Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD affects people in ways that impact their work, home and relationships. The most common treatments include medication, training in skills 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, as per research. Psychosocial interventions that address 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 not easy to attain.
Medication
For many people suffering from ADHD it is believed that a combination of medication and psychosocial treatment is the best way to manage their symptoms. Medication has been shown to be highly effective in reducing symptoms of ADHD, but it can take some time for a person to see results. Consult your doctor when you're thinking of using medication to treat your ADHD symptoms. Make sure it's safe for you and that it won't interact with other medications you take.
People suffering from ADHD have trouble focusing and concentrating, controlling their impulses, making plans and accomplishing tasks on time. These difficulties can impact on school, work, and social relationships. These difficulties can also make it difficult to relax and take advantage of leisure activities.
Medicines are the most effective evidence-based treatment for ADHD. Medications can reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions, and they can greatly improve a person's quality of life. Fortunately, they don't create addiction and carry a low risk of abuse. A number of studies have demonstrated that people suffering from ADHD benefit from using stimulants. Those who cannot tolerate the side effects of stimulant medications can choose non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine (Strattera).
Medication is not the answer. A thorough evaluation should include a description of symptoms and a description of the effects of ADHD symptoms on the person's daily life. It is crucial to determine if the individual is suffering from any co-morbid conditions such as anxiety or depression that could affect the effectiveness of medication and therapy.
A medical examination will typically not reveal any indications of the condition. However, a diagnosis is based upon clinical judgment and a history of symptoms that started in childhood. In addition to a detailed interview, collateral information like school records and child health assessments can aid in establishing a diagnosis.
There are a myriad of psychosocial therapies available for ADHD such as metacognition and cognitive remediation. These treatments do not seem to be as effective as pharmacotherapy and are unlikely have the same effectiveness. Complex regimens are often not adhered to, and patients are advised to start with a small dosage of medication that can be easily coupled with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD discover that talk therapy or psychotherapy can help them improve their life. Certain studies suggest that certain kinds of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can help reduce symptoms of ADHD. Talk therapy is a form of psychosocial treatment which involves individual sessions with a trained therapist or counselor. Different kinds of talk therapy are available, and your choice of therapist should be based on your specific needs and goals.
A common approach to treating adult ADHD is to employ the combination of medication and psychotherapy. Studies have proven that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than either 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 learn coping skills. It can teach you how to handle problems in your school, work and personal life. Your therapist may suggest that you attend group, individual, or family therapy depending on your goals and requirements.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a kind of psychotherapy that can assist people with ADHD improve their self-esteem and functioning. CBT teaches you how to identify negative thoughts and change them, which may affect your mood and behavior. CBT can, for instance, can teach you how to alter your "all-or-nothing" thinking that makes people with ADHD to believe that they must do everything perfect or not at all.
In a therapy session your therapy therapist listens to you and asks questions to help you understand your thoughts and feelings. They will then provide you with suggestions based on their experience and research. They might also give you homework assignments, such as journaling or trying something new. It is important to complete the homework as it will allow you to apply what you've learned.
It is important to keep in mind that seeking treatment does not 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 with the help of psychotherapy.
Education
Education can be a powerful tool for adults with ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, to learn to manage tasks, and also to learn to talk and listen to other people. It can be beneficial to teach patients how to recognize symptoms and how these affect their behavior. This can be accomplished through individual sessions or in group therapy.
Research has demonstrated that a variety of psychosocial interventions can help to reduce symptoms that are problematic for ADHD individuals and improve their functioning. Educational interventions can enhance academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Various cognitive and behavior therapies have been proven to be efficient, including hypnotherapy neurofeedback, metacognitive training, and cognitive remediation. However none of them have been proven to be superior over the controls. Further studies are needed to verify the results.
In adhd treatment for young adults was discovered that an educational program which taught students to recognize their own impulsive or inattentive behavior was more effective than waiting on an inventory to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. Another study found that a daily behavioral report card enhanced academic performance for children with ADHD. It has been proven that training for parents to be a behavioral one is effective in reducing negative parental behaviors and promoting 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, such as crashes resulting in injury or death. The intensive summer "bridge" programs have been proven to enhance driving skills in adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions that have been found to be useful include central executive training and working memory training.
Adults with ADHD typically have trouble keeping an enduring job or relationship. 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 unhappy. Psychotherapy that teaches patients how to improve communication skills can help them manage these challenges. Couples counseling can help partners resolve issues that arise.
Counseling
Although medication is effective for a lot of people suffering from ADHD however, it isn't always enough to eliminate all symptoms. Medicines can be unpredictably effective and can cause adverse effects that affect some people in different ways. Counseling is therefore a crucial part of the overall treatment. Counseling can be used to help people learn to manage their emotions, develop relationships, and improve self-esteem.
The efficacy of psychosocial treatment for ADHD has been proven through multiple randomized controlled trials. In certain studies, academic functioning of both parents and students improved when a combination medication and behavioral therapy was used. Additionally, research has found that using an extremely low dose of stimulant medications in conjunction with behavioral therapy improves both classroom behavior and homework performance when compared to a control group.
In a recent study high school counselors received instruction on how to implement two short homework and organizational interventions for ADHD students. These interventions were compared with an initial course of low dose medication. The results suggest that a continuous, multi-assignment randomized study could be a successful method of bridging the gap between research findings and actual implementation of school-based interventions for ADHD.
It is recommended that schools implement ADHD interventions that include behavior management and parental education, before taking medication. A combination of psychosocial and pharmacotherapy interventions should be the primary line of treatment for adolescents and adults. For adolescents and adults the first treatment should be stimulants (methylphenidate dexamphetamine, dexamphetamine or lisdexam) in the event that they are unable to use these drugs due to health conditions. In these cases, atomoxetine and guanfacine are alternatives.
A thorough medical examination should be conducted to rule out any other disorders that may interfere with learning and functioning, including neurological disorders (such epilepsy, Tourette's Syndrome or cerebral palsy) as well as nutritional issues and substance abuse disorders (SUD) chronic diseases like asthma, and other comorbid mental disorders. If the examination and history are unremarkable the diagnosis of ADHD can be made by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist based on established diagnostic criteria.