Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can affect someone's work, family life and relationships. Treatments typically include medication, training in skills and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved, non-stimulant medication for adult ADHD. Studies have proven that it is safe and has low potential for abuse. Psychosocial interventions addressing organizational skills and comorbid disorders have a solid evidence base, particularly behavioral parent training (BPT). However, the precision of psychosocial guidelines is a challenge to achieve.
Medication
For many people with ADHD it is believed that a combination of psychosocial treatment and medication is the best method to manage their symptoms. It may take some time for a person to notice any improvements in their ADHD symptoms. If you're considering using medication to treat your ADHD symptoms, consult your doctor to make sure that it is safe for you and will not interact with any other medications you are taking.
People with ADHD struggle with staying focused and concentrating, controlling their impulses, making plans and completing tasks on time. These issues can have a negative impact on work, school and social relationships. These difficulties can also make it hard to relax and take advantage of leisure activities.
The most effective treatment for ADHD is medication. Medications can reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions, and they can greatly enhance a person's quality of life. Fortunately, medications are not addictive and have a very low risks of abuse. People suffering from ADHD may benefit from stimulants, based on numerous studies. If you are not able to handle the negative effects of stimulant medications can choose non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine (Strattera).
The medication isn't the only answer. A thorough evaluation should include a description of symptoms and a discussion of the impact of ADHD symptoms on the person's daily life. It should also address whether the person has any comorbid conditions, such as depression and anxiety, that could affect the effectiveness of therapy and medication.
A medical examination will typically not reveal any indications of the condition. However, Read the Full Guide is based on a clinical judgment and a history of symptoms that began in the early years of childhood. A detailed interview can be helpful when combined with collateral information, such as medical records from schools or child health assessments.
There are many psychosocial treatments available for ADHD such as metacognition and cognitive remediation. These treatments do not seem to be as effective as pharmacotherapy and are unlikely to have the same degree of effectiveness. Complex regimens are not always adhered to, and patients are advised to begin with a low dose of medication that is easily coupled with therapy for behavioral issues.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD discover that therapy or psychotherapy helps them improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that talking therapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or relapse prevention treatment (RPT) can reduce ADHD symptoms. Talk therapy is a form of psychosocial therapy that involves private sessions with a professional counselor or therapist. Different types of therapy are available and the choice of therapist should be based on your needs and goals.
Combining psychotherapy and medication is a common method to treat adult ADHD. Studies have proven that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than each approach alone. This approach is also recommended by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you to cope with ADHD symptoms and manage the symptoms. It can help you learn how to manage issues in your school, work, and relationship life. Based on your needs and goals your therapist might suggest that you participate in individual or family therapy.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a kind of psychotherapy that can help adults with ADHD improve their functioning and self-esteem. CBT teaches you how to recognize negative thoughts and alter them, which can impact your emotions and behavior. CBT for instance can help you to change "all-or-nothing" thinking which can make people with ADHD believe they must do everything perfect or not at all.
In a therapy session your therapist listens to you and asks questions to better understand your thoughts and emotions. They will then provide you with tips based on their experiences and research. You might also be assigned homework, like journaling or trying a new activity. You must 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 is not a sign of weakness. It's a courageous choice to live the life you've always wanted. With the structure and support, as well as the skills gained through psychotherapy, you can achieve your biggest goals and dreams.
Education
Education can be a beneficial tool for adults with ADHD. It can be used to teach organizational skills, how to prepare for tasks, and ways to improve the way someone speaks and listens to others. It can be helpful to teach patients how to recognize symptoms and how they affect their behavior. This can be accomplished in individual sessions or group therapy.
Research has proven that a variety of psychosocial interventions can dramatically reduce problematic symptoms and improve performance in people with ADHD. Educational interventions can enhance academic performance and self-reporting 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, not all of them have been proved to be superior to the controls and the results need further replication.
In a study, an educational program that taught students to identify their own impulsive and inattentive behaviors was found to be more effective than waitlist control program in improving self-report of ADHD symptoms. Another study found that a daily behavior report card improved academic performance of children suffering from ADHD. The training of parents on behavior has been shown to be effective in reducing negative parenting behaviors and increasing positive family functioning, however the effect of self-directed training for parents versus therapist-led parenting needs further investigation.
Adolescents who have ADHD are at a high risk of impaired driving outcomes such as crashes resulting in injuries or even death. Intensive summer "bridge" programs have been proven to improve driving skills among adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions have been proven to be beneficial including central executive training and training for working memory.
Adults with ADHD often have trouble maintaining an enduring job or relationship. Poor organizational skills, inability to complete or complete tasks, and impulsive and inattentive behavior can leave coworkers and family members angry. Psychotherapy that assists patients in improving their communication skills can aid in overcoming these issues. The same is true for couples counseling, which assists partners in dealing with each other's problems as they occur.
Counseling
While medication can be beneficial for a lot of people with ADHD but it doesn't always reduce all symptoms. Medications can be unpredictable and trigger side effects that impact some people in various ways. This is why counseling is an essential part of the overall treatment plan. Counseling can help individuals find better ways to manage their emotions, improve their relationships and self-esteem, as well as learn strategies to deal with the unique challenges that come with living with ADHD.
Multiple studies that have been randomized controlled have proven the effectiveness of psychosocial therapy for ADHD. A few studies showed that when the combination of behavioral therapy and medication is used, both parents and students' ratings of academic performance improves. Studies have also shown that a low dose stimulant medication combined with behavioral therapy improved both classroom behavior and homework performance when compared to a control group.
In a recent research study, high school counselors were trained to implement two short homework and organization interventions for students suffering from ADHD. The two interventions were then compared with an initial course low dose medication. The results suggest that a sequential, multiple-assignment randomized trial could be a viable method to bridge the gap between research findings and actual implementation of school-based interventions for ADHD.
Before taking any medication for ADHD, it is recommended that schools implement ADHD intervention, which includes behavior training and parent education. A combination of psychosocial and pharmacotherapy interventions should be the first option for treatment for adolescents and adults. The first medication for adolescents and adults should be stimulants, such dexamphetamine or methylphenidate, unless any other health issues prevent them from taking these drugs. In such cases the use of atomoxetine or guanfacine could be considered.
A thorough medical examination should be conducted to rule out any other conditions that could affect learning and functioning, including neurological disorders (such as Tourette's syndrome, epilepsy or cerebral palsy) as well as nutrition issues and substance use disorders (SUD) chronic illnesses like asthma, and comorbid psychological disorders. If the medical history and examination are not remarkable, a psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose ADHD using established diagnostic criteria if they find nothing unusual.