From All Over The Web: 20 Fabulous Infographics About Treatment Adult ADHD

Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders

Many people with ADHD also suffer from comorbid disorders such as major depressive disorder (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many patients do not respond to medication for depression and may benefit from psychotherapy.

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

Adults are able to take many different medications to treat ADHD in children. The dosages and side effects differ. A doctor will look at the medical history of the patient as well as family history and other health issues to determine which medication is best for him or her.

The most popular type of ADHD medication is stimulant. It is used to regulate levels of two chemical messengers within the brain, norepinephrine as well as dopamine. Stimulants such as methylphenidate or dextro-amphe (commonly known as Adderall) boost the supply of these neurotransmitters, which help improve focus and reduce impulsivity and aggression. They are available in a variety of forms, including chewable tablets, liquids, and skin patches. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are more effective as they result in better patient compliance and longer lasting more smooth improvement of symptoms.

It is crucial to keep in mind that comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression can affect the response to ADHD medications. Therefore, it is recommended that these psychiatric issues be treated first, and medication be used as a second measure. The medications that can be utilized for comorbid mood disorders are atomoxetine (Bupropion), tricyclic antidepressants, and bupropion (Wilens 2004).

Some patients might experience an "rebound effect" where their ADHD symptoms become worse after stopping stimulant medications. In these instances, a short-term trial of the use of a low dose stimulant medication could be helpful.

Certain people are not able to tolerate stimulant medication or cannot use it due to the misuse of drugs or other health conditions such as heart or hypertension problems that are severe. In these cases, non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and viloxazine may be beneficial. These medications do not cause the same level of adverse effects as stimulants, and are less risk of misuse and diversion.

Psychotherapy

People suffering from ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help those with ADHD to improve their lives, deal with anxiety and stress, resolve conflicts, or cope with problems in their relationships or at work. It can also assist with co-existing mental disorders like addiction and depression disorders.

Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), mind-body cognitive therapy, and schema therapy. These treatments are based on the notion that a person's beliefs and thoughts affect how they feel, think and act. CBT helps individuals identify negative thoughts and behaviors and then devise and implement positive strategies to change these. The use of meditation techniques in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help someone concentrate on their thoughts and emotions to control their impulses and improve executive functioning. Schema therapy, and other forms of psychotherapy that focus on a person’s family history can be beneficial for people with ADHD.

Psychotherapy, as well as medication, can help with specific ADHD issues, such as difficulty keeping up with schoolwork or interacting with other people. It can also assist in forgetting important dates and obligations and making decisions that are impulsive and result in legal and financial problems. Psychotherapy can also help a person explore and overcome issues that could cause ADHD symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.

Psychotherapy can help people find 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 spouse who is struggling with the effects ADHD can have on their relationship. Therapy for families and marriage 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 negative patterns of thinking that clients have. It utilizes skill-based dialogue with a trained mental health professional (a therapist) to address the root causes of their symptoms. The aim of this treatment is to correct impairments and implement coping strategies that are compatible with the client's daily life.

Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT instruct clients to recognize unhelpful thinking patterns and assist them to learn to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can be lengthy. However, it is a viable alternative for adults who do not receive enough relief from their medication.

In the course of a recent 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 symptoms, self-esteem, and social performance in adults with ADHD (Clarke and colleagues. 2017).  adhd treatment for adults  combined with methylphenidate can be particularly effective for those who have more severe underlying problems.

Therapists who offer this kind of treatment work with their clients to develop an action plan that addresses their specific issues. They usually teach clients the fundamentals of therapy that are easy to apply and have a good chance of success. A chart system is often utilized to track progress and reward positive behavior. This could include a daily report for a child that outlines the tasks they are required to finish at school or the positive behaviors to be exhibited, and a system of recording and rewarding. Therapists can also talk about the possibility that negative consequences might be inflicted upon a child who isn't able to finish their work. This can be done in a very sensitive and supportive way.

Metacognitive Therapy

Metacognitive therapy is an innovative type of psychotherapy that assists people to change their thinking. This kind of treatment can be effective for people with a variety of mental health issues such as depression. It is a form of cognitive behavior therapy that assists people in recognizing negative thinking patterns and their effect on their emotions. This kind of therapy can help to develop psychological tools that are flexible and useful.

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between metacognitive abilities and daily functioning among adults with ADHD. To achieve this we evaluated self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning with the indicators of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge, regulation of cognition debugging, information management and evaluation). The results showed that complete knowledge was associated with daily functioning in adults with ADHD however, it was not associated with the processes that regulate. Metacognition predictors had moderate predictive power, which suggests they could be the cause of significant variation in the daily functioning of adults with ADHD.

Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an treatment that focuses on changing metacognitive beliefs that cause dysfunction and perpetuate states such as worry, rumination, and attention fixation. Adrian Wells developed MCT based on an idea of information processing by Wells and Gerald Matthews. A case series has proven the effectiveness of MCT in reducing anxiety disorder, but it's still relatively in its infancy and more research is needed to determine its efficacy for other disorders.

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of MCT in the reduction of symptoms of illness anxiety disorder, however it can be applied to a variety of disorders, and may be more effective than other therapies. This isn't a cure, but can be employed to treat ADHD.

Family Therapy

In family therapy, therapists work with all members of the family. All members can better understand the client's issues and learn how to help their loved ones. It also helps them deal with their frustrations and build better communication skills. This type of counseling can also be used to address comorbid conditions, such as substance abuse and depression which are frequently associated as part of ADHD.

The therapist will start with an intake session to gain a better understanding of the family's perspective and determine whether they are appropriate for family intervention. The session can be conducted in person or via the internet. 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 who has experience in treating adults with ADHD will ask lots of questions to gain an understanding of the client's present symptoms, their past and their impact on their work life as well as their family and social life. They will also ask whether any other mental health 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 to positive ones. It focuses on boosting self-esteem and self-control by teaching you how to cope with anger and stress. It is a short-term treatment that can be combined with other forms 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 with relationship conflicts or job changes as well as academic difficulties. It can help you learn ways to reduce stress and cope, and how to manage your financial and time management. It can also be used to tackle the comorbidities, like mood and anxiety disorders, which are often seen alongside ADHD.