Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can affect a person's work, home life and relationships. The most common treatments include medication, training in skills and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine, also known as Strattera is the only FDA approved non-stimulant medication for use to treat adult ADHD. It is safe and effective, based on research. Psychosocial interventions that focus on the comorbidities and organizational skills have a solid evidence base, notably BPT, which is a form of behavioral parent education (BPT). However, accuracy in psychosocial guidelines is not easy to attain.
Medication
Many people suffering from ADHD discover that a combination of psychosocial therapy and medication is best to treat their symptoms. Medical treatment has been proven to be highly efficient in reducing symptoms of ADHD but it can take a while for someone to see the results. Consult your physician in the event that you're considering using medication to treat your ADHD symptoms. Be sure that the medication is safe for you and doesn't interfere with other medications you take.
People suffering from ADHD might have difficulty focus and concentration, regulating impulses and planning tasks in time. These difficulties can affect school, work and social relationships. They can also make it difficult to take time out and unwind.
The most effective treatment for ADHD is medication. Medications are able to reduce or eliminate the requirement for psychosocial interventions and can improve a person’s quality of living. Fortunately, medication does not cause addiction and carry a low risk of abuse. A number of studies have demonstrated that people with ADHD benefit from stimulants. Non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine or Strattera are available for people who are unable to take stimulants' adverse effects.
Medication is only part of the answer. A thorough assessment will include a thorough description of ADHD symptoms and the impact they have on everyday functioning. It should also be able to identify if the patient has any other comorbidities such as depression and anxiety, that could affect the response to treatment and medications.
A medical exam does generally not reveal any symptoms of the condition. Instead, a diagnosis is based on clinical judgement, and a history of symptoms that began in the earliest years of childhood. A detailed interview can be beneficial when paired with additional information, like medical records from schools or child health assessments.
There are many psychosocial treatments available for ADHD, including metacognition and cognitive rehabilitation. These treatments do not appear 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 start with a small dose of medication that is easily mixed with therapy for behavioral issues.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD discover that therapy or psychotherapy can help improve their lives. Some studies suggest that certain kinds of talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can reduce symptoms of ADHD. Talk therapy is a type of psychosocial treatment that involves one-on-one sessions with a professional counselor or therapist. There are many kinds of therapy that can be used, and the therapist you choose should be based on your goals and needs.
Combining medication and psychotherapy is a popular method to treat adult ADHD. Studies have shown that combining medication and psychotherapy is more effective than either one alone. The National Institute of Mental Health also recommends this method.
Talk therapy, or psychotherapy, can help you manage your ADHD symptoms and help you develop coping skills. It can help you learn how to manage issues in your school, work and in your relationship. Based on your goals and needs your therapist might suggest that you participate in individual or family therapy.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of psychotherapy which can help adults suffering from ADHD to improve their self-esteem as well as functioning. CBT works by teaching you how to recognize and change negative thoughts that can influence your behavior and emotions. CBT for instance, can teach you how to alter your "all-or-nothing" thinking which can make people with ADHD believe 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 feelings. They will then offer advice based on their experience and research. You may also be given homework, like journaling or trying a new activity. adhd in adults untreated to complete homework because it will allow you to practice what you've learned.
It is important to remember that seeking treatment does not mean you are weak. In fact, it's a courageous step towards living the life you deserve. You can accomplish your goals and dreams with the help of psychotherapy.
Education
Education can be a beneficial tool for adults with ADHD. Education can include classes to teach organizational skills, how to prepare for tasks, and ways to improve the way someone speaks and listens to others. Therapy that focuses on helping the patient to be aware of their symptoms and how they affect their behavior can be helpful. This can be done in a group or individual therapy.
Research has demonstrated that a variety psychosocial interventions can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD people and improve their functioning. These include educational programs, which can boost academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Many behavioral and cognitive therapies have been proven to be effective. These include hypnotherapy and neurofeedback. However none of them have been proved to be superior to control methods and the results need more research.
In a study, it was found that an educational program which taught students how to identify their own inattention or impulsive behavior was more effective than waiting on a list to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. Another study showed that a daily behavioral report card helped improve academic performance in children with ADHD. The training of parents on behavior has been shown to be effective in reducing negative parenting behaviors and increasing positive family functioning, but the impact of self-directed parenting training for parents versus therapist-led parenting needs more research.
Adolescents suffering from ADHD are at risk of having impaired driving, such as crashes that cause injury or death. Intense summer "bridge" programs have been shown to improve driving skills among adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions discovered to be beneficial include central executive training and working memory training.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically have trouble keeping a stable job or relationships. Inability to finish tasks or complete them, poor organizational skills and uncontrollable or inattentive behavior can strain the patience of colleagues, coworkers and family members. Psychotherapy that assists patients in improving their communication skills can aid in overcoming these difficulties. The same is true for couples counseling which assists partners in dealing with each other's problems when they occur.
Counseling
While medication is effective for a lot of people with ADHD, it is not always sufficient to reduce the symptoms in all cases. The effects of medication can be unpredictable, and they can affect certain individuals in a different way. Counseling is therefore an important component of the overall treatment. Counseling can help people find better methods to manage their emotions, improve relationships, build self-esteem and learn strategies to cope with the unique challenges associated with living with ADHD.
The effectiveness of psychosocial therapies for ADHD has been demonstrated in numerous controlled trials that were randomized. Certain studies have shown that when the combination of medication and behavioral therapy is employed, both the parents and students' perceptions of academic performance improves. Studies have also demonstrated that a low dose stimulant medication coupled with behavioral therapy can improve both classroom behavior and homework performance when compared to a comparison 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 to an initial course low dose medication. The results suggest that a sequential multi-assignment trial that is randomized could be an effective way to bridge the gap between research and practice in school-based intervention for ADHD.
It is recommended that schools implement ADHD interventions that include behavior education and parental education, before trying medications. A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions should be the primary option for treating adults and adolescents. For adults and adolescents the first drug to be considered should be stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamphetamine or lisdexamfetamine) as long as they are able to take these medications due to other health conditions. In these situations, atomoxetine and guanfacine are options.
A thorough medical exam must be performed to determine the presence of any other disorder that may interfere with learning and functioning, such as neurological disorders (such epilepsy, Tourette's Syndrome or cerebral palsy), nutritional problems and substance abuse disorders (SUD) chronic illnesses such as asthma, and comorbid mental disorders. If the history and exam are not significant the diagnosis of ADHD can be determined by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist based on established diagnostic criteria.