Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD affects people in ways that affect their work, home life and relationships. The most common treatments include medication, skills training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved, non-stimulant medication for adult ADHD. It is safe and effective, based on research. Psychosocial interventions that address the comorbidities and organizational skills have a solid evidence base, notably the behavioral parent training (BPT). It is difficult to provide precise psychosocial guidelines.
Medication
For many people suffering from ADHD it is believed that a combination of psychosocial treatment and medication is the best approach to manage their symptoms. It may take some time before someone can see any improvement in their ADHD symptoms. Consult your physician if you're considering using medication to treat your ADHD symptoms. Make sure it's suitable for you, and that it won't interact with other medications you are taking.
People with ADHD might have difficulty concentrating and focusing, controlling impulses, planning and completing tasks on time. These issues can affect work, school, and social relationships. These difficulties can also make it difficult to relax and enjoy leisure activities.
The most effective treatment for ADHD is medication. The use of medications can decrease or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions and they can dramatically improve a person's quality of life. Fortunately, medication does not create addiction and carry a low chance of being misused. Several studies have shown that people with ADHD benefit from the use of stimulants. Non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine or Strattera are available for those who cannot tolerate stimulant side effects.
Medication is only part of the answer. A thorough evaluation will include a thorough description of ADHD symptoms and the impact they have on daily functioning. It is also important to determine if the person has any other conditions that are comorbid like depression or anxiety, that could affect the effectiveness of therapy and medications.
A medical examination will not usually reveal any signs of the condition. Instead, a diagnosis is based on a clinical judgement, and an history of symptoms that began in childhood. In addition to a detailed interview, other information such as school records and health assessments can aid in making a diagnosis.
There are a variety of psychosocial treatments available for ADHD such as metacognition and cognitive remediation. However, these do not seem to be superior to the pharmacotherapy method, and are not likely to achieve the same level of effectiveness as a dosed medication. Complex regimens are not always adhered to and patients are advised to begin with a small dose of medication that can be easily combined with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people suffering from ADHD find that psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help them improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that talking therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or relapse prevention treatment (RPT) can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Talk therapy is a type of psychosocial treatment that consists of one-on-one sessions with a professional counselor or therapist. Different kinds of talk therapy are available, and your choice of therapist should be based on your specific needs and goals.
A typical approach to treating adult ADHD is to use a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Studies have demonstrated that combining medication and psychotherapy is more effective than one on its own. This method is also recommended by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Talk therapy, or psychotherapy can help you manage your ADHD symptoms and develop strategies for coping. It can provide strategies to deal with problems in your relationships, work, and school life. Your therapist may suggest that you attend individual, group or family therapy based on your needs and goals.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that can assist people with ADHD improve their functioning and self-esteem. CBT teaches you how to identify negative thoughts and change them, which can impact your emotions and behavior. For instance, CBT can teach you to alter your "all or nothing" thinking, which can cause people with ADHD to believe that they must do everything flawlessly or not at all.
In the course of a session the counselor will listen to you and ask questions to help you understand your thoughts and emotions. The therapist will then offer advice based on their research and experience. untreated adhd in adults might also provide you with homework assignments, such as journaling or trying something new. You must complete your homework since it will aid you in putting what you have learned into practice.
It is important to keep in mind that seeking treatment doesn't necessarily mean you're weak. It's a brave move to live the life you've always wanted. With the structure and support, as well as the skills that you build through psychotherapy, it is possible to attain your most important goals and dreams.
Education
Education can be a powerful method for adults suffering from ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, to learn to manage tasks and to learn how to listen and speak to other people. untreated adhd in adults can be helpful to focus on teaching patients how to recognize symptoms and how they impact their behavior. This can be accomplished through individual sessions or through group therapy.
Research has demonstrated that a variety of psychosocial treatments can help to reduce symptoms that are problematic for ADHD individuals and improve their performance. Educational interventions can improve academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Various cognitive and behavior therapies have been shown to be efficient, including hypnotherapy neurofeedback, metacognitive training, and cognitive remediation. Nevertheless they are not all have been proven superior to controls. Further replication is needed to verify the results.
In the course of a study, it was found 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. A daily report card for behavior was found to improve academic performance in children with ADHD in a separate study. Behavioral parent training has been proven to be effective in decreasing negative parenting behaviors and increasing positive family functioning, but the effects of self-directed as opposed to therapist-led training for parents requires more research.
Adolescents with ADHD are at a high risk of having impaired driving outcomes, including accidents that cause injury or death. The intensive summer "bridge" programs have been proven 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 are unable to maintain stable relationships or jobs. Inability to finish tasks or keep on track in a timely manner, lack of organizational skills and uncontrollable or inattentive behavior can make it difficult for colleagues, coworkers and family members. Psychotherapy that teaches patients how to improve communication skills can help them deal with these difficulties. Couples counseling helps partners deal with problems that arise.
Counseling
Although medications are beneficial for a significant number of people suffering from ADHD however, it isn't always sufficient to reduce all symptoms. The effects of medication can be unpredictable and can cause side effects that impact some individuals in a variety of ways. Counseling is therefore an essential element of the treatment plan. Counseling can aid people in learning how to manage their emotions, build relationships, and increase self-esteem.
The effectiveness of psychosocial treatments for ADHD has been proven in multiple randomized controlled trials. Some studies found that when a combination of therapy and medication is used, both parents and students' ratings of academic performance improves. Studies have also proven that a low dose stimulant medication combined with a behavioral therapy program improved classroom behavior as well as the performance on homework when compared to a comparison group.
In a recent research, high school counselors were trained on how to implement two short homework and organization interventions with ADHD students. The interventions were compared to an initial course of low dose medication. The results indicate that a sequential multi-assignment randomized trial may be a viable 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 taking medication. For adolescents and adults, the first treatment should be a combination of pharmacotherapy with psychosocial interventions. For adolescents and adults the first treatment should be stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamphetamine or lisdexamfetamine) as long as they are able to take these drugs due to health conditions. In these cases the two options are atomoxetine and Guanfacine. options.
A thorough medical exam should be conducted to determine the presence of any other disorder that may interfere with learning and functioning, such as neurological disorders (such epilepsy, Tourette's syndrome or cerebral palsy), nutritional problems and substance abuse disorders (SUD) chronic illnesses like asthma, and comorbid mental disorders. If the history and examination are not remarkable, a psychiatrist or psychologist may be able to diagnose ADHD using established diagnostic criteria if they find no unusual findings.