Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can impact a person's home life, work and relationships. Standard treatments involve medication, training in skills and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine is also referred to as Strattera is the sole FDA approved non-stimulant medication for use to treat adult ADHD. It is safe and effective, according to research. Psychosocial interventions to improve organizational skills and comorbid disorders have a strong scientific basis including behavioral parent training (BPT). However, precision in psychosocial guidelines is difficult to attain.
Medication
For many people suffering from ADHD the combination of medication and psychosocial treatment is the best method to manage their symptoms. Medical treatment has been proven to be extremely effective in reducing symptoms of ADHD, but it can take a while for a person to see the results. Consult your doctor when you're thinking of taking medication to improve your ADHD symptoms. Be sure that the medication is safe for you, and that it won't interact with other medications that you take.
People with ADHD have trouble focusing and concentrating, controlling their impulses planning and finishing tasks on time. These issues can have a negative impact on work, school and social relationships. These difficulties can also make it hard to relax and take pleasure in leisure activities.
Medications are the most effective treatments based on scientific evidence 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. Fortunately, medications are not addicting and carry a low risk of abuse. People suffering from ADHD are able to benefit from stimulants, as per various studies. Non-stimulant medicines like atomoxetine, also known as Strattera, are available for those who are unable to tolerate stimulant side effects.
The medication is just one part of the solution. A thorough assessment should include a detailed description of ADHD symptoms and the effects they have on daily functioning. It should also be able to identify if the person has any other comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety, which could affect the effectiveness of treatment and medications.
Medical examination usually does not reveal symptoms of the disorder, and a diagnosis is made on clinical judgement, with an established evidence of symptoms starting from childhood onwards. A detailed interview can be helpful when combined with collateral information, like medical records from schools or child health assessments.
There are many psychosocial treatments available for ADHD that include cognitive remediation and metacognition. These psychosocial treatments do not seem to be as effective as pharmacotherapy and are not likely to have the same level effectiveness. Complex regimens are not always adhered to, and patients are advised to start with a small dose of medication that is easily combined with the use of behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD discover that psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help them improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that certain types of therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can help to reduce symptoms of ADHD. Talk therapy is a form of psychosocial treatment which involves one-on-one sessions with a professional counselor or therapist. There are many kinds of talk therapy, and the therapist you select should be based upon your goals and requirements.
Combining psychotherapy and medication is a popular method to treat adult ADHD. Studies have proven that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than each method alone. 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 develop how to cope. It can provide strategies to deal with problems in your relationships, work and school. Your therapist might suggest that you attend individual, group or family therapy based on your goals and needs.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a kind of psychotherapy that helps people suffering from ADHD improve their functioning and self-esteem. CBT is a method of teaching you how to recognize and change negative thoughts that affect your emotions and behaviors. CBT, for example can help you learn to change "all-or-nothing" thinking which can make people with ADHD believe that they must be doing everything perfectly or else not do anything at all.
During a therapy session, your therapy therapist listens to you and asks questions to help you understand your thoughts and feelings. They will then give you suggestions based on their experience and research. They might also provide you with assignments, like journaling or trying something new. It's important to do the homework as it will help you practice what you've learned.
It's important to remember that seeking treatment does not mean that you're weak. In fact, it's a brave step towards living the life you've always wanted. You can reach your goals and ambitions with the help of psychotherapy.
Education
Education can be a powerful tool for adults with ADHD. It can be used to teach organizational skills, how to prepare for work, and ways to improve the way one speaks and listens to others. Therapy that focuses on teaching the patient to identify their symptoms and how they affect behavior could also be beneficial. This can be done either in a group or individual therapy.
Research has shown 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. Various cognitive and behavior therapies have been proven to be effective, such as hypnotherapy, metacognitive training, neurofeedback and cognitive remediation. However none of them have been proved to be superior to the controls and the results require more research.
In a study it was discovered that a program of education that taught students to recognize their own inattention or impulsive behavior was more effective than waiting on a list to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. Another study revealed that a daily behavior report card enhanced academic performance of children suffering from ADHD. Training for parents to be more observant has been proven to be effective in reducing negative parenting behavior and promoting positive family functioning, however the effect of self-directed training for parents versus therapist-led parenting needs further investigation.
Adolescents suffering from ADHD are at high risk of having impaired driving, such as crashes that result in injury or death. The intensive summer "bridge" programs have been shown to improve driving abilities in adolescents suffering from ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions have been found to be helpful, including central executive training and training for working memory.
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently have difficulty maintaining stability in their jobs or relationships. Inability to complete tasks or keep on track in a timely manner, lack of organizational skills and uncontrollable or inattentive behavior can cause stress for colleagues, family members and coworkers. members. Psychotherapy that assists patients in improving their communication skills can help manage these issues. The same is true for couples counseling which teaches partners how to deal with each other's problems as they arise.
Counseling
While medications can be beneficial for many people suffering from ADHD it does not always alleviate the symptoms in all cases. Medicines can be unpredictably effective and can cause side effects that impact some individuals in a variety of ways. Therefore, counseling is an essential part of the overall treatment plan. untreated adhd in adults can help patients discover 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 effectiveness of psychosocial therapies for ADHD has been demonstrated in numerous controlled trials that were randomized. In certain studies, academic functioning of both parents and students improved when a combination medication and behavioral therapy was used. Studies have also demonstrated that the use of a low dose stimulant combined with a behavioral therapy program improved classroom behavior and homework performance when compared to a comparison group.
In a recent research, high school counselors received training on how to implement two brief homework and organization programs for ADHD students. The interventions were compared to an initial course low dose medication. The results indicate that a sequential, multiple assignment trial that is randomized could be an effective way to bridge the gap between research and practice in school-based intervention for ADHD.
Before attempting medication, it is recommended that schools implement ADHD intervention that includes behavior management and education for parents. For adolescents and adults the initial treatment should consist of pharmacotherapy with psychosocial interventions. The first medications for adults and adolescents must be stimulants such as dexamphetamine or methylphenidate, except that some other health conditions prohibit the use of these drugs. In these situations, atomoxetine and guanfacine are options.
A thorough medical exam must be conducted to rule out any other disorders that might affect learning and functioning, such as neurological disorders (such epilepsy, Tourette's syndrome, or cerebral palsy) or nutritional issues, substance abuse disorder (SUD) chronic illnesses like asthma, and other comorbid mental disorders. If the history and exam are not revealing the diagnosis of ADHD is made by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist based on established diagnostic criteria.