Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD affects people in ways that affect their home, work and relationships. Treatment options include medications, skill training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine, also known as Strattera is the only FDA approved non-stimulant medication to treat adult ADHD. Research shows that it is safe and has a low risk of abuse. Psychosocial interventions that target the comorbidities and organizational skills have a strong evidence base, notably BPT, which is a form of behavioral parent education (BPT). However, accuracy in psychosocial guidelines is not easy to achieve.
Medication
For many people with ADHD, a combination of medication and psychosocial treatment is the best approach to manage their symptoms. Medication has been shown to be very effective in improving symptoms of ADHD, but it can take a few months for a person to see the results. If you're thinking of taking medication to help improve your ADHD symptoms, consult your doctor to confirm that it is suitable for you and will not interfere with other medications you're taking.
People with ADHD struggle with staying focused and concentrating, controlling their impulses, making plans and accomplishing tasks on time. These issues can have a negative impact on work, school and social interactions. They can make it difficult to enjoy leisure activities and take time to relax.
The most effective treatment is medication. treatments based on scientific evidence for ADHD. They can reduce or eliminate the requirement for psychosocial interventions and improve the quality of life. Fortunately, medications are not addictive and have a low risk of misuse. People with ADHD may benefit from stimulants, according to numerous studies. Those who cannot tolerate the adverse effects of stimulant medications can choose non-stimulants such as atomoxetine (Strattera).
Medication is not the only solution. A thorough evaluation will include a detailed description of ADHD symptoms and the effects they have on daily functioning. It is important to determine if the individual has any co-morbid conditions like anxiety or depression that may affect the response to medication or therapy.
Medical examinations usually do not show signs of the disorder, and a diagnosis is based upon clinical judgment, with an evident history of symptoms from the time of birth to. A thorough interview may be beneficial when paired with other information, like school records or health assessments.
There are a myriad of psychosocial therapies available for ADHD that include metacognition and cognitive rehabilitation. However, these do not seem to be more effective than the pharmacotherapy method, and are not likely to achieve the same level of effectiveness as a dosed medication. Patients are advised to start with a low dose medication that can be paired with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD find that psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, helps them improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that talking therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or relapse prevention treatment (RPT) can help to 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 exist and your choice of the therapist you choose should be based on your needs and goals.
A common approach to treating adult ADHD is using the combination of medication and psychotherapy. Studies have shown that combining therapy and medication is more effective than either one by itself. This approach is also recommended by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help you manage your ADHD symptoms and develop how to cope. It can also teach you strategies for dealing with difficulties in your work, relationships, and school life. Depending on your goals and needs your therapist might suggest that you attend individual or group therapy.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of psychotherapy which can help adults with ADHD to boost their self-esteem as well as functioning. CBT helps you learn how to recognize and change negative thoughts that influence your mood and behavior. CBT, for example can help you to alter your "all-or-nothing" thinking which can make people with ADHD believe they must do everything perfectly or not at all.
During 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. You might also be provided with assignments, such as journaling or trying a new activity. You should do your homework since it will aid you in putting what you have learned into action.
It is important to remember that seeking treatment doesn't necessarily mean you're weak. It's a brave move to live the life you've always wanted. You can reach your goals and dreams by utilizing psychotherapy.
Education
Education can be an effective tool for adults suffering from ADHD. It can be used to teach organizational skills, methods to prepare for tasks, and ways to improve the way one talks and listens to others. Therapy that focuses on helping the patient to recognize their symptoms and how they impact their behavior can be helpful. This can be done in individual sessions or in group therapy.
Research has shown that a variety of psychosocial interventions can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD individuals and improve their performance. These include educational programs, which can improve academic achievement and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Many cognitive and behavioral therapies have been proven to be effective. They include hypnotherapy and neurofeedback. However, not all of them have been proved to be superior to control methods and the results need further replication.
In one study, a program that taught students to recognize their own inattention and impulsive behaviors was discovered to be more effective than waitlist control in improving self-report ADHD symptoms. Another study revealed that a daily report card enhanced academic performance for children with ADHD. It has been demonstrated that behavioral parent training is effective in decreasing negative parental behaviors and increasing positive family functioning. However, the results of therapist-led versus self-directed training are still being explored.
Adolescents who have ADHD are at a high danger of driving accidents that result from impaired thinking, like crashes that cause injury or death. Intensive summer "bridge" programs have been shown to improve driving skills in adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions proven to be effective include central executive training and working memory training.
Adults suffering from ADHD struggle to maintain stable jobs or relationships. Inability to complete tasks or keep on track poor organizational skills, inattention or impulsive behavior can cause stress for co-workers, colleagues and family members. Psychotherapy that helps patients improve their communication skills can help manage these issues. The same can be said for couples counseling that assists partners in dealing with each other's problems as they arise.
Counseling
While medications can be beneficial for a lot of people with ADHD however, it is not always able to eliminate the symptoms in all cases. The side effects of medications can be unpredictable, and they can affect some people in different ways. Counseling is therefore an essential component of the overall treatment. Counseling can help individuals find better ways to manage their emotions, improve relationships and self-esteem, as well as learn strategies to face the unique challenges associated with living with ADHD.
Multiple randomized controlled studies have proven the efficacy of psychosocial treatment for ADHD. In some studies, the academic performance of both the students and parents improved when a combination medication and behavioral therapy was employed. Additionally, studies have shown that the use of an extremely low dose of stimulant medication in combination with behavioral therapy improves the behavior of students in class and their homework performance compared to a control group.
In a recent study high school counselors received training on how to implement two brief homework and organization interventions with ADHD students. These interventions were compared with the initial course, which contained a low dose medication. The results suggest that a sequential multiple assignment trial that is randomized could be a feasible way to overcome the gap between research and practice in school-based treatment for ADHD.
It is recommended that schools implement ADHD interventions, which include behavior training and parental education, before trying medications. For treatment for inattentive adhd in adults and adolescents the first course of treatment should consist of psychosocial interventions and pharmacotherapy. The first medications for adults and adolescents must be stimulants, such dexamphetamine or methylphenidate, except that other health conditions prevent them from taking these drugs. In such cases, atomoxetine or guanfacine can be considered.
A thorough medical examination must be performed to rule out any other conditions that could affect functioning and learning, including neurological disorders (such as Tourette's syndrome, epilepsy or cerebral palsy), nutrition problems as well as substance use disorder (SUD) chronic illnesses like asthma and comorbid psychological issues. If the examination and history are not revealing the diagnosis of ADHD can be made by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist based on established diagnostic criteria.