Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can affect someone's home life, work and relationships. The most common treatments are medications, skill training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved non-stimulant medication for adult ADHD. It is safe and effective, based on research. Psychosocial interventions addressing the comorbid disorder and organizational skills have a strong evidence base including behavioral parent training (BPT). However, accuracy in psychosocial guidelines is difficult to achieve.
Medication
Many people suffering from ADHD find that a combination of psychosocial therapy and medication is the best for managing their symptoms. Medical treatment has been proven to be extremely effective in reducing symptoms of ADHD however, it may take a while for people to see results. Consult your doctor if you're considering taking medication to help improve your ADHD symptoms. Make sure it's safe for you and doesn't interfere with other medications you are taking.
People suffering from ADHD struggle with staying focused and concentrating, controlling impulses planning and accomplishing tasks in a timely manner. These difficulties can affect work, school and social relationships. These issues can make it hard to relax and take pleasure in leisure activities.
untreated adhd in adults relationships are the most effective treatment based on research-based evidence for ADHD. The use of medications can decrease or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions, and can significantly enhance a person's quality of life. It is good to know that medications aren't addicting and carry a low risk of misuse. People suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from stimulants, as per numerous studies. People who are unable to tolerate the negative effects of stimulant medications may choose non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine (Strattera).
Medication is only part of the solution. A thorough assessment should include a detailed history of symptoms as well as a description of the impact of ADHD symptoms on the person's daily life. It is also important to determine if the person has any comorbid conditions, such as depression and anxiety, that could affect the effectiveness of treatment and medications.
A medical exam does not usually reveal any signs of the disorder. The diagnosis is based upon clinical judgment and the history of symptoms that began in childhood. A thorough interview may be useful in conjunction with other information, like medical records from schools or child health assessments.
Many psychosocial treatments for ADHD are available that include cognitive remediation, metacognition and working memory training. However, these do not seem to be more effective than psychotherapy, and aren't likely to be as effective of efficacy as a properly dosed medication. Patients are advised to start with a lower dose of medication that is able to be combined with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD discover that psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help to improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that talk therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or Relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Talk therapy is a kind of psychosocial treatment which involves one-on-one sessions with a trained counselor or therapist. Different types of talk therapy are available and the choice of therapist should be based on your specific needs and goals.
A typical approach to treating adult ADHD is to employ the combination of medication and psychotherapy. Studies have proven that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than any approach alone. This method is also recommended by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Psychotherapy, also known as psychotherapy can aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms and help you develop strategies for coping. It can also teach you strategies for dealing with difficulties in your work, relationships and school. Your therapist may suggest that you attend group, individual, or family therapy depending on your goals and requirements.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that helps people with ADHD improve their functioning and self-esteem. CBT helps you learn how to recognize and modify negative thoughts that influence your behavior and emotions. 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 perfectly or even not at all.
During a therapy session, your therapy therapist listens to you and asks questions to gain a better understanding of your thoughts and feelings. They will then give you tips based on their experiences and research. They might also provide you with assignments, like journaling or trying something new. It is important to complete homework because it will allow you to apply what you've learned.
It's important to remember that seeking treatment isn't a sign of weakness. In fact, it's a brave step toward living the life you've always wanted. With the structure and support that you acquire through psychotherapy, you will be able to achieve your biggest goals and dreams.
Education
Education can be a powerful method for adults suffering from ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, learn to manage tasks, and to learn to communicate with others. Therapy that focuses on helping the patient to recognize their symptoms and how they affect behavior can also be helpful. This can be accomplished in individual sessions or in group therapy.
Research has demonstrated that a variety of psychosocial interventions can help to reduce symptoms that are problematic for ADHD individuals and improve their performance. These include educational interventions that can boost academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Many cognitive and behavioral treatments have been proven to be efficient. 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 one study, an educational program that taught students to identify their own inattention and impulsive behavior was found to be more effective than waitlist control for improving self-report ADHD symptoms. A daily report card for behavior was found to boost academic performance for children with ADHD in a different study. It has been established that behavioral parent training can be effective in reducing negative parental behaviors and increasing positive family functioning. However, the results of therapist-led and self-directed training require further investigation.
Adolescents suffering from ADHD are at high risk of having impaired driving outcomes, such as accidents that cause injuries or even death. adhd symptoms in adults treatment have been proven to enhance driving skills in adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions that have been proven to be effective include central executive training and working memory training.
Adults with ADHD frequently have difficulty maintaining a stable job or relationships. Inability to finish tasks or follow through poor organizational skills, inattention or impulsive behavior can strain the patience of co-workers, colleagues and family members. Psychotherapy that teaches patients how to improve their 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 when they occur.
Counseling
While medications can be effective for many people with ADHD it does not always reduce the symptoms in all cases. The adverse effects of medications can be unpredictable and they may affect some individuals in a different way. Counseling is therefore an essential element of the overall treatment. Counseling can help individuals find better methods to manage their emotions, improve their relationships, build self-esteem and learn strategies to deal with the unique challenges of living with ADHD.
Multiple studies that have been randomized controlled have proven the effectiveness of psychosocial therapy for ADHD. In certain studies, the academic performance of both students and parents improved when a combination of medication and behavioral therapy was utilized. Studies have also demonstrated that a low dose stimulant medication coupled with behavioral therapy can improve the behavior of students in class and homework performance when compared to a control group.
In a recent study high school counselors were trained on how to implement two brief homework and organization interventions with ADHD students. The two interventions were then compared with an initial course of low dose medication. The results suggest that a continuous, multi-assignment randomized study could be a viable method to bridge the gap between research findings and actual practices in school-based programs for ADHD.
Before attempting to take medication, it is recommended that schools implement ADHD intervention that includes behavior management and education for parents. For adults and adolescents the initial treatment should be a combination of psychosocial interventions and pharmacotherapy. For adults and adolescents the first treatment should be stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamphetamine or lisdexamfetamine), unless they cannot use these medications due to any other health conditions. In these instances the use of atomoxetine or guanfacine could be considered.
A thorough medical exam must be performed to rule out any other disorders that could affect learning and performance, for example neurological disorders (such Tourette's Syndrome, epilepsy, or cerebral palsy) as well as nutritional issues as well as substance abuse disorder (SUD) chronic diseases such as asthma, and comorbid mental disorders. If the examination and history are not significant the diagnosis of ADHD can be made by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist based on established diagnostic criteria.