Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD affects people in ways that impact their work, home and relationships. The most common treatments include medication, skills training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine is also known as Strattera is the sole FDA approved non-stimulant medication to treat adult ADHD. Studies have proven that it is effective and has a low risk of abuse. Psychosocial interventions that address the comorbidities and organizational skills have a strong evidence base, notably the behavioral parent training (BPT). However, precision in psychosocial guidelines is difficult to achieve.
Medication
For many people suffering from ADHD, a combination of medication and psychosocial treatment is the best way to manage their symptoms. It may take some time for a person to notice any improvements in their ADHD symptoms. Talk to 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.
adult adhd diagnosis and treatment with ADHD struggle with staying focused and concentrating, controlling impulses planning and accomplishing tasks on time. These issues can impact the school, work and social relationships. They can also make it difficult to take pleasure in leisure activities and relax.
Medications are the most effective evidence-based treatment for ADHD. The use of medications can decrease 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 very low risks of abuse. Numerous studies have proven that those with ADHD benefit from stimulants. Non-stimulant medicines like atomoxetine, also known as Strattera are available to those who cannot tolerate stimulant side effects.
Medication is not the only 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 individual is suffering from any co-morbid conditions such as anxiety or depression that may affect the response to medication and therapy.
A medical exam does generally not reveal any symptoms of the condition. However, a diagnosis is based on a clinical judgment and an history of symptoms that started in the earliest years of childhood. A detailed interview can be helpful when combined with other information, such as school records or child health assessments.
Many psychosocial treatments for ADHD are available such as metacognition, cognitive remediation and working memory training. However, these do not appear to be superior to psychotherapy, and aren't likely to achieve the same level of efficacy as a properly dosed medication. Patients are advised to start with a low dose medication that can be paired with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD discover that psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help them improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that certain kinds of therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can alleviate symptoms of ADHD. Talk therapy is a form of psychosocial treatment which involves individual sessions with a trained therapist or counselor. There are various types of therapy that can be used and the therapist you choose should be based on your goals and needs.
A common approach to treating adult ADHD is using a combination of medications and psychotherapy. Studies have proven that combining medication and psychotherapy is more effective than either method by itself. The National Institute of Mental Health also recommends this method.
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms and help you develop coping skills. It can help you learn how to handle problems in your work, school and in your relationship. Your therapist might suggest that you attend individual, group or family therapy based on your needs and goals.
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 behavior and emotions. CBT for instance, can teach you how to overcome "all-or-nothing" thinking that can cause people with ADHD believe that they must be doing everything perfectly or not at all.
In a therapy session, your counselor listens to your story and asks questions to help you understand your thoughts and emotions. The therapist will then offer advice based on their experience and research. You may also be given homework, like journaling or trying a different activity. You must complete your homework because it will aid you in putting what you have learned into action.
It's important to keep in mind that seeking treatment is not an indication of weakness. In fact, it's a brave step toward living the life you deserve. With the structure, support, and skills that you build through psychotherapy, you can attain your most important goals and ambitions.
Education
Education can be an effective method for adults suffering from ADHD. Education may include classes that teach organization skills, how to prepare for tasks, and methods to improve the way one talks and listens to other people. Therapy that focuses on helping the patient to identify their symptoms and how they affect behavior could also be beneficial. This can be done in individual sessions or through group therapy.
Research has shown that various psychosocial interventions can dramatically reduce symptoms that cause problems and improve the functioning of people with ADHD. Educational interventions can enhance academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Many behavioral and cognitive therapies have been shown to be effective. These include hypnotherapy and neurofeedback. However they are not all have been proven to be superior over the controls. Further research is required to confirm the results.
In the course of a study it was discovered that a school program that taught students to recognize their own inattention or impulsive behavior was more effective than waiting for lists to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. A daily report card for behavior was discovered to improve academic performance of children suffering from ADHD in another study. The training of parents on behavior has been shown to be effective in reducing negative parenting behaviors and increasing positive family functioning, but the effects of self-directed versus therapist-led parental training needs more research.
Adolescents who have ADHD are at a higher danger of driving accidents that result from impaired thinking, such as crashes resulting in injuries or even death. The intensive summer "bridge" programs have been proven to improve driving skills in adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions found to be useful include central executive training and working memory training.
Adults suffering from ADHD often have trouble maintaining a stable job or relationships. Inability to organize their lives, inability to complete or complete tasks, and impulsive and inattentive behavior can make co-workers and family members unhappy. Psychotherapy that assists patients in improving their communication skills can help them manage these issues. Couples counseling teaches partners to deal with problems that arise.
Counseling
Although medication is effective for a lot of people with ADHD but it is not always sufficient to reduce the severity of symptoms. The effects of medication can be unpredictable and cause side effects that impact some people in various ways. Therefore, counseling is a crucial element of the overall treatment plan. Counseling can help patients discover better ways to manage their emotions, improve relationships and self-esteem, as well as learn strategies to deal with the unique challenges associated with living with ADHD.
The effectiveness of psychosocial treatments for ADHD has been demonstrated in numerous controlled trials that were randomized. In some studies, the academic performance of both students and parents improved when a combination medication and behavioral therapy was used. Studies have also shown that medications that are low doses of stimulant combined with behavioral therapy improved the behavior of students in class and homework performance when compared to a control group.
In a recent study, high school counselors were instructed to implement two brief homework and organizational interventions for students suffering from ADHD. The two interventions were compared to an initial course of low dose medication. The results suggest that a continuous, multi-assignment randomized study could be an effective method to bridge the gap between research findings and practices in school-based programs for ADHD.
It is recommended that schools implement ADHD interventions that include behavior management and education for parents prior to trying medication. For adults and adolescents the first course of treatment should consist of pharmacotherapy with psychosocial interventions. For adolescents and adults the first treatment should be stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamphetamine or lisdexamfetamine) as long as they are able to use these medications due to other health conditions. In these cases the use of atomoxetine or guanfacine could be considered.
A thorough medical examination must 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) as well as nutrition issues, substance use disorder (SUD), chronic illnesses such as asthma and comorbid psychological issues. If the history and exam are unremarkable the diagnosis of ADHD can be made by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist using an established diagnostic criteria.