding of the current symptoms as well as their history and the impact they have on their work, family and relationships. They will also inquire if any other mental issues are present, like anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured type of counseling that teaches you to manage your behavior and change negative patterns of thinking into positive ones. It focuses on improving self-esteem and self control by educating you on how to cope with stress and anger. It is a short-term treatment option that can be paired with other forms of psychotherapy.
Individual therapy can help people suffering from ADHD deal with emotional trauma from a long-running pattern of underachievement, failure academic struggles frequent job changes, and conflict in relationships. It can help you develop ways to manage stress and cope and help you manage your time and finances more efficiently. It can also be used to tackle other comorbid conditions like mood and anxiety disorders, which are often seen alongside ADHD.