Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD affects people in ways that impact their work, home and relationships. Standard treatments involve medication, training in skills and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved, non-stimulant medication for adult ADHD. Research shows that it is effective and has low abuse potential. Psychosocial interventions that target the comorbidities and organizational skills have a solid scientific basis including behavioral parent training (BPT). However, precision in psychosocial guidelines is not easy to achieve.
Medication
Many people with ADHD discover that a combination of psychosocial therapy and medication is the best to treat their symptoms. It can take a while for someone to see any improvements in their ADHD symptoms. Talk to your doctor in the event that you're considering taking medication to improve your ADHD symptoms. Make sure it's suitable for you, and that it doesn't interact with other medications you take.
People with ADHD might have difficulty focus and concentration, regulating impulses, planning and completing tasks in time. These issues can impact work, school and social interactions. They can also make it difficult to take pleasure in leisure activities and take time to relax.
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. It is good to know that medications aren't addicting and carry a the lowest risk of abuse. People suffering from ADHD can benefit from stimulants, based on several studies. Non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine, or Strattera are available for those who cannot tolerate stimulant adverse effects.
The medication isn't the only option. A thorough assessment should include a history of symptoms and a discussion of the effects of ADHD symptoms on the person's daily life. It is also important to determine if the person has any comorbid conditions, such as depression and anxiety, which may impact the effectiveness of therapy and medications.
A medical examination does generally not reveal any symptoms of the condition. Instead, a diagnosis is based on clinical judgment and the history of symptoms that started in the early years of childhood. In untreated adhd in adults to a detailed interview, additional information like medical records from schools and child health assessments can aid in establishing a diagnosis.
There are a variety of psychosocial treatments available for ADHD that include metacognition and cognitive rehabilitation. However, these do not appear to be superior to the pharmacotherapy method, and are not likely to have the same level of effectiveness as a dosed medication. Patients are advised to begin with a lower dose of medication that is able to be combined with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people suffering from ADHD discover that talk therapy or psychotherapy can help improve their life. Certain studies suggest that certain types of talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can alleviate symptoms of ADHD. Talk therapy is a type of psychosocial treatment which involves one-on-one sessions with a trained counselor or therapist. There are different types of therapy that can be used, and the therapist you select should be based upon your goals and requirements.
Combining psychotherapy and medication is a common method to treat adult ADHD. Studies have demonstrated that combining medication and psychotherapy is more effective than each method alone. The National Institute of Mental Health also recommends this method.
Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you to cope with ADHD symptoms and manage these symptoms. It can teach you how to handle problems in your work, school and personal life. Depending on your goals and needs, your therapist may recommend that you participate in individual or family therapy.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of psychotherapy which can help people with ADHD to improve their self-esteem and performance. CBT teaches you how to recognize negative thoughts and alter them, which can impact your emotions and behavior. CBT for instance can help you to overcome "all-or-nothing" thinking that makes people with ADHD to believe that they must do everything perfect or else not do anything at all.
In a therapy session, your therapist listens to you and asks questions to gain a better understanding of your thoughts and feelings. They will then offer tips based on their experiences and research. You might also be assigned homework, like journaling or attempting a new activity. It's important to do the homework, as it will allow you to apply what you've learned.
It is important to remember that seeking treatment isn't a sign of weakness. It's a courageous choice to live the life you deserve. With the structure, support, and skills that you acquire through psychotherapy, you can achieve your biggest goals and ambitions.
Education
Education can be a beneficial method for adults suffering from ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, learn to organize tasks and to learn how to talk and listen to others. It can be beneficial to concentrate on teaching patients to recognize signs and how these affect their behavior. This can be done in private sessions or through group therapy.
Research has shown that a variety of psychosocial treatments can help to reduce symptoms that are problematic for ADHD individuals and improve their functioning. Educational interventions can improve academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Different behavioral and cognitive treatments have been proven to be effective, such as hypnotherapy, neurofeedback, metacognitive training, and cognitive remediation. However, not all of them have been proved to be superior to control methods and the results require further replication.
In the course of a study, a program that taught students to recognize their own impulsive and inattentive behaviors was discovered to be more effective than a waitlist control in improving self-reports of ADHD symptoms. A daily behavior report card was found to improve academic performance for children with ADHD in a separate study. It has been established that behavioral parent training is effective in decreasing negative parental behaviors and increasing positive family function. However, the results of therapist-led versus self-directed training are still being explored.
Adolescents suffering from ADHD are at high risk for impaired driving, such as crashes that cause injury or death. The intense summer "bridge" program has been proven to enhance 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 often have trouble maintaining a stable job or relationships. Inability to organize their lives, inability to complete or follow through on tasks and inattention and impulsive behavior can leave coworkers and family members frustrated. Psychotherapy that teaches patients to improve communication skills can help them manage these difficulties. This is also true for couples counseling, which assists partners in dealing with each other's issues when they arise.
Counseling
While medications can be beneficial for a lot of people with ADHD however, it is not always able to eliminate the symptoms in all cases. The side effects of medications are not always predictable, and they can affect some people differently. Counseling is therefore an important component of the overall treatment. Counseling can aid people in learning how to manage their emotions, develop relationships, and improve self-esteem.
Multiple randomized controlled studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of psychosocial therapy for ADHD. In some studies, the academic performance of both the parents and students improved when a combination medication and behavioral therapy was employed. Studies have also shown that the use of a low dose stimulant coupled with behavioral therapy can improve the behavior of students in class as well as the performance on homework when compared with a comparably group.
In a recent research study, high school counselors were trained to implement two short homework and organization strategies for students suffering from ADHD. These interventions were compared to an initial course of low dose medication. The results suggest that a sequential multi-assignment trial that is randomized could be a feasible way to bridge the gap between research and practice in school-based treatment for ADHD.
It is recommended that schools implement ADHD interventions that include behavior education and parental education, before trying medications. A combination of psychosocial and pharmacotherapy interventions should be the first line of treatment for adults and adolescents. For adolescents and adults the first treatment should be stimulants (methylphenidate dexamphetamine, dexamphetamine or lisdexam) as long as they are able to take these medications due to other health conditions. In these situations there are two options: atomoxetine or guanfacine. alternatives.
A thorough medical exam should be conducted to determine if there are any other conditions that could affect learning and performance, for example 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 not revealing, a diagnosis of ADHD can be made by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist based on established diagnostic criteria.