Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD affects people in ways that affect their work, home and relationships. Treatment options include medication, skill training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved, non-stimulant medication for adults with ADHD. It is safe and effective, according to research. Psychosocial interventions that focus on the comorbidities and organizational skills have a strong evidence base, notably behavioral parent training (BPT). It is difficult to give precise psychosocial guidelines.
Medication
Many people suffering from ADHD discover that a combination of psychosocial therapy and medication is the best to manage their symptoms. It may take some time for a person to notice any improvements in their ADHD symptoms. If you're thinking of taking medication to improve your ADHD symptoms, speak to your doctor to confirm that it is safe for you and won't interfere with any other medication you're taking.
People with ADHD might have difficulty focus and concentration, regulating impulses as well as planning and completing tasks in time. These difficulties can affect the 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 treatment based on research-based evidence for ADHD. They can help reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions and can significantly enhance a person's quality of life. Fortunately, they don't cause addiction and carry an extremely low risk of abuse. Several studies have shown that people suffering from ADHD benefit from using stimulants. Non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine, or Strattera are available to those who cannot tolerate stimulant side effects.
The medication isn't the only option. A thorough assessment will include a thorough description of ADHD symptoms and the impact they have on everyday functioning. It should also be able to identify if the person has any other comorbidities such as depression and anxiety, which could affect the response to therapy and medications.
A medical examination is not required to reveal any signs of the disorder, and a diagnosis is based upon clinical judgment, with a clear evidence of symptoms starting from childhood onwards. In addition to a detailed interview, additional information like school records and health assessments can aid in diagnosing the condition.
Different psychosocial treatments for ADHD are available such as metacognition, cognitive remediation and working memory training. However, these do not seem to be more effective than psychotherapy, and aren't likely to achieve the same level of effectiveness as a well-dosed medication. The more complex regimens are usually not followed and patients are advised to start with a small dose of medication that can be easily coupled with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD find that psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, helps to improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that certain types of talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can to reduce symptoms of ADHD. Talk therapy is a type of psychosocial treatment that involves one-on-one sessions with a trained counselor or therapist. There are various types of therapy that can be used, and the therapist you select should be based on your goals and needs.
A common approach to treating adult ADHD is to employ a combination of medications and psychotherapy. Studies have demonstrated that combining medication and psychotherapy is more effective than either one by itself. The National Institute of Mental Health also recommends this method.
Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you to manage ADHD symptoms and manage the symptoms. It can teach you how to handle problems in your school, work and personal life. Depending on your goals and needs your therapist might suggest that you participate in individual or family therapy.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that helps adults suffering from ADHD to improve their self-esteem and functioning. CBT will help you recognize negative thoughts and alter them, which may affect your mood and behavior. CBT, for example can help you learn to change "all-or-nothing" thinking that makes people with ADHD to believe that they must do everything perfect or else not do anything at all.
During an appointment the therapist will listen to your and ask questions to understand your thoughts and emotions. The therapist will then offer you advice based upon their experience and research. You might also be provided with homework, such as journaling or trying a new activity. It is important to complete homework because it will allow you to practice what you've learned.
It's important to keep in mind that seeking treatment is not an indication of weakness. In fact, it's a courageous step toward living the life you deserve. With the structure, support, and skills gained through psychotherapy, you can attain your most important goals and dreams.
Education
Education can be a beneficial method for adults suffering from ADHD. Education may include classes that teach organization skills, how to prepare for work, and ways to improve the way one speaks and listens to others. Therapy that focuses on helping the patient to identify their symptoms and how they affect their behavior can be helpful. This can be accomplished through private sessions or through group therapy.
Research has shown that a variety of psychosocial treatments can reduce problematic symptoms in ADHD individuals and improve their performance. Educational interventions can help improve academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Different behavioral and cognitive therapies have been shown to be effective, including hypnotherapy, neurofeedback, metacognitive learning, and cognitive remediation. However, not all of them have been proven superior to the controls. Further studies are needed to verify the results.
In the course of a study it was discovered that a school program that taught students how to identify their own inattention or impulsive behavior was more effective than waiting on lists to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. Another study showed that a daily behavioral report card helped improve academic performance for children with ADHD. The training of parents on behavior has been proven effective in reducing negative parenting behaviors and increasing positive family functioning, but the effect of self-directed versus therapist-led parental training needs further exploration.
Adolescents with ADHD are at a high risk of impaired driving outcomes like crashes that result in injury or death. The intense summer "bridge" program has been shown to improve driving abilities 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 struggle to maintain stable jobs or relationships. Inability to finish tasks or complete them in a timely manner, lack of organizational skills and impulsive or inattentive behaviors can strain the patience of colleagues, coworkers and family members. Psychotherapy that assists patients in improving their communication skills can help manage these issues. Couples counseling helps partners deal with problems that arise.
Counseling
Although medication is effective for a large number of people with ADHD but it is not always sufficient to reduce the symptoms in all cases. Medicines can be unpredictably effective and can cause negative side effects that affect certain people in various ways. Counseling is therefore a crucial element of the treatment plan. Counseling can be used to assist people in learning to manage their emotions, build relationships, and increase self-esteem.
Numerous randomized controlled studies have proven the efficacy of psychosocial therapy for ADHD. Some studies found that when the combination of medication and behavioral therapy is used, both student and parent-report of academic functioning improves. Additionally, studies have demonstrated that using a low dose of stimulant medication with behavioral therapy improves both the behavior of students in class and their homework performance in comparison to a control.
In a recent research study, high school counselors were taught to implement two brief homework and organization interventions for students suffering from ADHD. These interventions were compared to an initial course of low dose medication. adhd treatment for older adults suggest that a continuous, multi-assignment randomized study could be an effective method to bridge the gap between research findings and practice in school-based interventions for ADHD.
Before attempting to take medication for ADHD, it is recommended that schools implement ADHD intervention which includes behavior education and parent education. For adolescents and adults the first course of treatment should consist of psychosocial interventions and pharmacotherapy. For adults and adolescents, the first medication should be stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamphetamine or lisdexamfetamine), unless they cannot take such drugs due to health conditions. In these cases either atomoxetine, or guanfacine may be considered.
A thorough medical examination must be performed to rule out other disorders that can interfere with learning and functioning, such as neurological disorders (such as epilepsy, Tourette's Syndrome, or cerebral palsy), nutrition problems, substance use disorder (SUD), chronic illnesses such as 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.