Why We Love Treatment Adult ADHD (And You Should Also!)

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 are not able to respond well to medication and may be able to benefit from therapy. Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate and boost levels of certain brain chemicals. Drugs that stimulate the brain such as methylphenidate or amphetamine are commonly prescribed. Medicines Many medications that are used to treat ADHD in children can be used in adults. However the dosages are different and the drugs may cause adverse effects that aren't typical of children. A doctor will take into consideration the medical history of the patient as well as family history and other health conditions to determine which medicine is most suitable for him or her. The most well-known 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 help improve concentration, decrease impulsivity, and decrease aggression. They come in many forms like chewable tablets, liquids, and skin patches. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are preferred as they result in better patient compliance and longer lasting, smoother improvement of symptoms. It is important to keep in mind that comorbid conditions like depression or anxiety disorders can influence the response to ADHD medication. Therefore it is recommended that these disorders be treated first before medication is used as a second measure. The medications that can be utilized to treat comorbid disorders of mood are atomoxetine (Bupropion) tricyclic antidepressants as well as bupropion (Wilens, 2004). Some patients may have an “rebound effect” where their ADHD symptoms become worse after stopping stimulant medications. In these cases it is possible to try a short-term trial of the use of a low dose stimulant medication could prove beneficial. Some people are unable to tolerate stimulant medications or are not able to take them due to drug abuse or other health conditions, such as severe heart problems or hypertension. In these cases, non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and viloxazine can be effective. These drugs don't have the same side effects as stimulants, and they are less likely to be misused or misused. Psychotherapy People with ADHD are able to benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help those with ADHD learn how to improve their lives, manage anxiety and stress, resolve conflicts, or deal with problems in their relationships or at work. It can also aid with co-occurring mental illnesses such as depression and substance abuse disorders. Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as mindfulness-based 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 assists individuals in identifying negative thoughts and behaviors and then devise and implement strategies to change these. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy employs techniques of meditation to help a person learn 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 history with their family can be beneficial for those who suffer from ADHD who suffer from significant secondary problems. In addition to medication, psychotherapy can help address the particular issues caused by ADHD like difficulty staying on track with schoolwork, resolving conflict and getting together with others, losing important dates or obligations as well as impulsive decisions that lead to financial or legal troubles. It can assist a person overcome the root issues like anxiety and depression that could be contributing to their ADHD symptoms. Psychotherapy can assist a person find healthy coping skills and reduce stress through exercises, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to the family member or spouse who is struggling with the effects ADHD has on their relationship. Family therapy and marriage counseling can help families and couples learn to communicate better and manage ADHD symptoms together. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT is a kind of psychotherapy which focuses on helping clients overcome their negative thoughts. It utilizes skill-based dialogue with an experienced mental health professional (a therapist) to address the underlying causes of their symptoms. The goal of this treatment is to overcome the limitations and implement coping strategies that are compatible with the client's daily life. Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT show clients to recognize harmful thoughts and help them learn to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can take a while. However, it is a viable option for those who aren't getting enough relief from their medication. A recent RCT study found that when combined with medication, CBT is superior to cognitive behavioral therapy on its own in reducing the severity of core symptoms, emotional symptoms, self-esteem and social functioning of adults with ADHD (Clarke and colleagues. 2017). CBT when combined with methylphenidate may be particularly effective for people who suffer from more severe underlying issues. Therapists who provide this kind of treatment work with their clients to devise an action plan to address their specific problems. They typically teach them a set of practical skills that are easy to apply and have a good chance of being successful. Charts are typically utilized to track progress and reward positive behaviors. For an infant, this could involve a daily report that lists all the in-school tasks or positive behaviors they must perform and a system for monitoring and gaining rewards. The therapists may also consider introducing negative consequences when the child fails to complete their work. This can be done with sensitivity and encouragement. Metacognitive Therapy A newer type of therapy, metacognitive therapy, helps individuals change how they think. This kind of therapy could be beneficial to those who suffer from a range of mental health problems, such as depression. It is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps people learn to recognize negative thinking patterns and their impact on their emotions. This kind of therapy can also help them acquire psychological tools that are adaptable and effective. This study aimed to examine the relationship between metacognitive skills and daily functioning among adults with ADHD. To do untreated adhd in adults , we compared self and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning with predictors of Metacognition (comprehensive knowledge, regulation of Cognition, Debugging Information Management, and Evaluation). It was found that comprehensive knowledge was related to daily functioning in adults with ADHD but that regulatory processes were not. The predictive ability of a model incorporating metacognition predictors was moderate, suggesting that they can explain significant proportions of the variation in daily functioning for people with ADHD. Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an intervention which focuses on reversing metacognitive beliefs that are dysfunctional and perpetuate mental states such as 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 proven to be effective in treating anxiety disorder. However, it is still an in-development treatment and further research is needed to determine whether it can help with other disorders. This study was created to assess the effectiveness of MCT in reducing symptoms of illness anxiety disorder, but it can be applied to a variety of disorders, and may be more effective than other treatments. This is not a cure, but it could be utilized to treat ADHD. Family Therapy In family therapy, the therapy therapist works with the entire family. This helps all family members understand the client's problems and to understand how to help their loved ones better. It also helps them find ways to cope with their own feelings of frustration and develop healthier communication skills. This kind of counseling can also be used to address comorbid conditions, such as depression and substance abuse, which are often seen as part of ADHD. The therapist will begin with an intake session in order to gain a better understanding of the family's perception of the problem and assess their ability to intervene with the family. This can be done online or in person. The counselor will go over the details of the therapy with each individual and set out the guidelines and rules of family therapy. A therapist with experience treating adults with ADHD will ask a lot of questions to gain an understanding of the client's current symptoms, their history, and their impacts on their work, family life and relationships. They will also inquire if there are any other mental health issues present, such as anxiety or depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of counseling that teaches you how to manage your behavior and transform negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. It focuses on improving self-esteem and self-control by teaching you how to manage anger and stress. This is a short-term option that can be used alongside other types of psychotherapy. Individual therapy can help people suffering from ADHD deal with emotional trauma from a long-running pattern of underachievement and failure academic struggles, frequent job changes and conflict in relationships. It can help you learn strategies for coping with stress and stress reduction, and how to better manage your time and finances. It can also be used to address other comorbid conditions like anxiety and mood disorders, which are often associated with ADHD.