Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD affects people in ways that impact their work, home life and relationships. Standard treatments include medication, skill-training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine is also known as Strattera, is the only FDA approved non-stimulant medication that is approved to treat adult ADHD. It is safe and effective, according to research. Psychosocial interventions that address organizational skills and comorbid conditions have a solid evidence base including behavioral parent training (BPT). It is challenging to provide specific psychosocial guidelines.
Medication
Many people suffering from ADHD find that a combination of psychosocial therapy and medication is the best to treat their symptoms. Medication has been shown to be extremely efficient in reducing symptoms of ADHD but it can take a while for a person to see the results. If you are considering taking medication to improve your ADHD symptoms, talk to your doctor to ensure that it is safe for you and will not interfere with any other medication you are taking.
People with ADHD might have difficulty staying focused and focused, directing impulses and planning tasks on time. These difficulties can impact on work, school, and social relationships. They can also make it difficult to enjoy leisure activities and relax.
Medicines are the most effective 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, medication does not create addiction and carry a low risk of abuse. People with ADHD can benefit from stimulants, as per several studies. If you are not able to handle the adverse effects of stimulant medications can choose non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine (Strattera).
Medication is not the only solution. A thorough assessment should include a history of symptoms as well as a description of the effects of ADHD symptoms on a person's daily functioning. It is crucial to determine if the individual has any co-morbid conditions such as anxiety or depression which could impact the response to medication and treatment.
A medical examination will generally not reveal any symptoms of the condition. Instead, a diagnosis is based on a clinical judgment, and an history of symptoms that started in childhood. In untreated adhd in adults relationships to a thorough interview, additional information such as medical records from schools and child health assessments can aid in making a diagnosis.
Various psychosocial treatments for ADHD are available that include cognitive remediation, metacognition and working memory training. These psychosocial treatments don't appear to be as effective as pharmacotherapy, and are not likely to have the same level effectiveness. Patients are advised to start with a low dose medication that is able to be combined with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD discover that psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help to 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 a psychosocial therapy that involves private sessions with a trained therapist or counselor. Different kinds of therapy are available and your choice of the therapist you choose should be based on your specific needs and goals.
Combining psychotherapy and medication is a common way to treat adult ADHD. Studies have shown that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than any method by itself. This approach is also recommended by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms and help you develop coping skills. It can help you learn how to manage issues at work, school and in your relationship. Depending on your goals and needs your therapist might suggest that you participate in individual or group therapy.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps adults with ADHD improve their functioning and self-esteem. CBT helps you identify negative thoughts and change them, which can affect your mood and behavior. CBT can, for instance can help you to change "all-or-nothing" thinking that can cause people with ADHD to believe that they must do everything perfectly or not at all.
In a session the therapist will listen to your and ask questions to understand your thoughts and feelings. They will then offer tips based on their experiences and research. They may also assign you homework, such as journaling or trying something new. It is important to complete your homework because it will assist you in putting what have learned into practice.
It is important to remember that seeking treatment isn't a sign of weakness. It's a brave move to live the life you deserve. With the structure and support that you build through psychotherapy, you will be able to attain your most important goals and ambitions.
Education
Education can be a potent tool for adults suffering from ADHD. It can be used to teach organizational skills, how to prepare for tasks, and methods to improve the way one talks and listens to others. Therapy that focuses on teaching the patient to be aware of their symptoms and how they affect behavior could also be beneficial. This can be accomplished through individual sessions or in group therapy.
Research has proven that many psychosocial interventions can significantly reduce problematic symptoms and improve performance in people with ADHD. These include educational programs, which can enhance academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. A variety of behavioral and cognitive treatments have been proven to be efficient, including hypnotherapy metacognitive training, neurofeedback and cognitive remediation. However, not all of them have been proven to be superior to alternatives. Further studies are needed to confirm the results.
In the course of a study it was found that a school program that taught students to recognize their own impulsive or inattentive behavior was more effective than waiting on an inventory to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. A daily report card on behavior was found to boost academic performance in children with ADHD in a different study. It has been established that behavioral parent training is effective in reducing negative parental behaviors and increasing positive family function. However, the effects of self-directed versus therapist-led training need further exploration.
Adolescents who suffer from ADHD are at high risk for impaired driving outcomes, such as accidents that cause injuries or even death. The intense summer "bridge" program has been shown to improve driving abilities in adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions that have been discovered to be beneficial include central executive training and working memory training.
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty maintaining stability in their jobs or relationships. Inability to organize their lives and inability to finish or follow through on tasks, and impulsive and inattentive behavior can cause coworkers and family members frustrated. Psychotherapy that assists patients in improving their communication skills can help manage these difficulties. Couples counseling teaches partners to manage issues that arise.
Counseling
While medications can be effective for many people with ADHD it does not always reduce all symptoms. The adverse effects of medications can be unpredictable and they may 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 learn strategies to face the unique challenges associated with living with ADHD.
Multiple studies that have been randomized controlled have demonstrated the effectiveness of psychosocial treatment 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 proven that the use of a low dose stimulant combined with a behavioral therapy program improved the behavior of students in class as well as the performance on homework when compared with a comparably group.
In a recent study high school counselors received instruction on how to implement two brief homework and organization programs for ADHD students. The interventions were compared to an initial course of low dose medication. The results suggest that a sequential, multiple assignment randomized trial could be a feasible way to bridge the gap between research and practice in school-based interventions for ADHD.
It is recommended that schools implement ADHD interventions that include behavior education and parental education, before taking medication. For adults and adolescents, the first treatment should consist of a combination of pharmacotherapy with psychosocial interventions. For adolescents and adults the first drug to be considered should be stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamphetamine or lisdexamfetamine) as long as they are able to use these medications due to any other health conditions. 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 learning and functioning, such as neurological disorders (such as Tourette's syndrome, epilepsy or cerebral palsy) and nutrition-related issues as well as substance use disorder (SUD), chronic illnesses such as asthma and comorbid psychological issues. If the medical history and examination aren't extraordinary the psychiatrist or psychologist may be able to diagnose ADHD using established diagnostic criteria, if they find nothing unusual.