Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD affects people in ways that impact their work, home and relationships. Treatment options include medication, skill training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved non-stimulant medication for adult ADHD. Research shows that it is effective and has low potential for abuse. Psychosocial interventions that address issues with organizational skills and comorbid disorders have a solid evidence base including behavioral parent training (BPT). However, the precision of psychosocial guidelines is not easy to attain.
Medication
For many people with ADHD it is believed that a combination of medication and psychosocial treatment is the best approach to manage their symptoms. The use of medication has been proven to be extremely effective in improving symptoms of ADHD, but it can take a while for someone to see results. Consult your doctor if you're considering using medication to treat your ADHD symptoms. Make sure it's suitable for you, and that it won't interact with other medications that you take.
People with ADHD have trouble focusing and concentrating, controlling impulses making plans and accomplishing tasks on time. These issues can impact work, school and social relationships. They can make it difficult for people to enjoy leisure activities and relax.
Medications are the most effective evidence-based treatment for ADHD. Medications are able to reduce or eliminate the requirement for psychosocial interventions, and improve a person’s quality of living. It is good to know that medications aren't addictive and have a very low risks of abuse. Numerous studies have proven that people suffering from ADHD benefit from stimulants. Non-stimulant medicines like atomoxetine, or Strattera, are available for people who are unable to take stimulants' side effects.
Treatment isn't the only option. A thorough assessment will include a thorough description of ADHD symptoms and the impact they have on daily functioning. It should also be able to identify if the patient has any other comorbidities such as depression and anxiety, which could affect the response to therapy and medication.
Medical examinations usually do not reveal signs of the disorder, and a diagnosis is made upon clinical judgment, with a clear history of symptoms that began in childhood onwards. In addition to a detailed interview, collateral information such as school records and child health assessments can aid in making a diagnosis.
Different psychosocial treatments for ADHD are available, including metacognition, cognitive remediation and working memory training. These psychosocial treatments do not seem to be as effective as pharmacotherapy and are unlikely have the same degree of effectiveness. Complex regimens are often not followed and patients are advised to begin with a lower dose of medication that is easily combined with the use of behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD discover that psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, helps to improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that talk therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or Relapse prevention treatment (RPT) can reduce ADHD symptoms. Talk therapy is psychosocial treatment that involves sessions with a professional therapist or counselor. There are various types of talk therapy and the therapist you choose will depend on your goals and requirements.
Combining psychotherapy and medication is a common method to treat adult ADHD. Studies have proven that combining medication and psychotherapy is more effective than any method alone. This method is also recommended by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Talk what happens if adhd is left untreated in adults or psychotherapy can help you learn to manage ADHD symptoms and manage the symptoms. It can also teach you strategies to cope with difficulties in your work, relationships and school. Your therapist might suggest that you attend individual, group, or family therapy depending on your goals and needs.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that can help people with ADHD improve their self-esteem and functioning. CBT will help you recognize negative thoughts and alter them, which can affect your emotions and behavior. For instance, CBT can teach you to alter your "all or nothing" thinking which can lead people with ADHD to believe that they must do everything perfectly or not at all.
During a therapy session, your therapy therapist listens to you and asks questions to help you understand your thoughts and emotions. They will then give you suggestions based on their experience and research. You might also be assigned homework, such as journaling or trying a new activity. It's crucial to complete the homework, as it will allow you to apply what you've learned.
It's important to keep in mind that seeking treatment is not an indication of weakness. In fact, it's an empowering step towards living the life you've always wanted. You can reach your goals and dreams with the help of psychotherapy.
Education
Education can be an effective method for adults suffering from ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, to learn how to organize tasks, and to learn to communicate with others. It can be beneficial to concentrate on teaching patients how to recognize symptoms and how these affect their behavior. This can be accomplished in private sessions or through group therapy.
Research has demonstrated that a variety of psychosocial interventions can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD individuals and improve their functioning. Educational interventions can improve academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Different behavioral and cognitive therapies have been shown to be effective, including hypnotherapy, neurofeedback, metacognitive training, and cognitive remediation. However none of them have been proved to be superior to the controls and the results require further replication.
In the course of a study it was discovered that a school program that taught students to recognize their own inattention or impulsive behavior was more effective than relying on an inventory to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. Another study showed that a daily behavior report card enhanced academic performance of children suffering from ADHD. It has been proven that training for parents to be a behavioral one is effective in reducing negative parental behavior and enhancing positive family function. However, the effects of therapist-led and self-directed training require further investigation.
Adolescents with ADHD are at a greater risk risk of impaired driving outcomes like crashes that cause injury or death. Intensive summer "bridge" programs have been shown to improve driving skills among adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions that have been discovered to be beneficial include central executive training and working memory training.
Adults suffering from ADHD are unable to maintain stable relationships or jobs. Inability to complete tasks or keep on track poor organizational skills, inattention or impulsive behavior can cause stress for colleagues, coworkers and family members. Psychotherapy that helps patients improve their communication skills can aid in overcoming these difficulties. Couples counseling helps partners resolve issues that arise.
Counseling
While medications can be beneficial for many people suffering from ADHD it does not always eliminate all symptoms. The effects of medication can be unpredictable and trigger adverse effects that affect some people in various ways. Counseling is therefore an essential element of the overall treatment. Counseling can help people find better ways to manage their emotions, improve relationships and self-esteem, as well as learn strategies to cope with the unique challenges of living with ADHD.
The efficacy of psychosocial treatment for ADHD has been demonstrated in numerous controlled trials that were randomized. Some studies found that when a combination of therapy and medication is employed, both the parents and students' ratings of academic performance improves. Additionally, studies have found that using a low dose of stimulant medication in combination with behavioral therapy improves both the behavior of students in class and their homework performance when compared to a control group.
In a recent study high school counselors received training on how to implement two short homework and organization programs for ADHD students. These interventions were compared to an initial course of low dose medication. The results suggest that a sequential multi-assignment, randomized trial may be an effective method to bridge the gap between research findings and actual implementation of school-based interventions for ADHD.
It is recommended that schools implement ADHD interventions that include behavior management and education for parents prior to trying medication. A combination of psychosocial and pharmacotherapy interventions should be the first option for treating adolescents and adults. For adolescents and adults the first treatment should be stimulants (methylphenidate dexamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine or dexamphe), unless they cannot take such medications due to other health issues. In these instances, atomoxetine and guanfacine are alternatives.
A thorough medical examination should be performed to determine the presence of any other disorder that may interfere with learning and functioning, including neurological disorders (such epilepsy, Tourette's syndrome, or cerebral palsy), nutritional problems, substance abuse disorder (SUD), chronic diseases like asthma, and comorbid mental disorders. If the medical history and examination aren't particularly remarkable, a psychiatrist or psychologist may be able to diagnose ADHD using established diagnostic criteria if they find nothing unusual.