Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can affect someone's work, family life and relationships. Treatments typically include medication, skills training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved non-stimulant medication for adult ADHD. It is safe and effective, according to research. Psychosocial interventions that address the comorbid disorder and organizational skills have a solid evidence base including behavioral parent training (BPT). However, accuracy in psychosocial guidelines is a challenge to attain.
Medication
For many people suffering from ADHD it is believed that a combination of psychosocial treatment and medication is the best approach to manage their symptoms. Medication has been shown to be very effective in improving 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 make sure that it is suitable for you and won't interact with any other medications you're taking.
People with ADHD may have trouble concentrating and focusing, controlling impulses and planning tasks in time. These issues can affect school, work 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. They can help reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions, and can significantly enhance a person's quality of life. Fortunately, great post to read are not addictive and have a very low risks of misuse. People suffering from ADHD can benefit from stimulants, according to numerous studies. People who are unable to tolerate the side effects of stimulant medications may choose non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine (Strattera).
Treatment isn't the only option. A thorough evaluation should include a detailed history of symptoms and a discussion of the effects of ADHD symptoms on the person's daily life. It should also be able to identify if the person has any other comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety, that could affect the effectiveness of treatment and medications.
A medical examination will generally not reveal any symptoms of the disorder. However, a diagnosis is based on clinical judgment and a history of symptoms that started in the early years of childhood. In addition to a detailed interview, other information such as medical records from schools and child health assessments can aid in establishing a diagnosis.
There are a variety of psychosocial treatments available for ADHD such as metacognition and cognitive rehabilitation. However, none of these appear to be superior to the pharmacotherapy method, and are not likely to have the same level of effectiveness as a dosed medication. The more complex regimens are usually not followed, and patients are advised to begin with a small dosage of medication that can be easily coupled with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people suffering from ADHD find that psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help to improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that certain kinds of therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can help reduce symptoms of ADHD. Talk therapy is a kind of psychosocial treatment which involves one-on-one sessions between a professional counselor or therapist. There are many kinds of therapy that can be used and the therapist you choose will depend on your goals and requirements.
Combining medication and psychotherapy is a popular method to treat adult ADHD. Studies have shown that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than one by itself. The National Institute of Mental Health also recommends this approach.
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms and help you develop strategies for coping. It can help you learn how to deal with problems in your work, school, and relationship life. Based on your goals and needs your therapist might suggest that you participate in individual, family, or group therapy.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps adults with ADHD improve their functioning and self-esteem. CBT works by teaching you how to recognize and alter negative thoughts that can influence your behavior and emotions. For example, CBT can teach you to change "all or nothing" thinking that can cause people with ADHD to believe that they must do everything perfectly or even not at all.
In an appointment your therapist will listen to your and ask questions to understand your thoughts and feelings. They will then provide you with tips based on their experiences and research. You may also be given homework, such as journaling or attempting a new activity. You should do your homework as it will aid you in putting what you have learned into action.
It is important to remember that seeking treatment isn't an indication of weakness. In fact, it's a courageous step toward living the life you deserve. You can accomplish your goals and ambitions with the help of psychotherapy.
Education
Education can be a beneficial tool for adults with ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, to learn to organize tasks, and to learn to communicate with other people. It can be beneficial to focus on teaching patients to recognize signs and how they impact their behavior. This can be accomplished through individual sessions or in group therapy.
Research has demonstrated that various psychosocial interventions can significantly reduce the symptoms of ADHD and improve functioning in individuals with ADHD. These include educational programs, which can boost academic performance and self-report of ADHD symptoms. A variety of behavioral and cognitive therapies 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 controls and the results need further replication.
In a study, it was found that an educational program which 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 on behavior was discovered to improve academic performance for children with ADHD in a different study. It has been demonstrated that behavioral parenting training is effective in decreasing negative parental behaviors and promoting positive family functioning. However, the effects of therapist-led versus self-directed training require further investigation.
Adolescents with ADHD are at a high danger of driving accidents that result from impaired thinking, like crashes that result in injury or death. The intensive summer "bridge" programs have been shown to improve driving skills in adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions that have been discovered to be beneficial 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 complete them in a timely manner, lack of organizational skills and uncontrollable or inattentive behavior can make it difficult for co-workers, colleagues and family members. Psychotherapy that helps patients improve their communication skills can help manage these difficulties. The same is true for couples counseling which assists partners in dealing with each other's problems as they occur.
Counseling
While medication is beneficial for a significant number of people with ADHD, it is not always enough to eliminate the severity of symptoms. Medications can be unpredictable and cause negative side effects that affect certain people in different ways. For this reason, counseling is an essential part of the overall treatment plan. Counseling can aid people in learning how to manage their emotions, establish relationships, and increase self-esteem.
The efficacy of psychosocial treatment for ADHD has been proven in numerous controlled trials that were randomized. A few studies showed that when a combination of behavioral therapy and medication is used, both parents and students' perceptions of academic functioning improves. Studies have also demonstrated that a low dose stimulant medication combined with a behavioral therapy program improved both classroom behavior as well as homework performance when compared with a comparably group.
In a recent research study, high school counselors were trained to implement two short homework and organization interventions for students suffering from ADHD. These interventions were compared to an initial course of medication that was low dose. The results suggest that a sequential, 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 medication it is recommended that schools implement ADHD intervention that includes behavior management and parent education. A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions should be the first option for treatment for adolescents and adults. For adults and adolescents, the first medication should be stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamphetamine or lisdexamfetamine), unless they cannot take these drugs due to health conditions. In these cases, atomoxetine and guanfacine are alternatives.
A thorough medical examination should be conducted to rule out any other disorders that may interfere with learning and functioning, such as neurological disorders (such epilepsy, Tourette's syndrome or cerebral palsy) or nutritional issues and substance abuse disorders (SUD), chronic diseases such as asthma, and comorbid mental disorders. If the examination and history are not significant the diagnosis of ADHD is made by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist using an established diagnostic criteria.