Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can affect someone's home life, work and relationships. Standard treatments involve medication, skills training 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, according to research. Psychosocial interventions that focus on the comorbidities and organizational skills have a solid scientific basis, notably BPT, which is a form of behavioral parent education (BPT). However, precision in psychosocial guidelines is not easy to achieve.
Medication
For many people suffering from ADHD, a combination of medication and psychosocial treatment is the best method to manage their symptoms. It can take time for someone to see any improvements in their ADHD symptoms. If you're considering taking medication to help improve your ADHD symptoms, speak to your doctor to make sure that it is suitable for you and will not interfere with other medications you are taking.
People suffering from ADHD may have trouble concentrating and focusing, controlling impulses, planning and completing tasks on time. These issues can impact the school, work and social relationships. These difficulties can also make it hard to relax and enjoy leisure activities.
The most effective treatment for ADHD is medication. They can help reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions and they can dramatically enhance a person's quality of life. Fortunately, medications are not addicting and carry a the lowest risk of misuse. People suffering from ADHD may benefit from stimulants, according to numerous studies. People who are unable to tolerate the adverse effects of stimulant medications may opt for non-stimulants like atomoxetine (Strattera).
Medication is only part of the answer. A thorough evaluation will include a thorough description of ADHD symptoms and the effects they have on daily functioning. It is also important to determine if the patient has any comorbid conditions such as depression and anxiety, which could affect the effectiveness of therapy and medication.
A medical examination is not required to reveal symptoms of the disorder, and a diagnosis is made by clinical judgment, based on a clear evidence of symptoms starting from the time of birth to. A thorough interview can be helpful when combined with additional information, such as school records or health assessments.
Many psychosocial treatments for ADHD are available that include metacognition, cognitive rehabilitation, and working memory training. These psychosocial treatments do not appear to be as effective as pharmacotherapy and are not likely to have the same degree of effectiveness. Patients are advised to start with a lower dose of 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 talking therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or relapse prevention treatment (RPT) can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Talk therapy is a kind of psychosocial treatment that involves one-on-one sessions with a trained 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 requirements.
Combining psychotherapy and medication is a common method to treat adult ADHD. Studies have shown that combining medication and psychotherapy is more effective than either one alone. This method 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 these symptoms. It can also teach you strategies to cope with issues in your relationships, work and school. Your therapist may suggest that you attend individual, group or family therapy, based on your needs and goals.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that can assist people suffering from ADHD improve their self-esteem and functioning. CBT helps you learn how to recognize and change negative thoughts that influence your behavior and emotions. For example, CBT can teach you to change "all or nothing" thinking that can cause people with ADHD to believe that they must do everything perfectly or even not at all.
During a therapy session, your therapist listens to you and asks questions to gain a better understanding of your thoughts and emotions. 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. It is important to complete the homework as it will allow you to practice what you've learned.
It is important to remember that seeking treatment is not a sign of weakness. In fact, it's an empowering step towards living the life you deserve. You can reach your goals and ambitions with the help of psychotherapy.
Education
Education can be an effective tool to help adults with ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, to learn to manage tasks, and to learn to talk and listen to others. It can be helpful to concentrate on teaching patients how to recognize symptoms and how they affect their behavior. This can be accomplished in individual sessions or through group therapy.
Research has shown that a variety of psychosocial treatments can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD individuals and improve their performance. Educational interventions can help improve academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Different behavioral and cognitive therapies have been shown to be effective, including hypnotherapy, metacognitive training, neurofeedback and cognitive remediation. However, not all of them have been proved to be superior to the controls and the results need further testing.
In the course of a study, an educational program that taught students to recognize their own impulsive and inattentive behaviors was found to be more effective than a waitlist control for improving self-report ADHD symptoms. Another study found that a daily report card improved academic performance of children suffering from ADHD. The training of parents on behavior has been proven to be 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 have ADHD are at a higher chance of having impaired driving outcomes such as crashes resulting in injuries or even death. The intensive summer "bridge" program has been proven to improve driving skills in adolescents suffering from 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 unhappy. Psychotherapy that helps patients improve their communication skills can help them manage these difficulties. Couples counseling can help partners resolve issues that arise.
Counseling
Although medications are effective for a lot of people with ADHD but it is not always enough to eliminate the severity of symptoms. The side effects of medications are not always predictable, and they can affect some people in different ways. Counseling is therefore an important component of the treatment plan. Counseling can help patients discover better ways to manage their emotions, improve relationships and self-esteem, as well as learn strategies to face the unique challenges of living with ADHD.
Numerous randomized controlled studies have proven the effectiveness of psychosocial therapy for ADHD. In adult adhd diagnostic assessment and treatment , academic functioning of both students and parents improved when a combination medication and behavioral therapy was utilized. In addition, studies have found that using the use of a small dose of stimulant medications in conjunction with behavioral therapy can improve classroom behavior and homework performance when compared to a control group.
In a recent research study, high school counselors were taught to implement two brief homework and organizational interventions for students suffering from ADHD. These interventions were compared to an initial course of medication that was low dose. The results indicate that a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial could be a viable method to bridge the gap between research and practice in school-based interventions for ADHD.
Before attempting medication it is recommended that schools implement ADHD intervention that includes behavior management and education for parents. A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions should be the first option for treatment for adolescents and adults. For adults and adolescents the first drug to be considered should be stimulants (methylphenidate dexamphetamine, dexamphetamine or lisdexam) as long as they are able to take such medications due to any other health conditions. In these cases, atomoxetine and guanfacine are alternatives.
A thorough medical exam must be conducted to determine if there are any other conditions that could affect learning and functioning, including neurological disorders (such epilepsy, Tourette's Syndrome or cerebral palsy) as well as nutritional issues, substance abuse disorder (SUD) chronic diseases such as asthma, and comorbid mental disorders. If the examination and history are not significant the diagnosis of ADHD can be determined by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist based on established diagnostic criteria.