Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD affects people in ways that impact their home, work and relationships. Standard treatments involve medications, training for skills and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved, non-stimulant medication for adult ADHD. It is safe and effective, as per research. Psychosocial interventions that address issues with organizational skills and comorbid disorders have a solid evidence base including behavioral parent training (BPT). However, the precision of psychosocial guidelines is a challenge to achieve.
Medication
For many people with ADHD the combination of psychosocial treatment and medication is the best approach to manage their symptoms. The use of medication has been proven to be extremely effective in reducing symptoms of ADHD, but it can take some time for people to see results. If you're considering taking medication to improve your ADHD symptoms, speak to your doctor to ensure that it is suitable for you and won't interfere with other medications you are taking.
People suffering from ADHD may have trouble concentrating and focusing, controlling impulses as well as planning and completing tasks in time. These issues can impact school, work and social interactions. adhd treatment for adults medication can also make it difficult to relax and take advantage of leisure activities.
The most effective treatment for ADHD is medication. They can help reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions and they can greatly enhance a person's quality of life. It is good to know that medications aren't addicting and carry a the lowest risk of misuse. Several studies have shown that people with ADHD benefit from using stimulants. Non-stimulant medicines like atomoxetine, also known as Strattera are available to people who are unable to take stimulants' adverse effects.
Medication is only part of the solution. A thorough assessment will include a detailed description of ADHD symptoms and the impact they have on everyday functioning. It is important to determine if the patient suffers from any co-morbid disorders like anxiety or depression that may affect the response to medication and therapy.
A medical examination is not required to reveal any symptoms of the disorder, and a diagnosis is based by clinical judgment, based on an evident evidence of symptoms starting from childhood onwards. A detailed interview can be helpful when combined with additional information, like school records or health assessments.
Different psychosocial treatments for ADHD are available that include metacognition, cognitive remediation and working memory training. However, these do not appear to be more effective than psychotherapy, and aren't likely to be as effective of efficacy as a properly dosed medication. Complex regimens are often not adhered to and patients are advised to begin with a small dose of medication that can be easily mixed with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people suffering from ADHD discover that psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help them improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that talking therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or Relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can reduce ADHD symptoms. Talk therapy is a psychosocial treatment that involves sessions with a professional therapist or counselor. There are various types of therapy that can be used and the therapist you select should be based upon your goals and needs.
Combining medication and psychotherapy is a popular method to treat adult ADHD. Studies have shown that combining therapy and medication is more effective than one alone. This approach is also recommended by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you to deal with ADHD symptoms and manage these symptoms. It can help you learn how to handle problems at work, school and personal life. Based on your needs and goals your therapist might suggest that you participate in individual, family, or group therapy.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that helps adults suffering from ADHD to boost their self-esteem and performance. CBT works by teaching you how to recognize and modify negative thoughts that can affect your emotions and behaviors. For example, CBT can teach you to shift your "all or nothing" thinking that can cause people with ADHD to believe that they must perform everything perfectly or not at all.
In a therapy session, your therapist listens to you and asks questions to help you understand your thoughts and feelings. They will then provide you with advice based on their experience and research. They might also give you homework, such as journaling or trying something new. It is important to complete your homework because it will aid you in putting what you have learned into action.
It is important to keep in mind that seeking treatment does not necessarily mean you're weak. It's a brave move to live the life you deserve. With the structure, support, and skills that you build through psychotherapy, you will be able to achieve your biggest goals and ambitions.
Education
Education can be a potent instrument to assist adults with ADHD. It can be used to teach organization skills, how to prepare for tasks, and ways to improve the way one talks and listens to others. Therapy that focuses on teaching the patient to be aware of their symptoms and how they affect their behavior could also be beneficial. This can be accomplished through individual sessions or through group therapy.
Research has proven that many psychosocial interventions can dramatically reduce the symptoms of ADHD and improve functioning in individuals with ADHD. Educational interventions can improve academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Various cognitive and behavior therapies have been proven to be effective, including hypnotherapy, neurofeedback, metacognitive training, and cognitive remediation. However none of these have been proven to be superior to control methods and the results need further testing.
In an investigation it was found that a program of education that taught students to recognize their own inattention or impulsive behavior was more effective than waiting for an inventory to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. A daily report card on behavior was found to improve academic performance of children suffering from ADHD in a separate study. It has been proven that behavioral parent training can be effective in reducing negative parental behavior and enhancing positive family function. However, the results of therapist-led versus self-directed training require further investigation.
Adolescents who have ADHD are at a high chance of having impaired driving outcomes such as crashes resulting in injury or death. Intensive summer "bridge" programs have been proven to enhance driving skills among adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions found to be useful include central executive training and working memory training.
Adults suffering from ADHD are unable to maintain stable jobs or relationships. Inability to complete tasks or keep on track, poor organizational skills and inattention or impulsive behavior can make it difficult for colleagues, family members and coworkers. members. Psychotherapy that helps patients improve communication skills can help them deal with these challenges. The same can be said for couples counseling which teaches partners how to deal with each other's problems as they occur.
Counseling
While medication can be beneficial for many people suffering from ADHD it does not always eliminate the symptoms in all cases. The adverse effects of medications can be unpredictable, and they can affect certain people in different ways. Counseling is therefore an essential component of the overall treatment. Counseling can be used to help people learn to better manage their emotions, establish relationships, and boost self-esteem.
Numerous randomized controlled studies have proven the efficacy of psychosocial treatment for ADHD. In certain studies, academic functioning of both students and parents improved when a combination of medication and behavioral therapy was employed. Additionally, research has found that using the use of a small dose of stimulant medication in combination with behavioral therapy can improve academic performance and classroom behavior when compared to a control group.
In a recent study high school counselors received training on how to implement two brief homework and organization programs for ADHD students. The two interventions were compared to an initial course of low dose medication. The results suggest that a sequential, multi-assignment, randomized trial may be a viable method to bridge the gap between research findings and implementation of school-based interventions for ADHD.
It is recommended that schools implement ADHD interventions that include behavior education and education for parents, prior to trying medication. For adults and adolescents, the first treatment should consist of pharmacotherapy with psychosocial interventions. For adolescents and adults the first drug to be considered should be stimulants (methylphenidate dexamphetamine, dexamphetamine or lisdexam) in the event that they are unable to take such drugs due to health conditions. In these cases either atomoxetine, or guanfacine may be considered.
A thorough medical examination should be conducted to rule out any other conditions that can interfere with learning and functioning, such as neurological disorders (such as epilepsy, Tourette's Syndrome, or cerebral palsy), nutrition problems as well as substance use disorder (SUD), chronic illnesses such as asthma, and comorbid psychological disorders. If the history and exam are unremarkable the diagnosis of ADHD can be made by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist based on established diagnostic criteria.