Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many people suffering from ADHD have comorbid disorders like major depression (Kessler et al 2006). Many patients who are depressed do not respond well to medication and could benefit from therapy.
Medications that most effectively improve the symptoms of ADHD seem to boost and balance levels of specific neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals. Drugs that stimulate the brain such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are frequently prescribed.
Medicines
Adults can take a variety of medications to treat ADHD in children. The dosages and effects are different. The doctor will take a look at the medical history, family health history, and other medical health conditions of the patient to determine which medicine is the best for them.
The most commonly used kind of ADHD medication is stimulant. It is used to regulate levels of two chemical messengers within the brain called norepinephrine and dopamine. The stimulants methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine (commonly known as Adderall) increase the availability of these neurotransmitters. They help improve focus and reduce impulsivity and aggression. They come in various forms like chewable tablets, liquids, and skin patches. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferable because they lead to more patient compliance and lasting more smooth improvement of symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that co-existing conditions like depression and 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. Some medications that are used to treat comorbid psychiatric disorders include atomoxetine, bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).).
Some patients might suffer from an "rebound effect" where their ADHD symptoms get worse after stopping stimulant medication. In these instances an experiment of a short duration with a low-dose stimulant medication may be helpful.
treating adults with adhd are not able to tolerate stimulant medication or cannot take it due to addiction to drugs or other health issues such as severe hypertension or heart issues. In these cases, non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine and viloxazine may be beneficial. These drugs don't have the same adverse effects as stimulants, and they are less likely to be abused or misused.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can be helpful for people with ADHD. It can help them develop techniques to improve their lives, deal with stress and anxiety, resolve conflicts, and deal with problems in relationships and at work. It can also assist those suffering from mental illness that are co-existing such as depression and substance use disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and schema therapy. These treatments are based on the idea that a person's beliefs and attitudes affect how they think, feel and behave. CBT helps people recognize negative behavior and thought patterns, and then develops and implements positive strategies to alter these patterns. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy employs meditation techniques to help a person learn to concentrate on their emotions and thoughts, manage their impulses and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy and other types of psychotherapy that focus on a person's family history may be useful for people with ADHD who suffer from significant secondary issues.
In addition to medications psychotherapy can also help with the specific issues that arise from ADHD like difficulty keeping up with schoolwork, resolving conflict and being able to get together with others, losing important dates or responsibilities as well as impulsive decisions that result in legal or financial problems. Psychotherapy can also help people to identify and overcome underlying issues that could cause ADHD symptoms, like anxiety or depression.
Psychotherapy can assist a person find healthy coping skills and reduce stress, for example exercises, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to a partner or family member who is struggling with the effects of ADHD 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)
CBT is a form of psychotherapy which focuses on changing the patterns of negative thinking of the client. It involves a dialog based on skill with an expert in mental health to identify the root causes of the symptoms. The aim of this treatment is to overcome limitations and implement strategies for coping that fit with the client's daily life.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT instruct clients to recognize unhelpful thoughts and help them learn to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can take a long time. It's a possibility for those who cannot receive enough relief from their medication.
In an upcoming RCT study, it was concluded that cognitive behavior therapy in combination with medication is superior to cognitive behavior therapy alone when it comes to improving the core symptoms, emotional symptoms, self-esteem, and social performance in adults with ADHD (Clarke and co. 2017). CBT coupled with methylphenidate could be particularly effective for those with more severe underlying problems.
Therapists who provide this kind of treatment work with their clients to develop an action plan to address the specific issues they face. They usually teach clients a set of practical skills that are easy to apply and have a high likelihood of being successful. Often a chart system is utilized to track progress and reward positive behavior. This could be the daily report of children that lists the tasks they must complete in school or the positive behavior that must be displayed, as well as an organized system for tracking and rewarding rewards. Therapists may also discuss the possibility that negative consequences could be introduced when a child does not complete their task. This can be done with care 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 to those who suffer from a range of mental health problems like depression. It is a kind of cognitive behavioral therapy which helps people recognize negative thoughts and their impact on their moods. This kind of therapy can help to develop psychological tools that are versatile and useful.
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between metacognitive skills and daily functioning in adults with ADHD. To accomplish this, we evaluated self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning with indicators of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge as well as regulation of cognition debugging, information management, and evaluation). The results indicated that comprehensive knowledge was linked to daily functioning among adults with ADHD however, it was not associated with the processes that regulate. The predictors of metacognition had moderate predictive power, which indicates that they can explain an important amount of variations in the daily functioning of adults suffering from ADHD.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an intervention that focuses on transforming 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 developed by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorder. However, it's still a relatively new treatment and more research is needed to determine if it could aid in other disorders.
This study was conceived to assess the effectiveness of MCT to reduce symptoms of illness anxiety disorder. However, it can be used to treat various disorders and is more effective than any other treatment. It is not a cure, but it could be used to treat ADHD.
Family Therapy
In family therapy the Therapist works with the entire family. Everyone can gain a better understanding of the client's issues and learn how to help their loved family members. It also helps them cope with their frustrations and develop more effective communication skills. This type of counseling can be used to tackle other comorbidities, such as addiction and depression which are frequently associated as part of ADHD.
The therapist will begin with an intake session in order to better understand the family's perception and determine whether they are suitable for intervention with the family. This can be done in person or online. The therapist will discuss the nature of the treatment with each person and spell out the guidelines and rules of family therapy.
A therapist with experience treating adults suffering from ADHD will ask a lot of questions in order to gain insight into the client's current symptoms, their history, and their impact on their work life as well as their family and social life. They will also ask if any other mental issues are present, like anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of counseling that is structured that helps you change your negative patterns of thinking and to manage your behavior. It focuses on boosting self-esteem and self control by teaching you how to manage stress and anger. It is a short-term treatment option that can be combined with other forms of psychotherapy.
Individual therapy can help people with ADHD deal with emotional baggage from longstanding patterns of underachievement, failure academic struggles as well as frequent job changes and conflict in relationships. It can help you learn stress reduction and coping techniques as well as how to manage your financial and time management. It can also help with the comorbidity of disorders like mood and anxiety disorders that are commonly associated as a result of ADHD.