Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can affect someone's home life, work and relationships. The most common treatments include medications, training for skills and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved, non-stimulant medication for adult ADHD. Research has proven that it is effective and has low potential for abuse. Psychosocial interventions that focus on organizational skills and comorbid conditions have a strong evidence base particularly the behavioral parent training (BPT). It is challenging to provide precise psychosocial guidelines.
Medication
Many people with ADHD find that a combination of psychosocial therapy and medication is best for managing their symptoms. Medical treatment has been proven to be highly effective in reducing symptoms of ADHD, but it can take a while for someone to see the results. If you're considering taking medication to improve your ADHD symptoms, speak to your doctor to confirm that it is safe for you and does not interfere with any other medication you are taking.
People with ADHD have difficulty with focusing and concentrating, controlling their impulses, making plans and completing tasks on time. These issues can impact school, work and social relationships. They can also make it difficult to take time out and relax.
The most effective treatment for ADHD is medication. They can reduce or eliminate the requirement for psychosocial interventions and can enhance the quality of living. The good news is that medications aren't addicting and carry a very low risks of abuse. People with ADHD may benefit from stimulants, according to numerous studies. Non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine, or Strattera, are available for those who are unable to tolerate stimulant adverse effects.
Medication is not the answer. A thorough assessment should include a detailed description of ADHD symptoms and the effects they have on daily functioning. It should also be able to identify if the patient has any other comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety, which could affect the effectiveness of treatment and medications.
A medical examination does not usually reveal any signs of the condition. The diagnosis is based on a clinical judgment, and an history of symptoms that started in childhood. In addition to a detailed interview, additional information like medical records from schools and child health assessments can be useful in diagnosing the condition.
There are many psychosocial treatments available for ADHD, including metacognition and cognitive remediation. However, these do not appear to be more effective than pharmacotherapy, and are unlikely to have the same level of effectiveness as a dosed medication. Patients are advised to start with a low dose medication that can be combined with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people suffering from ADHD find that psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, helps to improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that talking therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or Relapse prevention treatment (RPT) can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Talk therapy is a psychosocial therapy that involves private sessions with a professional counselor or therapist. Different modalities of talk therapy exist and your choice of therapist should be based on your specific needs and goals.
Combining psychotherapy and medication is a common method to treat adult ADHD. Studies have shown that combining medication and psychotherapy is more effective than each method by itself. This approach is also recommended by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you learn to manage ADHD symptoms and manage the symptoms. It can teach you strategies to cope with difficulties in your relationships, work, and school life. Your therapist might suggest that you attend group, individual, or family therapy depending on your goals and needs.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a kind of psychotherapy that can assist adults with ADHD improve their self-esteem and functioning. CBT teaches you how to recognize negative thoughts and modify them, which can affect your behavior and emotions. CBT for instance can help you learn to alter your "all-or-nothing" thinking which can make people with ADHD believe that they must be doing everything perfect 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 advice based on their experience and research. They might also give you assignments, like journaling or trying something new. You must complete your homework since it will help you put what you have learned into practice.
It's important to keep in mind that seeking treatment doesn't mean you are weak. It's a courageous choice to live the life you deserve. You can reach your goals and dreams with the help of psychotherapy.
Education
Education can be a powerful tool for adults with ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, to learn to manage tasks, and to learn to communicate with other people. It can be beneficial to teach patients how to recognize symptoms and how these affect their behavior. This can be done in private sessions or through group therapy.
Research has proven that a variety of psychosocial interventions can significantly reduce the symptoms of ADHD and improve functioning in individuals with ADHD. These include educational interventions that can boost academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Various cognitive and behavior therapies have been proven to be efficient, including hypnotherapy metacognitive training, neurofeedback and cognitive remediation. However, not all of them have been proved to be superior to control methods and the results need further testing.
In a study it was found that an educational program which taught students how to identify their own impulsive or inattentive behavior was more effective than waiting for a list to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. Another study revealed that a daily behavior report card improved academic performance of children suffering from ADHD. Training for parents to be more observant has been shown to be effective in reducing negative parenting behaviors and enhancing positive family functioning, however the effect of self-directed training for parents versus therapist-led parenting needs further exploration.
Adolescents suffering from ADHD are at high risk of impaired driving outcomes, including accidents that cause injuries or even death. The intensive summer "bridge" program has been proven to enhance the driving abilities of adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions found to be useful include central executive training and working memory training.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically have trouble keeping an enduring job or relationship. Poor organizational skills and inability to finish or finish tasks and inattention and impulsive behavior can leave coworkers and family members frustrated. Psychotherapy that helps patients improve their communication skills can aid in overcoming these difficulties. The same can be said for couples counseling that assists partners in dealing with each other's problems when they arise.
Counseling
While medication is effective for a large number of people suffering from ADHD, it is not always sufficient to reduce the severity of symptoms. Medications can be unpredictable and can cause adverse effects that affect some people in various ways. Therefore, psychological treatment for adhd in adults is an essential part of the overall treatment plan. Counseling can help people find better ways to manage their emotions, improve their relationships, build self-esteem and learn strategies to cope with the unique challenges of living with ADHD.
Multiple randomized controlled studies have proven the effectiveness of psychosocial treatment for ADHD. A few studies showed that when a combination of behavioral therapy and medication is employed, both the parents and students' perceptions of academic functioning 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 study, high school counselors were instructed to implement two short homework and organization strategies for students with ADHD. These 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 of bridging the gap between research findings and actual implementation of school-based interventions for ADHD.
Before attempting to take medication it is recommended that schools implement ADHD intervention that includes behavior management and education for parents. For adults and adolescents the initial treatment should be a combination of pharmacotherapy with psychosocial interventions. The first medications for adults and adolescents must be stimulants such as dexamphetamine or methylphenidate, except that any other health issues prevent the use of these drugs. In these cases the use of atomoxetine or guanfacine could be considered.
A thorough medical examination should be performed to determine if there are any other conditions that might affect learning and performance, for example neurological disorders (such epilepsy, Tourette's Syndrome, or cerebral palsy) or nutritional issues and substance abuse disorders (SUD) chronic illnesses like asthma, and comorbid mental disorders. If the medical history and examination are not remarkable the psychiatrist or psychologist may be able to diagnose ADHD with established diagnostic criteria, if they find no unusual findings.