Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD affects people in ways that impact their work, home life and relationships. Treatments typically include medication, skills 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. Research has proven that it is safe and has low abuse potential. Psychosocial interventions that target the comorbidities and organizational skills have a strong evidence base including behavioral parent training (BPT). It is difficult to give precise psychosocial guidelines.
Medication
For many people suffering from ADHD, a combination of medication and psychosocial treatment is the best method to manage their symptoms. It can take a while for someone to see any improvement in their ADHD symptoms. If you are considering taking medication to improve your ADHD symptoms, speak to your doctor to confirm that it is suitable for you and does not interfere with other medications you are taking.
People suffering from ADHD have difficulty with focusing and concentrating, regulating impulses planning and accomplishing tasks on time. These difficulties can affect the school, work and social relationships. They can make it difficult for people to take time out and take time to relax.
The most effective treatment for ADHD is medication. The use of medications can reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions, and improve a person’s quality of living. Fortunately, medications do not cause addiction and have a low risk of abuse. People with ADHD can benefit from stimulants, as per various studies. Non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine, or Strattera are available for those who are unable to tolerate stimulant side effects.
Treatment isn't the only solution. A thorough assessment should include a detailed history of symptoms and a discussion of the effects of ADHD symptoms on a person's everyday functioning. It is important to determine if the patient suffers from any co-morbid disorders like anxiety or depression which could impact the effectiveness of medication and therapy.
A medical examination does typically not reveal any indications of the condition. Instead, a diagnosis is based upon clinical judgment, and the history of symptoms that began in the early years of childhood. A thorough interview may be useful in conjunction with additional information, such as school records or child health assessments.
There are a variety of psychosocial treatments available for ADHD, including metacognition and cognitive rehabilitation. However, these do not appear to be more effective than pharmacotherapy, and are unlikely to have the same level of efficacy as a properly dosed medication. Patients are advised to begin 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, helps to improve their lives. Some studies suggest that certain types of therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can help reduce symptoms of ADHD. Talk therapy is a form of psychosocial treatment that involves sessions with a trained counselor or therapist. There are many kinds of therapy that can be used, and the therapist you choose will depend on your goals and requirements.
A typical approach to treating adult ADHD is using the combination of medication and psychotherapy. Studies have shown that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than either method by itself. The National Institute of Mental Health also recommends this method.
Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you learn to deal with ADHD symptoms and manage the symptoms. It can teach you strategies to cope with issues in your work, relationships, and school life. Your therapist may suggest you attend individual, group or family therapy, based on your goals and requirements.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a kind of psychotherapy that can assist adults with ADHD improve their functioning and self-esteem. CBT teaches you how to recognize negative thoughts and modify them, which can affect your behavior and emotions. For example, CBT can teach you to alter your "all or nothing" thinking which can lead people with ADHD to believe that they must perform everything perfectly or not at all.
During a session, your therapist will listen to your and ask questions to better understand your thoughts and emotions. They will then give you tips based on their experiences and research. They might also provide you with homework assignments, such as journaling or trying something new. You should do your homework as it will help you put what you have learned into practice.
It is important to keep in mind that seeking treatment does not mean you are weak. In fact, it's a courageous step toward living the life you deserve. With the structure and support, as well as the skills that you acquire 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. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, to learn to organize tasks, and also to learn to communicate with other people. Therapy that focuses on helping the patient to recognize their symptoms and how they impact their behavior can also be helpful. This can be accomplished in a group or individual therapy.
Research has shown that a variety psychosocial interventions can reduce problematic symptoms in ADHD individuals and improve their functioning. These include educational interventions, which can boost academic performance and self-report of ADHD symptoms. Different behavioral and cognitive treatments have been proven to be effective, such as hypnotherapy, neurofeedback, metacognitive learning, and cognitive remediation. However none of them have been proved to be superior to controls and the results need further replication.
In the course of a study, a program that taught students to recognize their own inattention and impulsive behavior was found to be more effective than a waitlist control program in improving self-report of ADHD symptoms. A daily report card on behavior was found to boost academic performance for children with ADHD in a different study. The training of parents on behavior has been shown to be effective in reducing negative parenting behaviors and increasing positive family functioning, however the impact of self-directed parenting as opposed to therapist-led training for parents requires more research.
Adolescents suffering from ADHD are at a high risk of impaired driving outcomes, such as crashes that result in injuries or even death. The intensive summer "bridge" program has been proven to enhance driving skills in adolescents suffering from ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions have been discovered to be beneficial, including central executive training and training for working memory.
Adults suffering from ADHD struggle to maintain stable jobs or relationships. Inability to finish tasks or follow through in a timely manner, lack of organizational skills and impulsive or inattentive behaviors can strain the patience of co-workers, colleagues and family members. Psychotherapy that assists patients in improving their communication skills can help them manage these issues. Couples counseling helps partners resolve issues that arise.
Counseling
Although medication is effective for a lot of people suffering from ADHD however, it isn't always sufficient to treat the symptoms in all cases. The side effects of medications are not always predictable, and they can affect some people differently. online adhd treatment for adults is therefore an essential element of the treatment plan. Counseling can help patients discover better methods to manage their emotions, improve their relationships and self-esteem, as well as learn strategies to deal with the unique challenges that come with living with ADHD.
Numerous randomized controlled studies have proven the efficacy of psychosocial treatment for ADHD. In certain studies, the academic performance of both the parents and students improved when a combination of medication and behavioral therapy was employed. Additionally, studies have shown that the use of an extremely low dose of stimulant medications in conjunction with behavioral therapy can improve academic performance and classroom behavior compared to a control group.
In a recent study, high school counselors received training on how to implement two short homework and organization programs for ADHD students. The interventions were compared to an initial course low dose medication. The results suggest that a sequential, multiple assignment randomized trial may be an effective way to bridge the gap between research and practice in school-based intervention for ADHD.
It is recommended that schools implement ADHD interventions that include behavior education and education for parents, prior to trying medications. For adolescents and adults the first course of treatment should be a combination of psychosocial and pharmacotherapy. The first medication for adults and adolescents must be stimulants, such as dexamphetamine or methylphenidate, except that other health conditions prevent them from taking these drugs. In such cases the use of atomoxetine or guanfacine could be considered.
A thorough medical exam must be conducted to determine if there are any other conditions that could affect learning and functioning, including neurological disorders (such epilepsy, Tourette's Syndrome, or cerebral palsy) as well as nutritional issues, substance abuse disorder (SUD), chronic diseases such as asthma, and comorbid mental disorders. If the exam and history are unremarkable and the diagnosis is not clear, ADHD can be determined by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist using established diagnostic criteria.