Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can impact a person's work, family life and relationships. The most common treatments are medications, skill training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine is also known as Strattera, is the only FDA approved non-stimulant medication for use to treat adult ADHD. It is safe and effective, according to research. 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 difficult to attain.
Medication
For many people suffering from ADHD it is believed that a combination of medication and psychosocial treatment is the best way to manage their symptoms. The use of medication has been proven to be highly efficient in reducing symptoms of ADHD, but it can take a while for a person to see the results. Talk to your doctor if you're considering taking medication to help improve your ADHD symptoms. Be sure that the medication is safe for you, and doesn't interfere with other medications that you take.
People with ADHD may have trouble staying focused and focused, directing impulses, planning and completing tasks on time. These difficulties can affect work, school and social relationships. These difficulties can also make it hard to relax and enjoy leisure activities.
The most effective treatment for ADHD is medication. Medications can reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions, and they can dramatically improve a person's quality of life. It is good to know that medications aren't addictive and have a the lowest risk of misuse. Several studies have shown that people suffering from ADHD benefit from using stimulants. Non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine, or Strattera, are available for people who are unable to take stimulants' side effects.
The medication isn't the only answer. A thorough assessment will include a thorough description of ADHD symptoms and the effects they have on daily functioning. It is important to determine if the patient suffers from any co-morbid disorders such as anxiety or depression that could affect the response to medication and treatment.
A medical examination is not required to show signs of the disorder, and a diagnosis is based on clinical judgement, with an evident evidence of symptoms starting from the time of birth to. A thorough interview can be beneficial when paired with additional information, such as medical records from schools or child health assessments.
Various psychosocial treatments for ADHD are available that include metacognition, cognitive rehabilitation, and working memory training. However, they do not appear to be more effective than the pharmacotherapy method, and are not likely to have the same level of effectiveness as a dosed medication. Patients are advised to begin with a low dose medication that can be paired with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people suffering from ADHD find that psychotherapy, or talk therapy, helps them improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that talking therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or Relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. Talk therapy is a form of psychosocial treatment that consists of one-on-one sessions with a professional counselor or therapist. There are signs of untreated adhd in adults of talk therapy, and the therapist you select should be based on your goals and preferences.
A common approach to treating adult ADHD is using the combination of medication and psychotherapy. 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, also known as talk therapy, can aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms and help you develop how to cope. It can also provide strategies to deal with problems in your relationships, work, and school life. Your therapist may suggest you attend group, individual or family therapy based on your goals and needs.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that can help people with ADHD improve their self-esteem and functioning. CBT works by teaching you how to recognize and change negative thoughts that can influence your behavior and emotions. CBT, for example can help you learn to change "all-or-nothing" thinking that makes people with ADHD to believe that they must do everything perfectly or not at all.
In a therapy session, your therapist listens to you and asks questions to help you understand your thoughts and feelings. They will then give you tips based on their experiences and research. They might also provide you with assignments, like journaling or trying something new. You should do your homework since it will assist you in putting what have learned into action.
It's important to keep in mind that seeking treatment does not mean that you're weak. It's a courageous choice to live the life you deserve. With the structure and support that you acquire through psychotherapy, you will be able to attain your most important goals and dreams.
Education
Education can be a potent tool to help adults with ADHD. It can be used to teach organizational skills, how to prepare for tasks, and methods to improve the way one speaks and listens to others. It can be helpful to focus on teaching patients how to recognize symptoms and how they affect their behavior. This can be accomplished in individual sessions or in group therapy.
Research has shown that many psychosocial interventions can significantly reduce symptoms that cause problems and improve the functioning of people with ADHD. Educational interventions can help improve academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Many behavioral and cognitive therapies have been shown to be efficient. They include hypnotherapy and neurofeedback. Nevertheless, not all of them have been proven superior to the controls. Further replication is needed to verify the results.
In 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 an inventory to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. Another study revealed that a daily behavioral report card helped improve academic performance of children suffering from ADHD. It has been demonstrated that training for parents to be a behavioral one can be 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 who have ADHD are at a high danger of driving accidents that result from impaired thinking, like crashes that result in injuries or even death. The intense summer "bridge" program has been proven to enhance driving abilities in adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions have been found to be helpful such as central executive training and training for working memory.
Adults suffering from ADHD struggle to maintain stable relationships or jobs. Inability to manage their time, inability to complete or finish tasks, and impulsive and inattentive behavior can leave coworkers and family members angry. Psychotherapy that helps patients improve their communication skills can help manage these difficulties. The same can be said for couples counseling, which assists partners in dealing with each other's problems when they arise.
Counseling
While medication is effective for a large number of people with ADHD, it is not always sufficient to reduce all symptoms. The side effects of medications are not always predictable, and they can affect some people in different ways. Counseling is therefore an essential part of the 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 associated with living with ADHD.
The effectiveness of psychosocial therapies for ADHD has been demonstrated in multiple randomized controlled trials. Certain studies have shown that when the combination of therapy and medication is employed, both the parents and students' ratings of academic performance improves. Studies have also demonstrated that a low dose stimulant medication combined with a behavioral therapy program improved classroom behavior and homework performance when compared with a comparably group.
In a recent research, high school counselors were trained on how to implement two short homework and organization programs for ADHD students. The two interventions were compared to an initial course of low dose medication. The results suggest that a sequential multi-assignment randomized trial may be a viable method to bridge 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 taking medication. For adults and adolescents the first course of treatment should consist of psychosocial interventions and pharmacotherapy. For adolescents and adults, the first medication should be stimulants (methylphenidate dexamphetamine, dexamphetamine or lisdexam) as long as they are able to use these medications due to any other health issues. In these cases either atomoxetine, or guanfacine may be considered.
A thorough medical exam must be performed to determine if there are any other conditions that could affect learning and functioning, such as neurological disorders (such epilepsy, Tourette's syndrome or cerebral palsy) or nutritional issues and substance abuse disorders (SUD), chronic diseases like asthma, and other comorbid mental disorders. If the exam and history are not revealing and the diagnosis is not clear, ADHD can be determined by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist using an established diagnostic criteria.