Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD affects people in ways that affect their work, home life and relationships. The most common treatments are medication, skill-training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine, also known as Strattera, is the only FDA approved non-stimulant medication that is approved to treat adult ADHD. Research shows that it is safe and has low abuse potential. Psychosocial interventions to improve organizational skills and comorbid disorders have a strong evidence base and are particularly effective in training parents to be behavioral (BPT). However, precision in psychosocial guidelines is a challenge to attain.
Medication
For many people with ADHD the combination of psychosocial treatment and medication is the best way to manage their symptoms. It can take time for a person to notice any improvements in their ADHD symptoms. If you're considering taking medication to improve your ADHD symptoms, consult your doctor to ensure that it is suitable for you and won't interfere with other medications you're taking.
People suffering from ADHD have trouble focusing and concentrating, controlling their impulses making plans and completing tasks in a timely manner. These difficulties can affect the school, work and social interactions. They can also make it difficult to take pleasure in leisure activities and take time to relax.
Medications are the most effective treatments based on scientific evidence for ADHD. The use of medications can decrease or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions and can significantly improve the quality of life. Fortunately, they don't create addiction and carry a low risk of abuse. Numerous studies have proven that people suffering from ADHD benefit from using stimulants. Non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine or Strattera, are available for those who cannot tolerate stimulant side effects.
The medication is just one part of the solution. A thorough evaluation will include a detailed description of ADHD symptoms and the impact they have on everyday functioning. It is essential to determine if the person has any co-morbid conditions such as depression or anxiety that could affect the response to medication and therapy.
A medical examination will generally not reveal any symptoms of the condition. The diagnosis is based on a clinical judgement, and a history of symptoms that began in childhood. In adhd treatment for young adults to a thorough interview, collateral information like school records and child health assessments can be useful in diagnosing the condition.
There are many psychosocial treatments available for ADHD that include cognitive remediation and metacognition. These treatments do not appear to be as effective as pharmacotherapy and are unlikely have the same level effectiveness. Complex regimens are not always adhered to, and patients are advised to begin with a small dose of medication that can be easily mixed with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD discover that talk therapy or psychotherapy can help improve their life. Certain studies suggest that talk therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or relapse prevention treatment (RPT) can reduce ADHD symptoms. Talk therapy is psychosocial treatment that involves sessions with a professional counselor or therapist. Different modalities of talk therapy exist and the choice of therapist should be based on your specific needs and goals.
A common method of treating adult ADHD is to employ the combination of medication and psychotherapy. Studies have demonstrated that combining medication and psychotherapy is more effective than each method by itself. The National Institute of Mental Health also recommends this approach.
Talk therapy, or psychotherapy, can aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms and help you develop strategies for coping. It can teach you how to handle problems in your work, school and in your relationship. Based on your needs and goals your therapist might suggest that you attend individual or family therapy.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that can assist adults with ADHD to improve their self-esteem as well as functioning. CBT will help you recognize negative thoughts and modify them, which may affect your mood and behavior. For instance, CBT can teach you to alter your "all or nothing" thinking that can cause people with ADHD to believe that they must do everything perfectly or even not at all.
In a therapy session your therapist listens to you and asks questions to better understand your thoughts and feelings. The therapist will then offer you advice based upon their knowledge and experience. They might also give you homework assignments, such as journaling or trying something new. It's crucial to complete the homework, as it will help you practice what you've learned.
It's important to remember that seeking treatment doesn't mean that you're weak. It's a courageous choice to live the life you deserve. You can achieve your goals and ambitions with the help of psychotherapy.
Education
Education can be a powerful tool for adults suffering from ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, learn to organize tasks, and to learn to talk and listen to others. 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 in group therapy.
Research has proven that various psychosocial interventions can significantly reduce the symptoms of ADHD and improve the functioning of people with ADHD. These include educational interventions that can enhance academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. A variety of behavioral and cognitive treatments have been proven to be effective. These include hypnotherapy and neurofeedback. Nevertheless, not all of them have been proven to be superior over alternatives. Further studies are needed to verify the results.
In the course of a study, a program that taught students to recognize their own impulsive and inattentive behaviors was found to be more effective than a waitlist control in improving self-report of ADHD symptoms. Another study revealed that a daily behavior report card improved academic performance for children with ADHD. It has been proven that training for parents to be a behavioral one can be effective in reducing negative parental behaviors and increasing positive family function. However, the effects of therapist-led and self-directed training need further exploration.
Adolescents with ADHD are at high risk of impaired driving outcomes, such as crashes that cause injuries or even death. Intensive summer "bridge" programs have been shown to improve driving abilities in adolescents suffering from ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions that have been discovered to be beneficial include central executive training and working memory training.
Adults with ADHD are unable to maintain stable relationships or jobs. Inability to complete tasks or follow through poor organizational skills, inattention or impulsive behavior can cause stress for colleagues, coworkers and family members. Psychotherapy that helps patients improve their communication skills can help manage these difficulties. Couples counseling teaches partners to manage issues that arise.
Counseling
While medication is effective for a large number of people suffering from ADHD, it is not always enough to eliminate the symptoms in all cases. Medications can be unpredictable and can cause adverse effects that affect some people in different ways. Therefore, counseling is an essential part of the overall treatment plan. Counseling can help patients discover better methods to manage their emotions, improve relationships build self-esteem and develop strategies to deal with the unique challenges that come with living with ADHD.
Multiple studies that have been randomized controlled have demonstrated the effectiveness of psychosocial therapy for ADHD. In certain studies, the academic performance of both students and parents improved when a combination of medication and behavioral therapy was employed. Studies have also demonstrated that medications that are low doses of stimulant combined with behavioral therapy improved both classroom behavior as well as the performance on homework when compared to a comparison group.
In a recent research, high school counselors received training on how to implement two short homework and organizational interventions for ADHD students. The interventions were compared with an initial course of medication that was low dose. The results indicate that a sequential multi-assignment trial that is randomized could be an effective way to bridge the gap between research and practice in school-based treatment for ADHD.
Before attempting to take medication, it is recommended that schools implement ADHD intervention which includes behavior education and parent education. For adult adhd diagnostic assessment and treatment and adolescents the initial treatment should consist of a combination of psychosocial and pharmacotherapy. The first treatment for adults and adolescents should be stimulants, such methylphenidate or dexamphetamine, unless other health conditions prevent them from taking these drugs. In these cases the use of atomoxetine or guanfacine could be considered.
A thorough medical exam must be performed to rule out any other disorders that may interfere with learning and performance, for example neurological disorders (such Tourette's Syndrome, epilepsy or cerebral palsy) or nutritional issues and substance abuse disorders (SUD) chronic illnesses like asthma, and other comorbid mental disorders. If the history and examination aren't extraordinary, a psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose ADHD using established diagnostic criteria, if they find nothing unusual.