Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can impact a person's work, home life and relationships. The most common treatments are medication, skill-training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine is also known as Strattera is the sole FDA approved non-stimulant medication that is approved to treat adult ADHD. It is safe and effective, based on research. Psychosocial interventions that address organizational skills and comorbid conditions have a solid evidence base particularly behavioral parent training (BPT). However, accuracy in psychosocial guidelines is not easy to achieve.
Medication
Many people suffering from ADHD are able to determine that a mix of psychosocial therapy and medication is the best to treat their symptoms. The use of medication has been proven to be extremely efficient in reducing symptoms of ADHD, but it can take a few months for someone to see results. If you're considering taking medication to improve your ADHD symptoms, consult your doctor to make sure that it is suitable for you and won't interfere with other medications you are taking.
People with ADHD have trouble focusing and concentrating, controlling their 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 time out and relax.
The most effective treatment for ADHD is medication. Medications are able to reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions and can improve the quality of life. Fortunately, medication does not cause addiction and carry a low chance of being misused. People suffering from ADHD can benefit from stimulants, according to various studies. Non-stimulant medicines like atomoxetine, or Strattera are available to those who are unable to tolerate stimulant adverse effects.
Medication is not the only solution. A thorough assessment should include a history of symptoms as well as a description of the effects of ADHD symptoms on a person's daily functioning. It is essential to determine if the person suffers from any co-morbid disorders such as depression or anxiety which could impact the effectiveness of medication and therapy.
A medical exam does generally not reveal any symptoms of the condition. However, a diagnosis is based upon clinical judgment and a history of symptoms that began in the earliest years of childhood. In addition to a detailed interview, collateral information like school records and child health assessments can be useful in diagnosing the condition.
Different psychosocial treatments for ADHD are available that include metacognition, cognitive remediation and working memory training. These psychosocial treatments don't seem to be as effective as pharmacotherapy, and are not likely to have the same effectiveness. The more complex regimens are usually not adhered to and patients are advised to start with a lower dose of medication that is easily mixed with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD find that talking therapy or psychotherapy can help improve their lives. Some studies suggest that certain types of therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can alleviate symptoms of ADHD. Talk therapy is a kind of psychosocial treatment that involves one-on-one sessions with a trained counselor or therapist. There are many kinds of therapy that can be used, and the therapist you select should be based on your goals and requirements.
Combining medication and psychotherapy is a popular method to treat adult ADHD. Studies have demonstrated that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than each approach alone. This method is also recommended by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you to cope with ADHD symptoms and manage these symptoms. It can help you learn how to manage issues in your school, work and personal life. Based on your goals and needs your therapist might suggest that you take part in individual or group therapy.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that can assist adults with ADHD improve their functioning and self-esteem. best treatment for adhd in adults helps you recognize negative thoughts and alter them, which may affect your behavior and emotions. For instance, CBT can teach you to change "all or nothing" thinking, which can cause people with ADHD to believe that they must perform everything perfectly or not at all.
In the course of a session your counselor will listen to you and ask questions to help you understand your thoughts and emotions. They will then provide you with tips based on their experiences and research. You might also be assigned homework, such as journaling or trying a different activity. You must complete your homework since it will aid you in putting what you have learned into action.
It is important to remember that seeking treatment isn't a sign of weakness. It's a courageous choice to live the life you've always wanted. You can achieve your goals and ambitions by utilizing psychotherapy.
Education
Education can be a beneficial method for adults suffering from ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, to learn to manage tasks, and to learn to listen and speak to other people. Therapy that focuses on helping the patient to identify their symptoms and how they affect their behavior could also be beneficial. This can be accomplished through private sessions or through group therapy.
Research has demonstrated that a variety psychosocial interventions can help to reduce symptoms that are problematic for ADHD people and improve their functioning. Educational interventions can enhance academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. A variety of behavioral and cognitive therapies have been shown to be effective, including hypnotherapy, neurofeedback, metacognitive training, and cognitive remediation. However none of them have been proved to be superior to control methods and the results require further testing.
In an investigation it was discovered that an educational program which taught students how to identify their own impulsive or inattentive behavior was more effective than waiting for lists to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. Another study showed that a daily report card improved academic performance for children with ADHD. Behavioral parent training has been proven to be effective in decreasing negative parenting behaviors and increasing positive family functioning, however the effects of self-directed as opposed to therapist-led training for parents requires further investigation.
Adolescents with ADHD are at a high risk of impaired driving outcomes, including crashes that result in injury or death. The intensive summer "bridge" program has been proven to enhance the driving abilities of adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions proven to be effective include central executive training and working memory training.
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty maintaining a stable job or relationships. Poor organizational skills, inability to complete or follow through on tasks and inattention and impulsive behavior can leave coworkers and family members unhappy. Psychotherapy that teaches patients how to improve their communication skills can help them deal with these challenges. The same can be said for couples counseling, which teaches partners how to deal with each other's issues when they occur.
Counseling
Although medication is effective for a lot of people with ADHD however, it isn't always sufficient to treat the symptoms in all cases. Medicines can be unpredictably effective and cause adverse effects that affect some individuals in a variety of ways. Therefore, counseling is an essential part of the overall treatment plan. Counseling can help individuals find better methods to manage their emotions, improve their relationships, build self-esteem and learn strategies to cope with the unique challenges associated with living with ADHD.
The efficacy of psychosocial treatment for ADHD has been proven through numerous controlled trials that were randomized. Certain studies have shown that when the combination of therapy and medication is employed, both the parents and students' perceptions of academic functioning improves. Additionally, research has demonstrated that using a low dose of stimulant medication in combination with behavioral therapy improves both academic performance and classroom behavior when compared to a control group.
In a recent study, high school counselors received training on how to implement two brief homework and organization programs for ADHD students. The interventions were compared with an initial course of medication that was low dose. The results suggest that a continuous, multi-assignment randomized study could be a viable 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 education 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 drug to be considered should be stimulants (methylphenidate dexamphetamine, dexamphetamine or lisdexam) in the event that they are unable to take such drugs due to health conditions. In these cases the use of atomoxetine or guanfacine could be considered.
A thorough medical examination should be conducted to rule out any other conditions that may affect your learning and functioning, such as neurological disorders (such as epilepsy, Tourette's syndrome or cerebral palsy) and nutrition-related issues as well as substance use disorder (SUD), chronic illnesses like asthma and comorbid psychological disorders. If the medical history and examination aren't particularly remarkable the psychiatrist or psychologist may be able to diagnose ADHD using established diagnostic criteria, if they find no unusual findings.