Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD affects people in ways that impact their home, work and relationships. The most common treatments are medications, skill training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine, also known as Strattera is the only FDA approved non-stimulant medication to treat adult ADHD. It is safe and effective, based on research. Psychosocial interventions to improve organizational skills and comorbid disorders have a strong evidence base, particularly behavioral parent training (BPT). However, accuracy in psychosocial guidelines is not easy to achieve.
Medication
Many people with ADHD discover that a combination of psychosocial therapy and medication is best for managing their symptoms. The use of medication has been proven to be extremely efficient in reducing symptoms of ADHD, but it can take a few months for people to see the results. If you're thinking of taking medication to improve your ADHD symptoms, talk to your doctor to confirm that it is safe for you and does not interfere with other medications you're taking.
People suffering from ADHD have difficulty with focusing and concentrating, regulating impulses planning and completing tasks on time. These difficulties can affect the school, work and social interactions. These problems can also make it difficult to relax and take pleasure in leisure activities.
The most effective treatment for ADHD is medication. Medications are able to reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions and can enhance the quality of living. Fortunately, they don't cause addiction and carry the lowest risk of abuse. A number of studies have demonstrated that people suffering from ADHD benefit from stimulants. People who are unable to tolerate the adverse effects of stimulant medications may choose non-stimulants such as atomoxetine (Strattera).
The medication is just one part of the solution. A thorough evaluation should include a detailed history of symptoms and a discussion of the effects of ADHD symptoms on a person's daily functioning. It is crucial to determine if the patient has any co-morbid conditions such as anxiety or depression that may affect the response to medication or treatment.
A medical examination is not required to reveal any signs of the disorder, and a diagnosis is made by clinical judgment, based on an evident history of symptoms from childhood onwards. A thorough interview may be beneficial when paired with other information, like school records or health assessments.
There are many psychosocial treatments available for ADHD, including metacognition and cognitive remediation. However, these do not seem to be more effective than pharmacotherapy, and are unlikely to be as effective of effectiveness as a dosed medication. Patients are advised to start with a low-dose medication that can be paired with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD find that psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help to improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that talk therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or Relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. Talk therapy is a psychosocial treatment which involves individual sessions with a professional counselor or therapist. Different kinds of talk therapy exist and your choice of therapy should be based on your specific needs and goals.
A common approach to treating adult ADHD is to use a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Studies have shown that combining therapy and medication is more effective than either one on its own. The National Institute of Mental Health also recommends this approach.
Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you learn to cope with ADHD symptoms and manage the symptoms. It can teach you strategies to cope with difficulties in your work, relationships, and school life. Depending on your needs and goals your therapist might suggest that you take part in individual, family, or group therapy.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people with ADHD to boost their self-esteem and functioning. CBT works by teaching you how to recognize and modify negative thoughts that can influence your mood and behavior. CBT, for example can help you learn to alter your "all-or-nothing" thinking that can cause people with ADHD to believe that they must do everything perfectly or not at all.
During an appointment the therapist will listen to you and ask questions to better understand your thoughts and emotions. They will then provide you with tips based on their experiences and research. You may also be given homework, such as journaling or trying a new activity. You must complete your homework because it will help you put what you have learned into action.
It's important to remember that seeking treatment does not mean you are weak. In fact, it's an empowering step towards living the life you deserve. You can reach your goals and ambitions by utilizing psychotherapy.
Education
Education can be a powerful tool for adults with ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, learn how to organize tasks, and to learn to talk and listen to other people. Therapy that focuses on teaching the patient to be aware of their symptoms and how they affect behavior can be helpful. This can be done in a group or individual therapy.
Research has proven that a variety psychosocial interventions can help to reduce symptoms that are problematic for ADHD people and enhance their performance. Visit Webpage include educational interventions, which can improve academic achievement and self-report of ADHD symptoms. Many cognitive and behavioral therapies have been proven to be efficient. These include hypnotherapy as well as neurofeedback. Nevertheless, not all of them have been proven to be superior to the controls. Further replication is needed to confirm the results.
In a study, a program that taught students to identify their own impulsive and inattentive behaviors was found to be more effective than a waitlist control in improving self-report of ADHD symptoms. Another study showed that a daily report card enhanced academic performance for children with ADHD. It has been established that training for parents to be a behavioral one is effective in reducing negative parental behaviors and promoting positive family function. However, the results of self-directed versus therapist-led training need further exploration.
Adolescents with ADHD are at a high risk of impaired driving outcomes, such as accidents that cause injury or death. The intensive summer "bridge" program has been proven to improve driving skills in adolescents suffering from ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions have been discovered to be beneficial such as central executive training and training for working memory.
Adults with ADHD often have trouble maintaining stability in their jobs or relationships. Inability to organize their lives as well as inability to complete or finish tasks and inattention and impulsive behavior can make co-workers and family members angry. Psychotherapy that helps patients improve communication skills can help them overcome these challenges. Couples counseling teaches partners to deal with problems that arise.
Counseling
While medication is beneficial for a lot of people with ADHD however, it is not always able to reduce the symptoms in all cases. The effects of medication can be unpredictable and cause negative side effects that affect certain 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 face the unique challenges of living with ADHD.
Multiple randomized controlled studies have proven the efficacy of psychosocial treatment for ADHD. Some studies found that when a combination of medication and behavioral therapy is employed, both the parents and students' perceptions of academic performance improves. Additionally, studies have demonstrated that using the use of a small dose of stimulant medication in combination with behavioral therapy improves both classroom behavior and homework performance compared to a control group.
In a recent study high school counselors were trained to implement two brief homework and organizational interventions for students suffering from ADHD. The interventions were compared with an initial course of low dose medication. The results indicate that a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial could be a viable way to overcome the gap between research and practice in school-based treatment for ADHD.
It is recommended that schools implement ADHD interventions that include behavior management and education for parents prior to trying medications. A combination of psychosocial and pharmacotherapy interventions should be the primary option for treatment for adolescents and adults. The first medication for adolescents and adults should be stimulants, such methylphenidate or dexamphetamine, unless other health conditions prevent them from taking these medications. In such cases either atomoxetine, or guanfacine may be considered.
A thorough medical exam must be performed to determine if there are any other conditions that might affect learning and functioning, such as neurological disorders (such Tourette's Syndrome, epilepsy, or cerebral palsy) or nutritional issues as well as substance abuse disorder (SUD) chronic illnesses like asthma, and comorbid mental disorders. If the exam and history are not revealing and the diagnosis is not clear, ADHD is made by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist based on established diagnostic criteria.