Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD affects people in ways that affect their home, work and relationships. Standard treatments include medication, skill-training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine is also known as Strattera is the only FDA approved non-stimulant medication for use to treat adult ADHD. It is safe and effective, as per research. Psychosocial interventions that address organizational skills and comorbid conditions have a solid evidence base, notably behavioral parent training (BPT). However, the precision of psychosocial guidelines is difficult to achieve.
Medication
Many people suffering from ADHD discover that a combination of psychosocial therapy and medication is best to manage their symptoms. Medical treatment has been proven to be highly efficient in reducing symptoms of ADHD, but it can take some time for people to see the results. If you're considering using medication to treat your ADHD symptoms, consult your doctor to ensure that it is suitable for you and will not interfere with any other medication you're taking.
People with ADHD might have difficulty staying focused and focused, directing impulses as well as planning and completing tasks on time. These issues can have a negative impact on work, school and social relationships. These difficulties can also make it hard to relax and take advantage of leisure activities.
Medicines are the most effective treatment based on research-based evidence for ADHD. They can reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions, and improve a person’s quality of living. Fortunately, medications are not addicting and carry a very low risks of abuse. People suffering from ADHD may benefit from stimulants, according to numerous studies. Non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine, or Strattera, are available for those who are unable to tolerate stimulant adverse effects.
Medication is not the solution. A thorough evaluation should include a description of symptoms and a description of the effects of ADHD symptoms on a person's daily functioning. It is also important to determine if the person suffers from any comorbid conditions such as depression and anxiety, which could affect the effectiveness of treatment and medications.
A medical examination does generally not reveal any symptoms of the condition. Instead, a diagnosis is based on a clinical judgment, and an history of symptoms that started in childhood. In addition to a thorough interview, other information such as medical records from schools and child health assessments can aid in diagnosing the condition.
There are a myriad of psychosocial therapies available for ADHD such as cognitive remediation and metacognition. However, these do not appear to be superior to pharmacotherapy, and are unlikely to have the same level of effectiveness as a well-dosed medication. Complex regimens are not always followed, and patients are advised to start with a lower dose of medication that is easily mixed with the use of behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD discover that psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, helps to improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that talking therapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or Relapse prevention treatment (RPT) can reduce ADHD symptoms. Talk treatment for add adhd in adults is psychosocial treatment which involves individual sessions with a professional 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 needs.
Combining medication and psychotherapy is a popular method to treat adult ADHD. Studies have shown that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than either one alone. The National Institute of Mental Health also recommends this approach.
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help you manage your ADHD symptoms and develop strategies for coping. It can teach you how to deal with problems in your school, work, and relationship life. Your therapist might suggest that you attend individual, group or family therapy, based on your goals and needs.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that can assist adults with ADHD improve their self-esteem and functioning. CBT teaches you how to identify negative thoughts and change them, which may affect your emotions and behavior. For example, CBT can teach you to alter your "all or nothing" thinking which can lead people with ADHD to believe that they must perform everything perfectly or even not at all.
In a therapy session your counselor listens to your story and asks questions to gain a better understanding of your thoughts and feelings. The therapist will then offer you advice based upon their research and experience. You may also be given homework, such as journaling or trying a different activity. It's important to do the homework, as it will help you practice what you've learned.
It is important to keep in mind that seeking treatment does not mean you are weak. In fact, it's a brave step toward living the life you've always wanted. You can achieve your goals and ambitions with the help of psychotherapy.
Education
Education can be a beneficial method for adults suffering from ADHD. Education can include classes to teach organization skills, how to prepare for work, and ways to improve the way one talks and listens to other people. It can be beneficial to teach patients how to recognize symptoms and how they affect their behavior. This can be accomplished in a group or individual therapy.
Research has demonstrated that a variety of psychosocial interventions can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD people and enhance their performance. These include educational programs, which can improve academic achievement and self-report of ADHD symptoms. Many cognitive and behavioral treatments have been proven to be efficient. These include hypnotherapy as well as neurofeedback. However, not all of them have been proved to be superior to the controls and the results require further testing.
In the course of a study, a program that taught students to recognize their own inattention and impulsive behavior was found to be more effective than waitlist control in improving self-reports of ADHD symptoms. Another study revealed that a daily behavioral report card helped improve academic performance of children suffering from ADHD. Training for parents to be more observant has been shown to be effective in reducing negative parenting behaviors and enhancing positive family functioning, however the effects of self-directed training for parents versus therapist-led parenting needs further investigation.
Adolescents with ADHD are at a high risk of having impaired driving outcomes, including crashes that cause injury or death. The intensive summer "bridge" programs have been proven to improve driving abilities in adolescents suffering from ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions have been found to be helpful including central executive training and training for working memory.
Adults suffering from ADHD are unable to maintain stable relationships or jobs. Inability to finish tasks or keep on track in a timely manner, lack of organizational skills and impulsive or inattentive behaviors can strain the patience of colleagues, family members and coworkers. members. Psychotherapy that helps patients improve communication skills can help them overcome these challenges. The same is true for couples counseling, which teaches partners how to deal with each other's problems as they arise.
Counseling
While medication can be beneficial for a lot of people with ADHD but it doesn't always reduce all symptoms. The effects of medication can be unpredictable and trigger negative side effects that affect certain people in different ways. This is why counseling is an important component of the overall treatment plan. Counseling can assist people in learning to manage their emotions, establish relationships, and improve self-esteem.
The effectiveness of psychosocial therapies for ADHD has been proven in several controlled studies that are randomized. In some studies, the academic performance of both the parents and students improved when a combination of medication and behavioral therapy was utilized. Additionally, studies have shown that the use of an extremely low dose of stimulant medication with behavioral therapy improves classroom behavior and homework performance when compared to a control group.
In a recent study, high school counselors were trained on how to implement two short homework and organization programs for ADHD students. The two interventions were then compared with an initial course of low dose medication. The results suggest that a sequential multi-assignment, randomized trial may be a successful method to bridge the gap between research findings and practice in school-based interventions for ADHD.
Before attempting to take medication for ADHD, it is recommended that schools implement ADHD intervention, which includes behavior training and parent education. A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions should be the primary option for treatment for adults and adolescents. For adolescents and adults the first drug to be considered should be stimulants (methylphenidate dexamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine or dexamphe), unless they cannot use these medications due to other health issues. In these cases the use of atomoxetine or guanfacine could be considered.
A thorough medical examination should be performed to determine the presence of any other disorder that might affect learning and functioning, such as neurological disorders (such epilepsy, Tourette's Syndrome or cerebral palsy) or nutritional issues, substance abuse disorder (SUD) chronic illnesses like asthma, and comorbid mental disorders. If the history and examination are not remarkable the psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose ADHD with established diagnostic criteria, if they find nothing unusual.