Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD can impact a person's work, home life and relationships. Standard treatments include medication, skill training and psychological counseling.
adhd treatment for older adults (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved non-stimulant drug for adults with ADHD. It is safe and effective, as per research. Psychosocial interventions that focus on the comorbidities and organizational skills have a solid scientific basis particularly behavioral parent training (BPT). However, precision in psychosocial guidelines is a challenge to attain.
Medication
For many people with ADHD, a combination of medication and psychosocial treatment is the best way to manage their symptoms. Medical treatment has been proven to be very effective in improving symptoms of ADHD but it can take a few months for people to see the results. Talk to your doctor in the event that you're considering taking medication to improve your ADHD symptoms. Make sure that it's safe for you, and doesn't interfere with other medications you take.
People with ADHD may have trouble focus and concentration, regulating impulses, planning and completing tasks on time. These difficulties can affect school, work and social interactions. These problems can also make it difficult to relax and enjoy leisure activities.
The most effective treatment is medication. evidence-based treatment for ADHD. The use of medications can decrease or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions and they can greatly improve the quality of life. Fortunately, medications do not cause addiction and have an extremely low chance of being misused. People suffering from ADHD may benefit from stimulants, based on various studies. Those who cannot tolerate the adverse effects of stimulant medications can choose non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine (Strattera).
Medication is only part of the answer. A thorough assessment should include a detailed history of symptoms and a description of the effects of ADHD symptoms on a person's everyday functioning. It should also address whether the person suffers from any other comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety, that could affect the effectiveness of therapy and medications.
A medical examination will not usually reveal any signs of the disorder. However, a diagnosis is based upon clinical judgment, and the history of symptoms that began in the early years of childhood. In addition to a detailed interview, collateral information like medical records from schools and child health assessments can aid in diagnosing the condition.
Different psychosocial treatments for ADHD are available that include metacognition, cognitive rehabilitation, and working memory training. However, these do not appear to be superior to the pharmacotherapy method, and are not likely to have the same level of efficacy as a properly dosed medication. Patients are advised to begin with a lower dose of medication that is able to be combined with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people suffering from ADHD discover that talk therapy or psychotherapy can help enhance their lives. Some studies suggest that certain types of talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and relapse prevention therapy (RPT), can help to reduce symptoms of ADHD. Talk therapy is psychosocial treatment that involves sessions with a trained therapist or counselor. There are various types of talk therapy and the therapist you choose will depend on your goals and requirements.
Combining medication and psychotherapy is a popular method to treat adult ADHD. Studies have shown that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than any method alone. This approach is also recommended by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you manage ADHD symptoms and manage them. It can also teach you strategies to cope with issues in your work, relationships, and school life. Your therapist may suggest that you attend group, individual, or family therapy depending on your needs and goals.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of psychotherapy which can help people with ADHD to improve their self-esteem and functioning. CBT helps you identify negative thoughts and change them, which can impact your behavior and emotions. For example, CBT can teach you to alter your "all or nothing" thinking, which can cause people with ADHD to believe that they must perform everything flawlessly or not at all.
In a therapy session, your counselor listens to your story and asks questions to gain a better understanding of your thoughts and feelings. They will then provide you with advice based on their experience and research. You may also be given assignments, such as journaling or attempting a new activity. It is important to complete your homework as it will assist you in putting what have learned into action.
It's important to remember that seeking treatment is not a sign of weakness. It's a courageous choice to live the life you've always wanted. With the structure and support, as well as the skills that you acquire through psychotherapy, you will be able to reach your highest goals and ambitions.
Education
Education can be a beneficial tool for adults with ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, learn to organize tasks, and to learn to listen and speak to others. It can be beneficial to focus on teaching patients how to recognize symptoms and how these affect their behavior. This can be accomplished through individual sessions or in group therapy.
Research has proven that various psychosocial interventions can dramatically reduce problematic symptoms and improve the functioning of people with ADHD. Educational interventions can help improve academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Many cognitive and behavioral treatments have been proven to be effective. These include hypnotherapy as well as neurofeedback. Nevertheless, not all of them have been proven superior to alternatives. Further studies are needed to confirm the results.
In an investigation, it was found that a program of education that taught students how to identify their own impulsive or inattentive behavior was more effective than relying on a list to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. A daily report card for behavior was discovered to improve academic performance for children with ADHD in a different study. Training for parents to be more observant has been shown to be effective in reducing negative parenting behaviors and enhancing positive family functioning, but the impact of self-directed parenting training for parents versus therapist-led parenting needs further investigation.
Adolescents who have ADHD are at a greater risk chance of having impaired driving outcomes like crashes that cause injury or death. The intense summer "bridge" program has been proven to improve driving abilities in adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions have been found to be helpful, including central executive training and training for working memory.
Adults suffering from ADHD often have trouble maintaining stability in their jobs or relationships. Poor organizational skills, inability to complete or follow through on tasks, and impulsive and inattentive behavior can cause coworkers and family members angry. Psychotherapy that helps patients improve their communication skills can aid in overcoming these difficulties. Couples counseling teaches partners to deal with problems that arise.
Counseling
Although medications are beneficial for a significant number of people with ADHD, it is not always enough to eliminate all symptoms. The effects of medication can be unpredictable, and they can affect certain individuals in a different way. Counseling is therefore an important element of the overall treatment. Counseling can be used to assist people in learning to manage their emotions, develop relationships, and increase self-esteem.
The efficacy of psychosocial treatment for ADHD has been proven through multiple randomized controlled trials. In certain studies, academic performance of both the parents and students improved when a combination medication and behavioral therapy was used. Additionally, studies have demonstrated that using a low dose of stimulant medication in combination with behavioral therapy improves the behavior of students in class and their homework performance in comparison to a control.
In a recent study high school counselors received instruction on how to implement two short homework and organization programs for ADHD students. The two interventions were compared to an initial course of low dose medication. The results suggest that a sequential multi-assignment randomized study could be a viable method of bridging the gap between research findings and actual practice in school-based interventions for ADHD.
Before attempting to take medication, it is recommended that schools implement ADHD intervention that includes behavior management and parent education. A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions should be the primary option for treating adolescents and adults. For adults and adolescents the first drug to be considered should be stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamphetamine or lisdexamfetamine) as long as they are able to take these drugs due to health conditions. In these cases the use of atomoxetine or guanfacine could be considered.
A thorough medical examination must be performed to rule out any other conditions that may affect your functioning and learning, including neurological disorders (such as epilepsy, Tourette's syndrome or cerebral palsy) as well as nutrition issues and substance use disorders (SUD) chronic illnesses such as asthma and comorbid psychological disorders. If the exam and history are not revealing, a diagnosis of ADHD is made by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist using established diagnostic criteria.