Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can impact a person's home life, work and relationships. The most common treatments include medication, skills training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved, non-stimulant medication for adults with ADHD. It is safe and effective, according to research. Psychosocial interventions that focus on organizational skills and comorbid conditions have a strong evidence base including BPT, which is a form of behavioral parent education (BPT). It is difficult to give precise psychosocial guidelines.
Medication
For many people with ADHD the combination of medication and psychosocial treatment is the best way to manage their symptoms. It may take some time for someone to see any improvement in their ADHD symptoms. Consult your doctor in the event that you're considering using medication to treat your ADHD symptoms. Make sure it's safe for you and that it doesn't interact with other medications that you take.
People suffering from ADHD may have trouble concentrating and focusing, controlling impulses and planning tasks on time. These issues can have a negative impact on school, work and social relationships. These difficulties can also make it hard to relax and enjoy leisure activities.
The most effective treatment is medication. treatments based on scientific evidence for ADHD. The use of medications can reduce or eliminate the requirement for psychosocial interventions, and improve a person’s quality of life. Fortunately, they don't cause addiction and have the lowest chance of being misused. People suffering from ADHD can benefit from stimulants, as per various studies. People who are unable to tolerate the adverse effects of stimulant medication can choose non-stimulants such as atomoxetine (Strattera).
Medication is not the solution. A thorough assessment should include a history of symptoms and a discussion of the effects of ADHD symptoms on a person's everyday functioning. It should also address whether the patient has any other comorbidities like depression or anxiety, that could affect the response to therapy and medications.
Medical examinations usually do not reveal any signs of the disorder and a diagnosis is based upon clinical judgment, with an evident history of symptoms from childhood onwards. In addition to a thorough interview, collateral information such as school records and child health assessments can aid in making a diagnosis.
Many psychosocial treatments for ADHD are available such as metacognition, cognitive remediation and working memory training. However, none of these appear to be more effective than psychotherapy, and aren't likely to achieve the same level of efficacy as a properly dosed medication. Patients are advised to begin with a low-dose medication that is able to be combined with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD find that talking therapy or psychotherapy helps them improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that certain forms of talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can help reduce symptoms of ADHD. Talk therapy is psychosocial treatment which involves individual sessions with a trained therapist or counselor. Different types of talk therapy are available and the choice of the therapist you choose should be based on your preferences and goals.
A common method of treating adult ADHD is using a combination of medications and psychotherapy. Studies have demonstrated that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than each method alone. This method is also recommended by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Talk psychological treatment for adhd in adults , or psychotherapy can help you manage your ADHD symptoms and learn strategies for coping. It can help you learn how to handle problems in your school, work, and relationship life. Your therapist may suggest that you attend group, individual or family therapy, based on your goals and requirements.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that can assist people with ADHD improve their functioning and self-esteem. CBT is a method of teaching you how to recognize and change negative thoughts, which can influence your mood and behavior. For instance, CBT can teach you to shift your "all or nothing" thinking, which can cause people with ADHD to believe that they must perform everything perfectly or even not at all.
In a session, your counselor will listen to you and ask questions to understand your thoughts and feelings. They will then provide you with suggestions based on their experience and research. They might also provide you with homework, such as journaling or trying something new. It is important to complete your homework since it will assist you in putting what have learned into practice.
It is important to remember that seeking treatment does not mean you are weak. In fact, it's a brave step towards living the life you deserve. With the structure and support, as well as the skills gained through psychotherapy, it is possible to achieve your biggest goals and dreams.
Education
Education can be an effective tool for adults with ADHD. Education can include classes to teach organizational skills, methods to prepare for tasks, and ways to improve the way someone speaks and listens to other people. Therapy that focuses on helping the patient to be aware of their symptoms and how they affect behavior could also be beneficial. This can be accomplished through private sessions or through group therapy.
Research has shown that many psychosocial interventions can dramatically reduce symptoms that cause problems and improve performance in people with ADHD. These include educational interventions that can enhance academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Many cognitive and behavioral therapies have been shown to be effective. These include hypnotherapy and neurofeedback. However they are not all have been proven to be superior over controls. Further replication is needed to verify the results.
In the course of a study it was found that an educational program which taught students to recognize their own inattention or impulsive behavior was more effective than waiting on a list to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. Another study found that a daily report card helped improve 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 increasing positive family functioning, but the effect of self-directed as opposed to therapist-led training for parents requires further investigation.
Adolescents who have ADHD are at a high risk of impaired driving outcomes like crashes that cause injuries or even death. Intensive summer "bridge" programs have been proven to enhance driving skills in adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions have been proven to be beneficial, including central executive training and training for working memory.
Adults with ADHD typically have trouble keeping a stable job or relationships. Inability to finish tasks or complete them in a timely manner, lack of organizational skills and inattention or impulsive behavior can strain the patience of co-workers, colleagues and family members. Psychotherapy that helps patients improve their communication skills can aid in overcoming these difficulties. Couples counseling teaches partners to resolve issues that arise.
Counseling
While medication is beneficial for many people suffering from ADHD it does not always alleviate the symptoms in all cases. The side effects of medications can be unpredictable and they can affect certain people differently. For this reason, counseling is an important component of the overall treatment plan. Counseling can help individuals find better methods to manage their emotions, improve relationships, build self-esteem and learn strategies to deal with the unique challenges associated with living with ADHD.
The effectiveness of psychosocial treatments for ADHD has been demonstrated in numerous controlled trials that were randomized. Some studies found that when a combination of behavioral therapy and medication is employed, both the student and parent-report of academic functioning improves. Studies have also proven that medications that are low doses of stimulant coupled with behavioral therapy can improve the behavior of students in class as well as the performance on homework when compared with a comparably group.
In a recent research study, high school counselors were trained to implement two short homework and organization interventions for students suffering from ADHD. The two interventions were then compared with an initial course of low dose medication. The results suggest that a sequential, multiple assignment randomized trial could be an effective way to bridge the gap between research and practice in school-based interventions for ADHD.
Before attempting medication for ADHD, it is recommended that schools implement ADHD intervention which includes behavior education and education for parents. A combination of psychosocial and pharmacotherapy interventions should be the first option for treating adolescents and adults. The first medications for adults and adolescents must be stimulants, such methylphenidate or dexamphetamine, unless some other health conditions prohibit them from taking these drugs. In these cases the use of atomoxetine or guanfacine could be considered.
A thorough medical examination should be conducted to rule out other disorders that can interfere with functioning and learning, including neurological disorders (such as epilepsy, Tourette's Syndrome, or cerebral palsy), nutrition problems and substance use disorders (SUD), chronic illnesses such as asthma, and comorbid psychological disorders. If the exam and history are not significant the diagnosis of ADHD can be made by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist based on established diagnostic criteria.