Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can impact a person's work, family life and relationships. Standard treatments involve medication, training in skills and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine, also known as Strattera is the only FDA approved non-stimulant medication that is approved to treat adult ADHD. It is safe and effective, based on research. Psychosocial interventions that target the comorbidities and organizational skills have a solid evidence base particularly behavioral parent training (BPT). However, the precision of psychosocial guidelines is a challenge to attain.
Medication
Many people suffering from ADHD are able to determine that a mix of psychosocial therapy and medication is the best to manage their symptoms. Medication has been shown to be very effective in reducing symptoms of ADHD, but it can take some time for people to see results. Consult your physician if you're considering using medication to treat your ADHD symptoms. Make sure it's safe for you and that it won't interact with other medications you take.
People suffering from ADHD have trouble focusing and concentrating, regulating impulses planning and completing tasks in a timely manner. These difficulties can impact on school, work and social interactions. They can make it difficult for people to enjoy leisure activities and relax.
Medications are the most effective treatments based on scientific evidence for ADHD. They can help reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions, and they can dramatically improve the quality of life. Fortunately, medications are not addictive and have a low risk of abuse. Numerous studies have proven that those with ADHD benefit from stimulants. If you are not able to handle the adverse effects of stimulant medication can choose non-stimulants such as atomoxetine (Strattera).
The medication isn't the only answer. A thorough assessment should include a history of symptoms as well as a description of the impact of ADHD symptoms on a person's everyday functioning. It is crucial to determine if the individual suffers from any co-morbid disorders like anxiety or depression which could impact the effectiveness of medication and treatment.
A medical examination does typically not reveal any indications of the condition. Instead, a diagnosis is based on a clinical judgement, and an history of symptoms that began in childhood. A detailed interview can be beneficial when paired with other information, such as school records or health assessments.
Different psychosocial treatments for ADHD are available, including cognitive remediation, metacognition and working memory training. These psychosocial treatments don't appear to be as effective as pharmacotherapy, and are unlikely have the same level effectiveness. adhd treatment for adult women are not always followed and patients are advised to start with a small dose of medication that can be easily coupled with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people suffering from ADHD discover that psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help to improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that talking therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or Relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. Talk therapy is a kind of psychosocial treatment that consists of one-on-one sessions between a professional counselor or therapist. Different modalities of talk therapy are available and the choice of therapy should be based on your specific needs and goals.
A common method of treating adult ADHD is to employ the combination of medication and psychotherapy. Studies have proven that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than either approach alone. The National Institute of Mental Health also recommends this approach.
Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you deal with ADHD symptoms and manage the symptoms. It can provide strategies to deal with difficulties in your work, relationships, and school life. Depending on your goals and needs your therapist might suggest that you participate in individual or family therapy.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of psychotherapy which can help adults suffering from ADHD to boost their self-esteem as well as functioning. CBT works by teaching you how to recognize and change negative thoughts that can influence your behavior and emotions. CBT for instance, can teach you how to alter your "all-or-nothing" thinking that makes people with ADHD to believe that they must do everything perfect or not at all.
In an appointment the therapist will listen to your and ask questions to understand your thoughts and emotions. The therapist will then give you suggestions based on their knowledge and experience. You might also be provided with homework, such as journaling or attempting a new activity. You should do your homework because it will help you put what you have learned into practice.
It's important to remember that seeking treatment does not mean that you're weak. In fact, it's an empowering step toward living the life you deserve. You can reach your goals and dreams with the help of psychotherapy.
Education
Education can be a powerful tool to help adults with ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, learn to organize tasks, and also to learn to listen and speak to others. Therapy that focuses on teaching the patient to recognize their symptoms and how they affect their behavior can be helpful. This can be accomplished in a group or individual therapy.
Research has proven that many psychosocial interventions can dramatically reduce symptoms that cause problems and improve functioning in individuals with ADHD. These include educational programs, which can enhance academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Many cognitive and behavioral therapies have been proven to be effective. These include hypnotherapy and neurofeedback. However, not all of them have been proved to be superior to controls and the results need more research.
In an investigation, it was found that a program of education that taught students how to identify their own impulsive or inattentive behavior was more effective than relying on a list to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. Another study revealed that a daily behavioral report card improved academic performance of children suffering from ADHD. It has been demonstrated that training for parents to be a behavioral one is effective in reducing negative parental behavior and enhancing positive family function. However, the effects of self-directed versus therapist-led training are still being explored.
Adolescents who suffer from ADHD are at high risk for impaired driving outcomes, including crashes that cause injury or death. Intensive summer "bridge" programs have been proven to enhance driving skills among adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions that have been discovered to be beneficial include central executive training and working memory training.
Adults with ADHD typically have trouble keeping an enduring job or relationship. Inability to complete tasks or keep on track in a timely manner, lack of organizational skills and uncontrollable or inattentive behavior can make it difficult for co-workers, colleagues and family members. Psychotherapy that teaches patients to improve their communication skills can help them overcome these difficulties. The same can be said for couples counseling that 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 it does not always eliminate all symptoms. The side effects of medications can be unpredictable, and they can affect certain people in different ways. Counseling is therefore an essential element of the treatment plan. Counseling can help patients discover better ways to manage their emotions, improve relationships and self-esteem, as well as learn strategies to cope with the unique challenges of living with ADHD.
The effectiveness of psychosocial therapies for ADHD has been demonstrated in multiple randomized controlled trials. Some studies found that when the combination of behavioral therapy and medication is used, both student and parent-report of academic performance improves. Additionally, studies have demonstrated that using an extremely low dose of stimulant medication with behavioral therapy improves both academic performance and classroom behavior compared to a control group.
In a recent study, high school counselors were trained to implement two brief homework and organizational interventions for students with ADHD. These interventions were compared with an initial course low dose medication. The results indicate that a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial may be an effective method to bridge the gap between research and practice in school-based intervention for ADHD.
Before attempting to take medication it is recommended that schools implement ADHD intervention that includes behavior management and parent education. A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions should be the primary option for treatment for adolescents and adults. For adults and adolescents 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 issues. In such cases the use of atomoxetine or guanfacine could be considered.
A thorough medical exam should be conducted to rule out other disorders that could affect learning and functioning, such as neurological disorders (such as Tourette's syndrome, epilepsy or cerebral palsy) and nutrition-related issues as well as substance use disorder (SUD) chronic illnesses like asthma, and comorbid psychological disorders. If the examination and history are not remarkable the psychiatrist or psychologist may be able to diagnose ADHD using established diagnostic criteria if they find nothing unusual.