Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can impact a person's work, family life and relationships. The most common treatments include medication, skills training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved non-stimulant drug for adults with ADHD. It is safe and effective, according to research. Psychosocial interventions that address organizational skills and comorbid disorders have a strong evidence base and are particularly effective in training parents to be behavioral (BPT). However, precision in psychosocial guidelines is not easy to achieve.
Medication
For many people suffering from ADHD it is believed that a combination of medication and psychosocial treatment is the best approach to manage their symptoms. Medication has been shown to be extremely effective in reducing symptoms of ADHD however, it may take a while for someone to see the results. Consult your physician in the event that you're considering using medication to treat your ADHD symptoms. Make sure that it's safe for you and that it doesn't interact with other medications you are taking.
People with ADHD might have difficulty focus and concentration, regulating impulses as well as planning and completing tasks in time. These issues can affect work, school and social relationships. These problems can also make it hard to relax and take advantage of leisure activities.
The most effective treatment for ADHD is medication. The use of medications can reduce or eliminate the requirement for psychosocial interventions, and improve a person’s quality of living. Fortunately, medications are not addictive and they have very low risks of misuse. People suffering from ADHD may benefit from stimulants, based on numerous studies. Those who cannot tolerate the negative effects of stimulant medications may choose non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine (Strattera).
The medication isn't the only option. A thorough assessment should include a detailed description of ADHD symptoms and the impact they have on everyday functioning. It is crucial to determine if the person is suffering from any co-morbid conditions such as depression or anxiety that could affect the response to medication or treatment.
A medical examination will not usually reveal any signs of the condition. However, a diagnosis is based on clinical judgment and a history of symptoms that began in the earliest years of childhood. A thorough interview may be helpful when combined with collateral information, like medical records from schools or child health assessments.
There are many psychosocial treatments available for ADHD such as cognitive remediation and metacognition. These psychosocial treatments don't appear to be as effective as pharmacotherapy, and are unlikely have the same effectiveness. Patients are advised to begin with a low dose medication that can be paired with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD discover that therapy or psychotherapy helps them improve their life. Some studies suggest that certain types of talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Relapse prevention therapy (RPT), can help reduce symptoms of ADHD. Talk therapy is a type of psychosocial treatment that consists of one-on-one sessions with a trained counselor or therapist. There are many kinds of therapy that can be used and the therapist you choose should be based upon your goals and requirements.
A common method of treating adult ADHD is to employ a combination of medications and psychotherapy. Studies have shown that combining medication and psychotherapy is more effective than either one alone. This method is also recommended by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms and learn strategies for coping. adhd treatment for adults online can help you learn how to handle problems in your school, work and personal life. Based on your needs and goals, your therapist may recommend that you attend individual or family therapy.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a kind of psychotherapy that helps people with ADHD improve their functioning and self-esteem. CBT helps you learn how to recognize and change negative thoughts that can influence your mood and behavior. For instance, CBT can teach you to alter your "all or nothing" thinking, which can cause people with ADHD to believe that they must do everything flawlessly or not at all.
During a session the therapist will listen to you and ask questions to understand your thoughts and feelings. The therapist will then offer advice based on their experience and research. You might also be provided with homework, such as journaling or trying a different activity. It is important to complete the homework, as it will allow you to practice what you've learned.
It is important to keep in mind that seeking treatment does not mean that you're weak. It's a bold move to live the life you've always wanted. With the structure and support that you build through psychotherapy, you will be able to attain your most important goals and ambitions.
Education
Education can be a powerful tool for adults with ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, to learn how to organize tasks, and also to learn to talk and listen to others. Therapy that focuses on helping the patient to recognize their symptoms and how they affect behavior could also be beneficial. This can be done either in individual sessions or group therapy.
Research has demonstrated that a variety of psychosocial interventions can help to reduce symptoms that are problematic for ADHD people and enhance their performance. Educational interventions can enhance academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Various cognitive and behavior therapies have been shown to be effective, including hypnotherapy, neurofeedback, metacognitive training, and cognitive remediation. However, not all of them have been proved to be superior to control methods and the results require further testing.
In an investigation, it was found that a program of education that taught students how to identify their own inattention or impulsive behavior was more effective than relying on a list to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. A daily behavior report card was found to boost academic performance for children with ADHD in a different study. Training for parents to be more observant has been shown to be effective in reducing negative parenting behaviors and enhancing positive family functioning, but the effect of self-directed training for parents versus therapist-led parenting needs further investigation.
Adolescents with ADHD are at risk of impaired driving outcomes, including crashes that cause injuries or even death. The intensive summer "bridge" programs have been proven to improve driving skills among adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions discovered to be beneficial include central executive training and working memory training.
Adults suffering from ADHD often have trouble maintaining a stable job or relationships. Inability to complete tasks or complete them, poor organizational skills and impulsive or inattentive behaviors can strain the patience of co-workers, colleagues and family members. Psychotherapy that assists patients in improving their communication skills can aid in overcoming these difficulties. Couples counseling can help partners deal with problems that arise.
Counseling
While medication is effective for a lot of people with ADHD however, it isn't always sufficient to treat all symptoms. The effects of medication can be unpredictable and trigger negative side effects that affect certain individuals in a variety of ways. Counseling is therefore an important part of the treatment plan. Counseling can help individuals find better ways to manage their emotions, improve relationships build self-esteem and develop strategies to cope with the unique challenges of living with ADHD.
Multiple studies that have been randomized controlled have proven the efficacy of psychosocial treatment for ADHD. In certain studies, the academic performance of both the students and parents improved when a combination of medication and behavioral therapy was utilized. Studies have also shown that the use of a low dose stimulant coupled with behavioral therapy can improve classroom behavior as well as homework performance when compared to a comparison group.
In a recent study, high school counselors were instructed to implement two brief 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, multi-assignment, randomized trial may be a viable method of bridging the gap between research findings and actual implementation of school-based interventions for ADHD.
It is recommended that schools implement ADHD interventions, which include behavior training and education for parents prior to trying medication. For adults and adolescents, the first treatment should consist of a combination of psychosocial interventions and pharmacotherapy. The first medication for adults and adolescents must be stimulants, such as dexamphetamine or methylphenidate, except that some other health conditions prohibit them from taking these medications. In such cases the use of atomoxetine or guanfacine could be considered.
A thorough medical examination must be conducted to rule out other disorders that can interfere with functioning and learning, including neurological disorders (such as epilepsy, Tourette's Syndrome, or cerebral palsy) as well as nutrition issues and substance use disorders (SUD) chronic illnesses like asthma and comorbid psychological issues. If the examination and history aren't particularly remarkable, a psychiatrist or psychologist may be able to diagnose ADHD with established diagnostic criteria if they find no unusual findings.