Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can affect a person's work, family life and relationships. Standard treatments involve medications, training for skills and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved non-stimulant medication for adults with ADHD. Research has proven that it is effective and has a low risk of abuse. Psychosocial interventions addressing organizational skills and comorbid disorders have a strong evidence base and are particularly effective in training parents to be behavioral (BPT). However, accuracy in psychosocial guidelines is difficult to achieve.
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 can take time before someone can see any improvements in their ADHD symptoms. Consult your physician in the event that you're considering taking medication to improve your ADHD symptoms. Be sure that the medication is safe for you, and doesn't interfere with other medications you take.
People with ADHD might have difficulty concentrating and focusing, controlling impulses as well as planning and completing tasks in time. These issues can have a negative impact on school, work and social interactions. They can make it difficult for people to take time out and 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 are not addictive and have a low risk of abuse. A number of studies have demonstrated that people suffering from ADHD benefit from stimulants. If you are not able to handle the adverse effects of stimulant medications may opt for non-stimulants like atomoxetine (Strattera).
adult adhd diagnostic assessment and treatment is not the only option. A thorough evaluation will include a detailed description of ADHD symptoms and the effects they have on daily functioning. It is crucial to determine if the person is suffering from any co-morbid conditions such as anxiety or depression that could affect the response to medication or treatment.
A medical examination does typically not reveal any indications of the condition. Instead, a diagnosis is based on clinical judgement, and an history of symptoms that began in childhood. In addition to a detailed interview, other information such as medical records from schools and child health assessments can be helpful in making a diagnosis.
Different psychosocial treatments for ADHD are available that include metacognition, cognitive remediation and working memory training. However, none of these seem to be superior to the pharmacotherapy method, and are not likely to have the same level of efficacy as a properly dosed medication. Complex regimens are often not adhered to, and patients are advised to start with a lower dose of medication that can be easily coupled with the use of behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD discover that talk therapy or psychotherapy can help them enhance their lives. Certain studies suggest that talking therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or Relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Talk therapy is a psychosocial treatment which involves individual sessions with a trained counselor or therapist. Different modalities of talk therapy exist, and your choice of the therapist you choose should be based on your specific needs and goals.
A typical approach to treating adult ADHD is to use a combination of medications and psychotherapy. Studies have shown that combining medication and psychotherapy is more effective than either approach alone. This approach is also recommended by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you to manage ADHD symptoms and manage them. It can help you learn how to manage issues at work, school, and relationship life. Based on your needs and goals your therapist might suggest that you attend individual, family, or group therapy.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that helps adults with ADHD improve their self-esteem and functioning. CBT works by teaching you how to recognize and modify negative thoughts that can affect your emotions and behaviors. For instance, CBT can teach you to alter your "all or nothing" thinking which can lead people with ADHD to believe that they must do everything perfectly or even not at all.
In a session the therapist will listen to you and ask questions to better understand your thoughts and feelings. They will then offer suggestions based on their experience and research. They might also provide you with homework assignments, such as journaling or trying something new. It is important to complete the homework, as it will help you practice what you've learned.
It's important to keep in mind that seeking treatment isn't an indication of weakness. It's a brave move to live the life you deserve. You can reach your goals and dreams by utilizing psychotherapy.
Education
Education can be a beneficial method for adults suffering from ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, learn to manage tasks and to learn how to listen and speak to others. Therapy that focuses on helping the patient to identify their symptoms and how they affect behavior could also be beneficial. This can be done in individual sessions or group therapy.
Research has proven that many psychosocial interventions can significantly reduce symptoms that cause problems and improve functioning in individuals with ADHD. These include educational programs, which can improve academic achievement and self-report of ADHD symptoms. Many behavioral and cognitive treatments have been proven to be efficient. They include hypnotherapy and neurofeedback. Nevertheless, not all of them have been proven superior to the controls. Further research is required to verify the results.
In a study it was discovered that a program of education that taught students to recognize their own impulsive or inattentive behavior was more effective than waiting on lists to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. Another study found that a daily report card enhanced academic performance in children with ADHD. Behavioral parent training has been proven to be effective in reducing negative parenting behaviors and enhancing positive family functioning, however the effects of self-directed as opposed to therapist-led training for parents requires more research.
Adolescents with ADHD are at a high chance of having impaired driving outcomes such as crashes resulting in injuries or even death. The intense summer "bridge" program has been shown to improve the driving abilities of adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions that have been proven to be effective include central executive training and working memory training.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically have trouble keeping a stable job or relationships. Inability to organize their lives as well as inability to complete or finish tasks as well as impulsive and indifferent behavior can leave coworkers and family members unhappy. Psychotherapy that helps patients improve their communication skills can help them manage these issues. Couples counseling helps partners resolve issues that arise.
Counseling
While medication is beneficial for a significant number of people suffering from ADHD but it is not always enough to eliminate all symptoms. Medications can be unpredictable and cause negative side effects that affect certain individuals in a variety of ways. Counseling is therefore a crucial part of the overall treatment. Counseling can help patients discover better ways to manage their emotions, improve their relationships, build self-esteem and learn strategies to cope with the unique challenges associated with living with ADHD.
Multiple studies that have been randomized controlled have proven the efficacy of psychosocial therapy for ADHD. In certain studies, academic performance of both students and parents improved when a combination medication and behavioral therapy was employed. Studies have also proven that a low dose stimulant medication combined with behavioral therapy improved the behavior of students in class as well as the performance on homework when compared to a control group.
In a recent research study, high school counselors were instructed to implement two short homework and organization interventions for students suffering from ADHD. The two interventions were compared to an initial course of medication that was low dose. The results suggest that a sequential multiple-assignment randomized trial could be a viable method to bridge the gap between research findings and practice in school-based interventions for ADHD.
Before attempting to take medication it is recommended that schools implement ADHD intervention, which includes behavior training and parent education. For adults and adolescents the initial treatment should be a combination of psychosocial interventions and pharmacotherapy. For adults and adolescents, the first medication should be stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamphetamine or lisdexamfetamine), unless they cannot take these drugs due to health conditions. In these situations, atomoxetine and guanfacine are options.
A thorough medical examination should be conducted to determine the presence of any other disorder that might affect learning and functioning, including neurological disorders (such Tourette's Syndrome, epilepsy, or cerebral palsy) or nutritional issues as well as substance abuse disorder (SUD) chronic diseases like asthma, and comorbid mental disorders. If the examination and history are not significant, a diagnosis of ADHD is made by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist based on established diagnostic criteria.