Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can affect someone's home life, work and relationships. The most common treatments are medication, skill-training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved non-stimulant drug for adults with ADHD. It is safe and effective, based on research. Psychosocial interventions that target the comorbidities and organizational skills have a solid evidence base including behavioral parent training (BPT). However, accuracy in psychosocial guidelines is not easy to achieve.
Medication
For many people suffering from ADHD the combination of medication and psychosocial treatment is the best way to manage their symptoms. adhd symptoms and treatment in adults 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. Talk to your doctor in the event that you're considering using medication to treat your ADHD symptoms. Make sure that it's safe for you and that it doesn't interact with other medications you are taking.
People with ADHD may have trouble concentrating and focusing, controlling impulses as well as planning and completing tasks on time. These issues can impact the school, work and social interactions. They can make it difficult to take time out and take time to relax.
The most effective treatment for ADHD is medication. They can help reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions and they can greatly enhance a person's quality of life. Fortunately, doctors who treat adhd in adults are not addictive and they have low risk of abuse. Numerous studies have proven that people suffering from ADHD benefit from the use of stimulants. Non-stimulant medicines like atomoxetine, or Strattera are available for people who are unable to take stimulants' adverse effects.
The medication isn't the only answer. A thorough assessment should include a thorough description of ADHD symptoms and the impact they have on everyday functioning. It should also address whether the patient has any comorbid conditions like depression or anxiety, that could affect the effectiveness of therapy and medications.
A medical exam does typically not reveal any indications of the condition. The diagnosis is based on a clinical judgement, and an history of symptoms that began in the early years of childhood. In addition to a thorough interview, collateral information like school records and child health assessments can be helpful in diagnosing the condition.
Many psychosocial treatments for ADHD are available that include metacognition, cognitive remediation and working memory training. However, they do not seem to be superior to psychotherapy, and aren't likely to have the same level of effectiveness as a well-dosed medication. The more complex regimens are usually not followed and patients are advised to start with a lower dose of medication that is easily coupled with the use of behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people suffering from ADHD discover that therapy or psychotherapy can help improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that talk 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 therapist or counselor. There are many kinds of therapy that can be used and the therapist you choose will depend on your goals and preferences.
Combining medication and psychotherapy is a common method to treat adult ADHD. Studies have demonstrated that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than any approach alone. The National Institute of Mental Health also recommends this approach.
Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you learn to deal with ADHD symptoms and manage the symptoms. It can teach you how to manage issues in your school, work and personal life. Your therapist may suggest you attend group, individual or family therapy based on your needs and goals.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps adults with ADHD improve their self-esteem and functioning. CBT is a method of teaching you how to recognize and alter negative thoughts, which can affect your emotions and behaviors. For example, CBT can teach you to change "all or nothing" thinking, which can cause people with ADHD to believe that they must perform everything flawlessly or not at all.
In a therapy session your counselor listens to your story and asks questions to gain a better understanding of your thoughts and emotions. They will then provide you with advice based on their experience and research. They might also give you assignments, like journaling or trying something new. You should do your homework as it will help you put what you have learned into practice.
It is important to remember that seeking treatment does not necessarily mean you're weak. It's a courageous choice to live the life you've always wanted. With the structure, support, and skills gained through psychotherapy, you can attain your most important goals and ambitions.
Education
Education can be an effective tool for adults with ADHD. Education may include classes that teach organizational skills, how to prepare for tasks, and ways to improve the way one speaks and listens to other people. Therapy that focuses on helping the patient to identify their symptoms and how they impact their behavior could also be beneficial. This can be done in individual sessions or group therapy.
Research has shown that a variety of psychosocial interventions can help to reduce symptoms that are problematic for ADHD individuals and improve their functioning. These include educational interventions, which can boost academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Many behavioral and cognitive treatments have been proven to be efficient. They include hypnotherapy and neurofeedback. However, not all of these have been proven to be superior to control methods and the results need further testing.
In one study, an educational program that taught students to identify their own impulsive and inattentive behavior was found to be more effective than waitlist control in improving self-report of ADHD symptoms. Another study revealed that a daily behavior report card helped improve academic performance of children suffering from ADHD. It has been demonstrated that training for parents to be a behavioral one is effective in reducing negative parental behaviors and increasing positive family functioning. However, the effects of therapist-led and self-directed training need further exploration.
Adolescents who have ADHD are at a greater risk danger of driving accidents that result from impaired thinking, like crashes that cause injuries or even death. The intensive summer "bridge" programs have been proven to enhance driving skills among adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions that have been discovered to be beneficial include central executive training and working memory training.
Adults with ADHD often have trouble maintaining a stable job or relationships. 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 communication skills can help them overcome these issues. This is also true for couples counseling that helps couples learn how to deal with each other's problems as they arise.
Counseling
While medication is effective for many people with ADHD but it doesn't always alleviate all symptoms. The effects of medication can be unpredictable and can cause negative side effects that affect certain people in different ways. This is why counseling is an important component of the overall treatment plan. Counseling can help people learn to better manage their emotions, develop relationships, and boost self-esteem.
Numerous randomized controlled studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of psychosocial treatment for ADHD. In some studies, the academic performance of both parents and students improved when a combination of medication and behavioral therapy was employed. Studies have also proven that a low dose stimulant medication combined with behavioral therapy improved the behavior of students in class 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 with ADHD. These interventions were compared with the initial course, which contained a low dose medication. The results suggest that a sequential, multiple-assignment randomized trial could be a viable method of bridging the gap between research findings and actual practices in school-based programs for ADHD.
It is recommended that schools implement ADHD interventions that include behavior education and education for parents prior to taking medication. A combination of psychosocial and pharmacotherapy interventions should be the primary option for treatment for adolescents and adults. For adolescents and adults, the first medication should be stimulants (methylphenidate dexamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine or dexamphe) in the event that they are unable to use these medications due to any other health issues. In these cases the use of atomoxetine or guanfacine could be considered.
A thorough medical examination should be conducted to rule out any other disorders that might affect learning and functioning, including neurological disorders (such epilepsy, Tourette's Syndrome, 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 unremarkable the diagnosis of ADHD is made by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist using established diagnostic criteria.