Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can impact a person's work, family life and relationships. Treatment options include medication, skill training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved, non-stimulant medication for adult ADHD. It is safe and effective, as per research. Psychosocial interventions that address organizational skills and comorbid conditions have a strong evidence base, notably behavioral parent training (BPT). It is challenging to provide precise psychosocial guidelines.
Medication
Many people with ADHD discover that a combination of psychosocial therapy and medication is best for managing their symptoms. It may take some time before someone can see any improvements in their ADHD symptoms. Consult your physician in the event that you're considering taking medication to help improve your ADHD symptoms. Make sure it's safe for you and doesn't interfere with other medications you are taking.
People with ADHD may have trouble concentrating and focusing, controlling impulses as well as planning and completing tasks within the timeframe. These difficulties can impact on school, work and social interactions. They can make it difficult to take time out and relax.
The most effective treatment for ADHD is medication. The use of medications can reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions and improve a person’s quality of living. Fortunately, medications are not addicting and carry a low risk of misuse. Several studies have shown that people with ADHD benefit from stimulants. Non-stimulant medicines like atomoxetine or Strattera are available to people who are unable to take stimulants' side effects.
The medication isn't the only option. A thorough assessment should include a thorough description of ADHD symptoms and the effects they have on daily functioning. It is also important to determine if the person suffers from any other conditions that are comorbid like depression or anxiety, that could affect the response to therapy and medication.
Medical examination usually does not reveal symptoms of the disorder, and a diagnosis is made upon clinical judgment, with an established history of symptoms that began in the time of birth to. In addition to a thorough interview, other information like school records and health assessments can aid in making a diagnosis.
There are a variety of psychosocial treatments available for ADHD that include metacognition and cognitive rehabilitation. These treatments do not seem to be as effective as pharmacotherapy, and are not likely to have the same degree of effectiveness. Patients are advised to begin with a low-dose medication that can be combined with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people suffering from ADHD discover that talk therapy or psychotherapy can help improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that certain forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can help to reduce symptoms of ADHD. Talk therapy is a form of psychosocial treatment which involves individual sessions with a professional therapist or counselor. Different modalities of talk therapy exist and the choice of therapy should be based on your needs and goals.
A common approach to treating adult ADHD is using a combination of medications and psychotherapy. Studies have proven that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than one by itself. The National Institute of Mental Health also recommends this method.
Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you to cope with ADHD symptoms and manage the symptoms. It can teach you strategies to cope with problems in your work, relationships and school. Your therapist may suggest that you attend group, individual or family therapy based on your needs and goals.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a type of psychotherapy that helps adults with ADHD to improve their self-esteem and functioning. CBT works by teaching you how to recognize and alter negative thoughts that influence your mood and behavior. CBT, for example can help you learn to alter your "all-or-nothing" thinking which can make people with ADHD to believe that they must do everything perfect or not at all.
In a therapy session your therapy therapist listens to you and asks questions to help you understand your thoughts and feelings. The therapist will then give advice based on their experience and research. They might also give you homework, such as journaling or trying something new. It is important to complete your homework as it will help you put what you have learned into practice.
It's important to keep in mind that seeking treatment isn't an indication of weakness. It's a bold move to live the life you've always wanted. With the structure and support that you build through psychotherapy, you can reach your highest goals and ambitions.
Education
Education can be a potent instrument to assist adults with ADHD. It can be used to teach organizational skills, how to prepare for work, and ways to improve the way one talks and listens to others. It can be beneficial to teach patients how to recognize symptoms and how they impact their behavior. This can be accomplished in individual sessions or group therapy.
Research has proven that a variety of psychosocial interventions can significantly reduce problematic symptoms and improve functioning in individuals with ADHD. These include educational programs, which can enhance academic performance and self-report of ADHD symptoms. A variety of behavioral and cognitive treatments have been proven to be efficient, including hypnotherapy neurofeedback, metacognitive learning, and cognitive remediation. However none of them have been proved to be superior to controls and the results need further testing.
In the course of a study it was discovered that an educational program which taught students to recognize their own impulsive or inattentive behavior was more effective than relying on a list to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. A daily behavior report card was found to improve academic performance of children suffering from ADHD in a different study. Training for parents to be more observant has been proven effective in decreasing negative parenting behaviors and enhancing positive family functioning, however the effects of self-directed as opposed to therapist-led training for parents requires more research.
Adolescents who suffer from ADHD are at risk for impaired driving outcomes, including crashes that cause injuries or even death. The intense summer "bridge" program has been proven to enhance the driving abilities of adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions that have been proven to be effective include central executive training and working memory training.
Adults with ADHD typically have trouble keeping an enduring job or relationship. Inability to manage their time as well as inability to complete or finish tasks, and impulsive and inattentive behavior can cause coworkers and family members unhappy. Psychotherapy that helps patients improve their communication skills can aid in overcoming these issues. Couples counseling teaches partners to manage issues that arise.
Counseling
Although medications are beneficial for a significant number of people with ADHD however, it isn't always sufficient to reduce the symptoms in all cases. Medicines can be unpredictably effective and can cause adverse effects that affect some people in different ways. This is why counseling is an essential part of the overall treatment plan. Counseling can help people find better ways to manage their emotions, improve their relationships, build self-esteem and learn strategies to face the unique challenges that come with living with ADHD.
The effectiveness of psychosocial treatments for ADHD has been demonstrated in multiple randomized controlled trials. A few studies showed that when a combination of therapy and medication is used, both student and parent-report of academic performance improves. Studies have also shown that medications that are low doses of stimulant combined with behavioral therapy improved classroom behavior as well as homework performance when compared to a comparison group.
In a recent research study, high school counselors were instructed to implement two brief homework and organizational interventions for students with ADHD. These interventions were compared to an initial course of medication that was low dose. The results suggest that a sequential multi-assignment trial that is randomized could be a viable way to overcome the gap between research and practice in school-based interventions for ADHD.
It is recommended that schools implement ADHD interventions that include behavior education and parental education, before trying medication. For adolescents and adults the first course of treatment should consist of pharmacotherapy with psychosocial interventions. For adolescents and adults the first drug to be considered should be stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamphetamine or lisdexamfetamine), unless they cannot take these medications due to other health issues. In these cases the two options are atomoxetine and Guanfacine. options.
A thorough medical exam must be conducted to determine if there are any other conditions that might affect learning and functioning, such as neurological disorders (such epilepsy, Tourette's syndrome, or cerebral palsy) as well as nutritional issues, substance abuse disorder (SUD) chronic illnesses like asthma, and other comorbid mental disorders. If the medical history and examination aren't particularly remarkable the psychiatrist or psychologist may be able to diagnose ADHD with established diagnostic criteria, if they find no unusual findings.
