Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can affect someone's work, home life and relationships. Standard treatments involve medications, training for skills and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved non-stimulant medication for adults with ADHD. It is safe and effective, as per research. Psychosocial interventions that target the comorbidities and organizational skills have a solid evidence base including the behavioral parent training (BPT). It is difficult to provide precise psychosocial guidelines.
Medication
Many people suffering from ADHD are able to determine that a mix of psychosocial therapy and medication is the best for managing their symptoms. Medication has been shown to be extremely effective in improving symptoms of ADHD but it can take some time for someone to see the results. 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 you take.
People suffering from ADHD may have trouble focus and concentration, regulating impulses and planning tasks in time. These difficulties can affect the school, work and social interactions. They can 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 need for psychosocial interventions and improve a person’s quality of living. Fortunately, medication does not cause addiction and have a low chance of being misused. Several studies have shown that people with ADHD benefit from using stimulants. People who are unable to tolerate the side effects of stimulant medications can choose non-stimulants such as atomoxetine (Strattera).
The medication isn't the only solution. A thorough evaluation will include a thorough description of ADHD symptoms and the impact they have on everyday functioning. It is crucial to determine if the patient suffers from any co-morbid disorders like anxiety or depression which could impact the effectiveness of medication and treatment.
A medical examination will generally not reveal any symptoms of the disorder. The diagnosis is based on clinical judgment, and an history of symptoms that started in the early years of childhood. A detailed interview can be beneficial when paired with other information, like school records or health assessments.
There are many psychosocial treatments available for ADHD, including metacognition and cognitive rehabilitation. However, none of these appear to be superior to pharmacotherapy, and are unlikely to be as effective of effectiveness as a well-dosed medication. Complex regimens are not always followed, and patients are advised to begin with a lower dose of medication that can be easily mixed with the use of behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people suffering from ADHD find that talking 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 adult adhd diagnostic assessment and treatment is a type of psychosocial treatment that consists of one-on-one sessions with a trained counselor or therapist. Different kinds of therapy are available, and your choice of therapist should be based on your needs and goals.
Combining psychotherapy and medication is a popular method to treat adult ADHD. Studies have proven that combining medication and psychotherapy is more effective than any approach alone. This method is also recommended by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Talk therapy, or psychotherapy, can aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms and help you develop coping skills. It can also teach you strategies to cope with issues in your work, relationships and school. Based on your needs and goals your therapist might suggest that you attend individual or group therapy.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a kind of psychotherapy that helps people suffering from ADHD improve their self-esteem and functioning. CBT is a method of teaching you how to recognize and alter negative thoughts, which can influence your mood and behavior. For instance, CBT can teach you to change "all or nothing" thinking which can lead people with ADHD to believe that they must perform everything perfectly or not at all.
During an appointment your therapist will listen to you and ask questions to help you understand your thoughts and emotions. The therapist will then offer you suggestions based on their research and experience. They might also provide you with homework assignments, such as journaling or trying something new. It is important to complete the homework as it will allow you to practice what you've learned.
It is important to remember that seeking treatment does not necessarily mean you're weak. In fact, it's an empowering step toward living the life you deserve. You can reach your goals and dreams by utilizing psychotherapy.
Education
Education can be an effective instrument to assist adults with ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, to learn how to organize tasks, and to learn to talk and listen to others. Therapy that focuses on teaching the patient to be aware of their symptoms and how they impact their behavior can be helpful. This can be done in private sessions or through group therapy.
Research has shown that a variety of psychosocial interventions can reduce problematic symptoms in ADHD individuals and improve their functioning. Educational interventions can improve academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Various cognitive and behavior treatments have been proven to be effective, including hypnotherapy, neurofeedback, metacognitive training, and cognitive remediation. However none of these have been proven to be superior to control methods and the results need further testing.
In one study, an educational program that taught students to recognize their own impulsive and inattentive behavior was discovered to be more effective than a waitlist control for improving self-report of ADHD symptoms. A daily behavior report card was found to boost academic performance of children suffering from ADHD in another study. Training for parents to be more observant has been proven effective in decreasing negative parenting behaviors and enhancing positive family functioning, but the impact of self-directed parenting versus therapist-led parental training needs further investigation.
Adolescents who have ADHD are at a higher chance of having impaired driving outcomes like crashes that cause injury or death. The intensive summer "bridge" program has been proven to improve driving skills 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 have difficulty maintaining stable relationships or jobs. Inability to finish tasks or follow through poor organizational skills, impulsive or inattentive behaviors can cause stress for co-workers, colleagues and family members. Psychotherapy that helps patients improve their communication skills can help them overcome these issues. Couples counseling teaches partners to manage issues that arise.
Counseling
While medication is effective for a large number of people with ADHD but it is not always sufficient to treat all symptoms. The adverse effects of medications are not always predictable, and they can affect certain individuals in a different way. For this reason, counseling is an important component of the overall treatment plan. Counseling can be used to aid people in learning how to better manage their emotions, establish relationships, and boost self-esteem.
Multiple studies that have been randomized controlled have proven the effectiveness of psychosocial treatment for ADHD. Some studies found that when the combination of therapy and medication is employed, both the parents and students' ratings of academic performance improves. Studies have also shown that the use of a low dose stimulant coupled with behavioral therapy can improve both classroom behavior as well as homework performance when compared to a comparison group.
In a recent study high school counselors were taught to implement two short homework and organization strategies for students with ADHD. The interventions were compared with an initial course of low dose medication. The results suggest that a sequential multiple-assignment randomized trial could be an effective method of bridging the gap between research findings and actual practice in school-based interventions for ADHD.
It is recommended that schools implement ADHD interventions that include behavior management and education for parents prior to trying medication. For adolescents and adults the initial treatment should consist of a combination of pharmacotherapy with psychosocial interventions. The first treatment for adults and adolescents must be stimulants such as dexamphetamine or methylphenidate, unless any other health issues prevent them from taking these medications. In such cases either atomoxetine, or guanfacine may be considered.
A thorough medical examination must be conducted to rule out other disorders that could affect functioning and learning, including neurological disorders (such as epilepsy, Tourette's syndrome or cerebral palsy), nutrition problems as well as substance use disorder (SUD) chronic illnesses like asthma and comorbid psychological disorders. If the examination and history are not significant the diagnosis of ADHD is made by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist based on established diagnostic criteria.