Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can affect a person's work, family life and relationships. Treatments typically 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 to improve the comorbid disorder and organizational skills have a solid evidence base including behavioral parent training (BPT). It is difficult to give specific psychosocial guidelines.
Medication
For many people with ADHD the combination of psychosocial treatment and medication is the best way to manage their symptoms. Medical treatment has been proven to be highly efficient in reducing symptoms of ADHD however, it may take some time for people to see the results. Talk to your doctor in the event that you're considering taking medication to help improve your ADHD symptoms. Make sure it's safe for you and that it won't interact with other medications that you take.
People suffering from ADHD have trouble focusing and concentrating, controlling their impulses, making plans and completing tasks on time. These issues can have a negative impact on school, work and social interactions. These issues can make it difficult to relax and enjoy leisure activities.
Medicines are the most effective evidence-based treatment for ADHD. They can reduce or eliminate the requirement for psychosocial interventions, and enhance the quality of living. Fortunately, medications do not cause addiction and carry an extremely low chance of being misused. Several studies have shown that people suffering from ADHD benefit from using stimulants. People who are unable to tolerate the adverse effects of stimulant medications can opt for non-stimulants like atomoxetine (Strattera).
The medication isn't the only answer. A thorough evaluation should include a detailed history of symptoms and a discussion of the effects of ADHD symptoms on a person's everyday functioning. It should also address whether the person suffers from any other comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety, which could affect the response to treatment and medications.
A medical examination is not required to reveal any symptoms of the disorder, and a diagnosis is based upon clinical judgment, with a clear evidence of symptoms starting from childhood onwards. A thorough interview can be useful in conjunction with collateral information, such as school records or child health assessments.
There are many psychosocial treatments available for ADHD that include metacognition and cognitive rehabilitation. These psychosocial treatments do not seem to be as effective as pharmacotherapy, and are unlikely have the same level effectiveness. Patients are advised to begin with a low-dose medication that can be combined with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD discover that psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help them improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that talking therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or Relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Talk therapy is a form of psychosocial treatment that consists of one-on-one sessions between a professional counselor or therapist. Different kinds of talk therapy are available and your choice of therapy should be based on your needs and goals.
Combining medication and psychotherapy is a common method to treat adult ADHD. Studies have proven that combining medication and psychotherapy is more effective than any approach alone. The National Institute of Mental Health also recommends this approach.
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy can aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms and learn coping skills. It can provide strategies to deal with issues in your relationships, work and school. Your therapist may suggest you attend group, individual or family therapy, based on your goals and requirements.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of psychotherapy that can assist adults with ADHD to boost their self-esteem and performance. CBT is a method of teaching you how to recognize and modify negative thoughts that influence your behavior and emotions. CBT can, for instance can help you to overcome "all-or-nothing" thinking which can make people with ADHD believe that they must be doing everything perfectly or not at all.
During a session the counselor will listen to you and ask questions to help you understand your thoughts and emotions. They will then provide you with advice based on their experience and research. You might also be provided with homework, like journaling or attempting a new activity. It is important to complete your homework since it will assist you in putting what have learned into practice.
It is important to keep in mind that seeking treatment does not mean that you're weak. In fact, it's a brave step towards living the life you've always wanted. With the structure, support, and skills gained through psychotherapy, you can reach your highest goals and dreams.
Education
Education can be a powerful tool for adults with ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, to learn to organize tasks, and to learn to talk and listen to others. It can be beneficial to teach patients how to recognize symptoms and how these affect their behavior. This can be done in individual sessions or through group therapy.
Research has demonstrated that various psychosocial interventions can dramatically reduce symptoms that cause problems and improve functioning in individuals with ADHD. These include educational interventions that can improve academic achievement and self-report of ADHD symptoms. A variety of behavioral and cognitive therapies have been shown to be effective, including hypnotherapy, neurofeedback, metacognitive training, and cognitive remediation. However none of them have been proved to be superior to control methods and the results need more research.
In the course of a study, an educational program that taught students to recognize their own inattention and impulsive behavior was found to be more effective than a waitlist control in improving self-reports of ADHD symptoms. Another study revealed that a daily behavior report card improved academic performance of children suffering from ADHD. It has been demonstrated that behavioral parenting training can be effective in reducing negative parental behaviors and promoting positive family functioning. However, the results of self-directed versus therapist-led training need further exploration.
Adolescents with ADHD are at a greater risk danger of driving accidents that result from impaired thinking, like crashes that cause injuries or even death. The intense summer "bridge" program has been shown to improve driving skills in adolescents suffering from ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions have also been discovered to be beneficial including central executive training and training for working memory.
Adults suffering from ADHD struggle to maintain stable jobs or relationships. Inability to organize their lives, inability to complete or complete tasks as well as impulsive and indifferent behavior can make co-workers and family members angry. Psychotherapy that assists patients in improving their communication skills can help manage these issues. Couples counseling teaches partners to deal with problems that arise.
Counseling
While medication is beneficial for many people suffering from ADHD however, it is not always able to reduce all symptoms. The effects of medication can be unpredictable and cause negative side effects that affect certain people in different ways. Counseling is therefore an important element of the treatment plan. Counseling can assist people in learning to better manage their emotions, build relationships, and boost self-esteem.
The effectiveness of psychosocial treatments for ADHD has been demonstrated in numerous controlled trials that were randomized. A few studies showed that when a combination of behavioral therapy and medication is employed, both the student and parent-report of academic performance improves. Studies have also shown that the use of a low dose stimulant combined with behavioral therapy improved classroom behavior as well as homework performance when compared with a comparably group.
In adhd treatment for adult women were taught to implement two brief homework and organization strategies for students suffering from ADHD. The two interventions were then compared with the initial course, which contained a low dose medication. The results suggest that a sequential multi-assignment randomized study could be an effective method to bridge the gap between research findings and actual practices in school-based programs for ADHD.
Before attempting to take medication it is recommended that schools implement ADHD intervention, which includes behavior training and education for parents. A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions should be the primary option for treatment for adolescents and adults. For adults and adolescents, the first medication should be stimulants (methylphenidate dexamphetamine, dexamphetamine or lisdexam) as long as they are able to take these drugs due to health issues. In these cases the use of atomoxetine or guanfacine could be considered.
A thorough medical examination must be performed to rule out any other conditions that could affect learning and functioning, including neurological disorders (such as Tourette's syndrome, epilepsy or cerebral palsy) and nutrition-related issues as well as substance use disorder (SUD), chronic illnesses like asthma, and comorbid psychological disorders. If the exam and history are not significant, a diagnosis of ADHD is made by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist based on established diagnostic criteria.