Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can affect a person's home life, work and relationships. The most common treatments are medication, skill training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved, non-stimulant medication for adult ADHD. It is safe and effective, based on research. Psychosocial interventions to improve organizational skills and comorbid disorders have a solid evidence base, particularly behavioral parent training (BPT). However, accuracy in psychosocial guidelines is a challenge to attain.
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. It can take time for someone to see any improvements in their ADHD symptoms. Consult your physician when you're thinking of taking medication to improve your ADHD symptoms. Make sure that it's safe for you and that it won't interact with other medications you are taking.
People suffering from ADHD have difficulty with focusing and concentrating, regulating impulses making plans and finishing tasks in a timely manner. These issues can have a negative impact on school, work and social interactions. They can also make it difficult to enjoy leisure activities and take time to relax.
The most effective treatment for ADHD is medication. The use of medications can decrease or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions, and can significantly enhance a person's quality of life. It is good to know that medications aren't addictive and have a the lowest risk of abuse. People with ADHD can benefit from stimulants, as per numerous studies. Non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine, or Strattera are available to people who are unable to take stimulants' adverse effects.
The medication is just one part of the solution. A thorough evaluation will include a detailed description of ADHD symptoms and the effects they have on daily functioning. It should also address whether the person suffers from any comorbid conditions such as depression and anxiety, which may impact the response to treatment and medications.
Medical examinations usually do not reveal any signs of the disorder, and a diagnosis is based on clinical judgement, with an established history of symptoms from the age of three to. In addition to a detailed interview, collateral information like school records and child health assessments can aid in diagnosing the condition.
There are a myriad of psychosocial therapies available for ADHD such as cognitive remediation and metacognition. These psychosocial treatments don't seem to be as effective as pharmacotherapy, and are not likely to have the same level effectiveness. Patients are advised to begin with a low-dose medication that can be paired with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people with ADHD discover that psychotherapy, or talk therapy, helps to improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that talking therapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or relapse prevention treatment (RPT) can reduce ADHD symptoms. Talk therapy is a psychosocial treatment which involves individual sessions with a professional counselor or therapist. Different kinds of therapy are available and the choice of therapist should be based on your preferences and goals.
Combining psychotherapy and medication is a common method to treat adult ADHD. Studies have demonstrated that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than each method by itself. The National Institute of Mental Health also recommends this method.
Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you to cope with ADHD symptoms and manage them. adhd in adult women treatment can provide strategies to deal with difficulties in your work, relationships, and school life. Your therapist might suggest that you attend group, individual or family therapy based on your goals and needs.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that helps people with ADHD improve their functioning and self-esteem. CBT helps you recognize negative thoughts and modify them, which may affect your behavior and emotions. CBT, for example can help you learn to alter your "all-or-nothing" thinking which can make people with ADHD believe that they must be doing everything perfectly or not at all.
During a therapy session, your counselor listens to your story and asks questions to help you understand your thoughts and feelings. The therapist will then offer you suggestions based on their research and experience. You may also be given homework, like journaling or trying a different activity. It is important to complete the homework, as it will allow you to practice what you've learned.
It is important to remember that seeking treatment isn't an indication of weakness. In fact, it's an empowering step toward living the life you deserve. You can achieve your goals and dreams with the help of psychotherapy.
Education
Education can be an effective tool to help adults with ADHD. Education can include classes to teach organizational skills, how to prepare for tasks, and ways to improve the way one talks and listens to others. Therapy that focuses on teaching the patient to identify their symptoms and how they affect their behavior can also be helpful. This can be done in individual sessions or through group therapy.
Research has proven that a variety of psychosocial interventions can dramatically reduce symptoms that cause problems and improve the functioning of people with ADHD. These include educational programs, which can enhance academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Many cognitive and behavioral treatments have been proven to be efficient. These include hypnotherapy as well as neurofeedback. However none of these have been proven to be superior to controls and the results require more research.
In an investigation it was found that a school program that taught students how to identify their own impulsive or inattentive behavior was more effective than waiting on lists to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. Another study showed that a daily behavior report card improved academic performance in children with ADHD. Behavioral parent training has been proven to be effective in reducing negative parenting behaviors and increasing positive family functioning, but the impact of self-directed parenting versus therapist-led parental training needs further exploration.
Adolescents who have ADHD are at a high danger of driving accidents that result from impaired thinking, such as crashes resulting in injury or death. Intensive summer "bridge" programs have been shown to improve driving abilities in adolescents suffering from ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions have also been found to be helpful, including central executive training and training for working memory.
Adults with ADHD frequently have difficulty maintaining stability in their jobs or relationships. Inability to finish tasks or keep on track in a timely manner, lack of organizational skills and uncontrollable or inattentive behavior can make it difficult for colleagues, coworkers and family members. Psychotherapy that assists patients in improving their communication skills can aid in overcoming these difficulties. The same can be said for couples counseling that assists partners in dealing with each other's problems as they occur.
Counseling
Although medication is beneficial for a significant number of people with ADHD however, it isn't always enough to eliminate the symptoms in all cases. The adverse effects of medications can be unpredictable, and they may affect some individuals in a different way. For this reason, counseling is a crucial element of the overall treatment plan. Counseling can be used to help people learn to manage their emotions, develop relationships, and boost self-esteem.
The effectiveness of psychosocial therapies for ADHD has been proven in several controlled studies that are randomized. In some studies, the academic functioning of both parents and students improved when a combination of medication and behavioral therapy was utilized. Studies have also shown that a low dose stimulant medication combined with a behavioral therapy program improved classroom behavior as well as the performance on homework when compared to a comparison group.
In a recent study high school counselors received training on how to implement two short homework and organizational interventions for ADHD students. These interventions were compared with an initial course low dose medication. The results indicate that a sequential multiple assignment trial that is randomized could be a viable way to bridge the gap between research and practice in school-based treatment for ADHD.
Before attempting medication for ADHD, it is recommended that schools implement ADHD intervention that includes behavior management and parent education. A combination of psychosocial and pharmacotherapy interventions should be the primary option for treatment for adolescents and adults. The first medication for adults and adolescents must be stimulants, such dexamphetamine or methylphenidate, unless other health conditions prevent them from taking these medications. In these cases either atomoxetine, or guanfacine may be considered.
A thorough medical exam should be performed to determine the presence of any other disorder that might affect learning and performance, for example neurological disorders (such epilepsy, Tourette's syndrome or cerebral palsy), nutritional problems, substance abuse disorder (SUD) chronic diseases like asthma, and other comorbid mental disorders. If the history and examination are not remarkable A psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose ADHD using established diagnostic criteria if they find nothing unusual.