Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can affect someone's home life, work and relationships. Treatment options include medication, skill training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine is also known as Strattera is the only FDA approved non-stimulant medication that is approved to treat adult ADHD. Studies have proven that it is effective and has a low risk of abuse. Psychosocial interventions that focus on the comorbidities and organizational skills have a strong evidence base, notably BPT, which is a form of behavioral parent education (BPT). It is challenging to provide specific psychosocial guidelines.
Medication
Many people with ADHD are able to determine that a mix of psychosocial therapy and medication is the best for managing their symptoms. It can take time before someone can see any improvement in their ADHD symptoms. If you are considering taking medication to help improve your ADHD symptoms, speak to your doctor to ensure that it is suitable for you and won't interact with any other medications you're taking.
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 relationships. They can make it difficult for people to take pleasure in leisure activities and take time to relax.
Medications are the most effective treatments based on scientific evidence for ADHD. Medications can reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions and can significantly improve the quality of life. Fortunately, medications do not create addiction and carry a low chance of being misused. Numerous studies have proven that those with ADHD benefit from using stimulants. Those who cannot tolerate the side effects of stimulant medications may choose non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine (Strattera).
Medication is not the answer. A thorough evaluation should include a detailed history of symptoms and a description of the effects of ADHD symptoms on the person's daily life. It is crucial to determine if the patient has any co-morbid conditions such as depression or anxiety that could affect the response to medication and therapy.
A medical examination is not required to show signs of the disorder and a diagnosis is made on clinical judgement, with an established evidence of symptoms starting from childhood onwards. A thorough interview may be helpful when combined with additional information, such as school records or health assessments.
Many psychosocial treatments for ADHD are available such as cognitive remediation, metacognition and working memory training. These psychosocial treatments do not appear to be as effective as pharmacotherapy and are unlikely to have the same level effectiveness. The more complex regimens are usually not adhered to, and patients are advised to start with a low dose of medication that can be easily coupled with therapy for behavioral issues.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD discover that psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help to improve their lives. Some studies suggest that certain forms of talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can help alleviate symptoms of ADHD. Talk therapy is a form of psychosocial treatment which involves individual sessions with a trained counselor or therapist. There are adult adhd diagnostic assessment and treatment of talk therapy and the therapist you choose should be based upon your goals and requirements.
Combining psychotherapy and medication is a common way to treat adult ADHD. Studies have demonstrated that combining medication and psychotherapy is more effective than one by itself. The National Institute of Mental Health also recommends this approach.
Talk therapy, or psychotherapy can help you manage your ADHD symptoms and help you develop how to cope. It can help you learn how to deal with problems in your school, work and personal life. Your therapist may suggest you attend individual, group or family therapy, based on your goals and needs.
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, which can affect your emotions and behaviors. For instance, CBT can teach you to change "all or nothing" thinking which can lead people with ADHD to believe that they must perform everything flawlessly or not at all.
In an appointment your counselor will listen to you and ask questions to understand your thoughts and emotions. They will then offer advice based on their experience and research. You might also be assigned homework, such as journaling or trying a different activity. It's crucial to complete homework because it will allow you to apply what you've learned.
It is important to remember that seeking treatment doesn't necessarily mean you're weak. In fact, it's an empowering step toward living the life you've always wanted. With the structure and support, as well as the skills gained through psychotherapy, you will be able to reach your highest goals and ambitions.
Education
Education can be a powerful tool for adults suffering from ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, to learn how to organize tasks and to learn how to talk and listen to others. It can be beneficial to concentrate on teaching patients how to recognize symptoms and how they impact their behavior. This can be accomplished in private sessions or through group therapy.
Research has demonstrated that a variety of psychosocial interventions can dramatically reduce problematic symptoms and improve performance in people with ADHD. Educational interventions can enhance 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. Nevertheless none of them have been proven to be superior to alternatives. Further studies are needed to confirm the results.
In a study it was found that a school program that taught students to recognize their own inattention or impulsive behavior was more effective than waiting for a list to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. Another study found that a daily behavioral report card helped improve academic performance of children suffering from ADHD. It has been established that training for parents to be a behavioral one is effective in decreasing negative parental behavior and enhancing positive family functioning. However, the results of self-directed versus therapist-led training need further exploration.
Adolescents who have ADHD are at a greater risk chance of having impaired driving outcomes like crashes that cause injuries or even death. The intensive summer "bridge" programs have been proven to enhance driving skills in adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions have also been discovered to be beneficial such as central executive training and training for working memory.
Adults suffering from ADHD have difficulty maintaining stable jobs or relationships. Inability to complete tasks or keep on track poor organizational skills, uncontrollable or inattentive behavior can make it difficult for colleagues, family members and coworkers. members. Psychotherapy that teaches patients how to improve communication skills can help them overcome these issues. The same can be said for couples counseling that teaches partners how to deal with each other's problems when they occur.
Counseling
Although medications are beneficial for a significant number of people with ADHD but it is not always enough to eliminate all symptoms. The side effects of medications can be unpredictable and they may affect some people differently. Counseling is therefore an important element of the treatment plan. Counseling can assist people in learning to manage their emotions, develop relationships, and boost self-esteem.
Numerous randomized controlled studies have proven the effectiveness of psychosocial treatment for ADHD. Certain studies have shown that when the combination of therapy and medication is used, both parents and students' perceptions of academic functioning improves. Studies have also proven that the use of a low dose stimulant combined with behavioral therapy improved classroom behavior as well as the performance on homework when compared to a control group.
In a recent study high school counselors were instructed to implement two short homework and organizational interventions for students suffering from ADHD. These interventions were compared with an initial course low dose medication. The results suggest that a sequential multi-assignment randomized trial could be a feasible way to overcome the gap between research and practice in school-based intervention for ADHD.
It is recommended that schools implement ADHD interventions that include behavior management and education for parents prior to trying medications. A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions should be the first option for treating adults and adolescents. For adults and adolescents the first drug to be considered should be stimulants (methylphenidate dexamphetamine, dexamphetamine or lisdexam), unless they cannot take such medications due to other health conditions. In these cases the use of atomoxetine or guanfacine could be considered.
A thorough medical exam must be performed to rule out any other disorders that might affect learning and performance, for example neurological disorders (such epilepsy, Tourette's syndrome or cerebral palsy), nutritional problems as well as substance abuse disorder (SUD) chronic illnesses like asthma, and other comorbid mental disorders. If the examination and history are not remarkable the psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose ADHD by using established diagnostic criteria if they find nothing unusual.
