Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can affect someone's work, home life and relationships. Standard treatments involve medication, skills training and psychological counseling.
Atomoxetine is also known as Strattera is the only FDA approved non-stimulant medication to treat adult ADHD. It is safe and effective, as per research. Psychosocial interventions that target organizational skills and comorbid conditions have a solid evidence base including the behavioral parent training (BPT). However, the precision of psychosocial guidelines is not easy to achieve.
Medication
Many people suffering from ADHD find that a combination of psychosocial therapy and medication is best for managing their symptoms. It can take a while before someone can see any improvement in their ADHD symptoms. If you're considering taking medication to help improve your ADHD symptoms, consult your doctor to confirm that it is safe for you and does not interfere with other medications you're taking.
People suffering from ADHD may have trouble concentrating and focusing, controlling impulses and planning tasks within the timeframe. continue reading this can impact on school, work, and social relationships. They can make it difficult for people to take time out and take time to relax.
Medicines are the most effective evidence-based treatment for ADHD. Medications can reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions, and they can greatly improve a person's quality of life. Fortunately, medication does not cause addiction and have the lowest risk of abuse. People suffering from ADHD can benefit from stimulants, as per various studies. Those who cannot tolerate the negative effects of stimulant medication can choose non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine (Strattera).
Treatment isn't the only option. signs of untreated adhd in adults should include a history of symptoms and a description of the impact of ADHD symptoms on the person's daily life. It should also address whether the person suffers from any other conditions that are comorbid, such as depression and anxiety, which may impact the response to therapy and medication.
Medical examinations usually do not reveal symptoms of the disorder, and a diagnosis is based upon clinical judgment, with an established evidence of symptoms starting from childhood onwards. A thorough interview may be helpful when combined with collateral information, like medical records from schools or child health assessments.
There are a myriad of psychosocial therapies available for ADHD that include metacognition and cognitive rehabilitation. These psychosocial treatments don't appear to be as effective as pharmacotherapy and are unlikely to have the same effectiveness. Patients are advised to start with a lower dose of medication that can be combined with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people suffering from ADHD discover that psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, helps to improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that certain kinds of therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can alleviate symptoms of ADHD. Talk therapy is a form of psychosocial treatment that involves one-on-one sessions with a professional counselor or therapist. Different types of therapy are available, and your choice of therapist should be based on your needs and goals.
A common method of treating adult ADHD is using a combination of medications and psychotherapy. Studies have demonstrated that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than either one by itself. The National Institute of Mental Health also recommends this method.
Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you learn to manage ADHD symptoms and manage these symptoms. It can provide strategies to deal with issues in your relationships, work and school. Your therapist may suggest you attend individual, group or family therapy, based on your goals and needs.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that can help people suffering from ADHD improve their self-esteem and functioning. CBT teaches you how to recognize negative thoughts and alter them, which can impact your emotions and behavior. CBT for instance can help you to overcome "all-or-nothing" thinking which can make people with ADHD believe they must do everything perfectly or not at all.
During a therapy session, your therapist listens to you and asks questions to gain a better understanding of your thoughts and emotions. They will then give you tips based on their experiences and research. You might also be provided with homework, such as journaling or attempting a new activity. It is important to complete your homework because it will assist you in putting what have learned into practice.
It's important to keep in mind that seeking treatment isn't a sign of weakness. In fact, it's an empowering step toward living the life you've always wanted. With the structure, support, and skills that you build through psychotherapy, you can attain your most important goals and ambitions.
Education
Education can be an effective tool to help adults with ADHD. Education may include classes that teach organizational skills, methods to prepare for tasks, and methods to improve the way someone speaks and listens to other people. It is beneficial to teach patients how to recognize symptoms and how they impact their behavior. This can be accomplished through individual sessions or in group therapy.
Research has proven that a variety psychosocial interventions can reduce problematic symptoms in ADHD people and improve their performance. Educational interventions can improve academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Many behavioral and cognitive therapies have been shown to be effective. They include hypnotherapy and neurofeedback. However none of them have been proven to be superior over alternatives. Further replication is needed to verify the results.
In the course of a study it was found that an educational program which taught students to recognize their own impulsive or inattentive behavior was more effective than waiting on an inventory to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. Another study found that a daily behavior report card enhanced academic performance in children with ADHD. It has been proven that behavioral parenting training can be effective in reducing negative parental behavior and enhancing positive family functioning. However, the results of therapist-led versus self-directed training need further exploration.
Adolescents with ADHD are at a greater risk risk of impaired driving outcomes like crashes that result in injuries or even death. Intense summer "bridge" programs have been proven to enhance driving skills in adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions have also been found to be helpful such as central executive training and training for working memory.
Adults with ADHD often have trouble maintaining stability in their jobs or relationships. Poor organizational skills, inability to complete or complete tasks as well as impulsive and indifferent behavior can leave coworkers and family members frustrated. 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 that teaches partners how to deal with each other's problems when they occur.
Counseling
While medication is effective for a large number of people suffering from ADHD but it is not always sufficient to reduce the severity of symptoms. The effects of medication can be unpredictable, and they can affect some individuals in a different way. Counseling is therefore an important part of the treatment plan. Counseling can be used to assist people in learning to better manage their emotions, develop relationships, and increase self-esteem.
The efficacy of psychosocial treatment for ADHD has been proven in several controlled studies that are randomized. In some studies, the academic performance of both students and parents improved when a combination medication and behavioral therapy was utilized. In addition, studies have demonstrated that using a low dose of stimulant medications in conjunction with behavioral therapy improves the behavior of students in class and their homework performance when compared to a control group.
In a recent study high school counselors were taught to implement two short homework and organizational interventions for students suffering from ADHD. The two interventions were compared to an initial course of medication that was low dose. The results suggest that a sequential, multi-assignment, randomized trial may be an effective method to bridge the gap between research findings and actual practice in school-based interventions for ADHD.
It is recommended that schools implement ADHD interventions, which include behavior training and education for parents, prior to trying medications. For adults and adolescents, the first treatment should consist of a combination of psychosocial interventions and pharmacotherapy. For adults and adolescents, the first medication should be stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamphetamine or lisdexamfetamine) as long as they are able to take such medications due to any other health issues. In such cases either atomoxetine, or guanfacine may be considered.
A thorough medical exam should be performed to determine if there are any other conditions that may interfere with learning and functioning, including neurological disorders (such Tourette's Syndrome, epilepsy or cerebral palsy) as well as nutritional issues, substance abuse disorder (SUD) chronic illnesses like asthma, and other comorbid mental disorders. If the examination and history are unremarkable the diagnosis of ADHD can be determined by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist using an established diagnostic criteria.