Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can impact a person's work, home life and relationships. more.. include medication, training in skills and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine, also known as Strattera is the sole FDA approved non-stimulant medication that is approved to treat adult ADHD. Studies have proven that it is effective and has low abuse potential. Psychosocial interventions that address the comorbidities and organizational skills have a strong evidence base particularly the behavioral parent training (BPT). However, precision in psychosocial guidelines is a challenge to achieve.
Medication
Many people with ADHD are able to determine that a mix of psychosocial therapy and medication is the best to manage their symptoms. It can take a while for a person to notice any improvement in their ADHD symptoms. Consult your doctor when you're thinking of taking medication to improve your ADHD symptoms. Make sure it's safe for you and doesn't interfere with other medications you take.
People with ADHD have difficulty with focusing and concentrating, controlling impulses planning and completing tasks in a timely manner. These issues can have a negative impact on school, work and social relationships. They can make it difficult for people to take time out and unwind.
Medications are the most effective treatments based on scientific evidence for ADHD. They can reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions and improve the quality of living. Fortunately, medications are not addictive and they have the lowest risk of misuse. Several studies have shown that people suffering from ADHD benefit from the use of stimulants. Those who cannot tolerate the adverse effects of stimulant medications may opt for non-stimulants like atomoxetine (Strattera).
Medication is only part of the answer. A thorough evaluation should include a detailed history of symptoms as well as a description of the effects of ADHD symptoms on the person's daily life. It is important to determine if the individual suffers from any co-morbid disorders like anxiety or depression which could impact the response to medication and therapy.
Medical examination usually does not show symptoms of the disorder, and a diagnosis is made upon clinical judgment, with an evident history of symptoms that began in the age of three to. In addition to a detailed interview, collateral information such as school records and health assessments can be helpful in diagnosing the condition.
There are a myriad of psychosocial therapies available for ADHD that include metacognition and cognitive rehabilitation. However, they do not appear to be superior to the pharmacotherapy method, and are not likely to achieve the same level of efficacy as a properly dosed medication. Complex regimens are not always followed and patients are advised to start with a lower dose of medication that can be easily mixed with the use of behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD discover that therapy or psychotherapy can help them enhance their lives. Some studies suggest that certain forms of talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Relapse prevention therapy (RPT), can help alleviate symptoms of ADHD. Talk therapy is a psychosocial treatment that involves sessions with a professional therapist or counselor. Different kinds of talk therapy are available and the choice of therapy should be based on your needs and goals.
Combining psychotherapy and medication is a popular method to treat adult ADHD. Studies have proven that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than either approach alone. 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 develop strategies for coping. It can teach you strategies to cope with difficulties in your relationships, work and school. Your therapist may suggest that you attend individual, group or family therapy based on your goals and requirements.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a type of psychotherapy which can help adults with ADHD to boost their self-esteem and functioning. CBT teaches you how to recognize negative thoughts and alter them, which can affect 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 not at all.
During a session the therapist will listen to your and ask questions to better understand your thoughts and feelings. The therapist will then offer you advice based upon their knowledge and experience. They may also assign you homework, such as journaling or trying something new. It's important to do homework because it will help you practice what you've learned.
It's important to keep in mind that seeking treatment is not an indication of weakness. In fact, it's a courageous step toward living the life you've always wanted. With the structure and support, as well as the skills that you build through psychotherapy, you will be able to reach your highest goals and ambitions.
Education
Education can be a powerful method for adults suffering from ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, learn how to organize tasks, and to learn to talk and listen to other people. Therapy that focuses on teaching the patient to identify their symptoms and how they impact their behavior can also be helpful. This can be done in individual sessions or in group therapy.
Research has demonstrated that many psychosocial interventions can dramatically reduce the symptoms of ADHD and improve performance in people with ADHD. Educational interventions can improve academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Different behavioral and cognitive treatments have been proven to be efficient, including hypnotherapy neurofeedback, metacognitive training, and cognitive remediation. However, not all of them have been proved to be superior to the controls and the results require further replication.
In a study, a program that taught students to recognize their own impulsive and inattentive behavior was discovered to be more effective than waitlist control in improving self-report of ADHD symptoms. Another study revealed that a daily behavioral report card helped improve academic performance for children with ADHD. It has been demonstrated that behavioral parent training can be effective in reducing negative parental behaviors and increasing positive family function. However, the effects of therapist-led versus self-directed training are still being explored.
Adolescents who have ADHD are at a greater risk danger of driving accidents that result from impaired thinking, such as crashes resulting in injuries or even death. The intense summer "bridge" program has been shown to improve the driving abilities of adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions have been proven to be beneficial including central executive training and training for working memory.
Adults with ADHD have difficulty maintaining stable relationships or jobs. Inability to finish tasks or keep on track in a timely manner, lack of organizational skills and inattention or impulsive behavior can strain the patience of colleagues, coworkers and family members. Psychotherapy that teaches patients to improve communication skills can help them deal with these issues. Couples counseling can help partners manage issues that arise.
Counseling
While medication can be beneficial for a lot of people with ADHD it does not always alleviate all symptoms. Medications can be unpredictable and trigger side effects that impact some people in different ways. Counseling is therefore an important part of the overall treatment. Counseling can assist people in learning to better manage their emotions, establish relationships, and boost self-esteem.
Multiple studies that have been randomized controlled have demonstrated the effectiveness of psychosocial treatment for ADHD. Some studies found that when the combination of behavioral therapy and medication is employed, both the student and parent-report of academic performance improves. Studies have also demonstrated that the use of a low dose stimulant combined with a behavioral therapy program improved both classroom behavior and homework performance when compared to a comparison group.
In a recent study, high school counselors were trained on how to implement two short homework and organization interventions with ADHD students. These interventions were compared with an initial course of low dose medication. The results suggest that a sequential, multi-assignment, randomized trial may be a successful method to bridge the gap between research findings and actual practices in school-based programs for ADHD.
It is recommended that schools implement ADHD interventions that include behavior education and parental education, before trying medication. A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions should be the primary option for treating adolescents and adults. The first treatment for adolescents and adults should be stimulants, such dexamphetamine or methylphenidate, except that some other health conditions prohibit them from taking these drugs. In these cases the two options are atomoxetine and Guanfacine. alternatives.
A thorough medical exam must be performed to determine the presence of any other disorder that may interfere with learning and performance, for example neurological disorders (such epilepsy, Tourette's Syndrome or cerebral palsy), nutritional problems and substance abuse disorders (SUD) chronic diseases such as asthma, and comorbid mental disorders. If the examination and history are not significant, a diagnosis of ADHD can be made by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist using an established diagnostic criteria.