Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults

ADHD affects people in ways that impact their home, work and relationships. The most common treatments include medication, training in skills and psychological counseling.

Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved non-stimulant drug for adults with ADHD. Research shows that it is effective and has a low risk of abuse. Psychosocial interventions that address issues with organizational skills and comorbid disorders have a strong scientific basis, particularly behavioral parent training (BPT). It is difficult to give precise psychosocial guidelines.

Medication

Many people suffering from ADHD discover that a combination of psychosocial therapy and medication is best to treat their symptoms. It can take time for a person to notice any improvements in their ADHD symptoms. If you are considering using medication to treat your ADHD symptoms, talk to your doctor to make sure that it is suitable for you and won't interfere with other medications you are taking.

People with ADHD struggle with staying focused and concentrating, controlling their impulses making plans and accomplishing tasks in a timely manner. These difficulties can impact on work, school and social relationships. They can also make it difficult to enjoy leisure activities and unwind.

Medicines are the most effective evidence based treatment for adhd in adults-based treatment for ADHD. They can help reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions, and can significantly improve the quality of life. Fortunately, medications do not create addiction and carry an extremely low chance of being misused. People with ADHD can benefit from stimulants, based on various studies. Non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine or Strattera are available for those who cannot tolerate stimulant side effects.

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 a person's daily functioning. It is important to determine if the person suffers from any co-morbid disorders such as depression or anxiety that may affect the response to medication and therapy.

A medical exam does typically not reveal any indications of the condition. Instead, a diagnosis is based on clinical judgement, and a history of symptoms that began in the early years of childhood. In addition to a detailed interview, additional information such as medical records from schools and child health assessments can be useful in making a diagnosis.

There are many psychosocial treatments available for ADHD that include cognitive remediation and metacognition. However, none of these appear to be more effective than psychotherapy, and aren't likely to be as effective of effectiveness as a well-dosed medication. The more complex regimens are usually not adhered to, and patients are advised to begin with a lower dose of medication that can be easily combined with therapy for behavioral issues.

Psychotherapy

Many people with ADHD discover that talk therapy or psychotherapy can help them improve their life. Certain studies suggest that talking therapy, like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or Relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. Talk therapy is a kind of psychosocial treatment that involves one-on-one sessions with a professional counselor or therapist. Different modalities of talk therapy are available and your choice of therapy should be based on your needs and goals.

A typical approach to treating adult ADHD is to use the combination of medication and psychotherapy. Studies have shown that combining medication and psychotherapy is more effective than any method alone. This approach is also recommended by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you learn to cope with alternative adhd treatment for adults symptoms and manage the symptoms. It can teach you how to handle problems in your work, school, and relationship life. Based on your goals and needs, your therapist may recommend that you take part in individual or group therapy.

Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of psychotherapy which can help people with undiagnosed adhd in adults treatment to improve their self-esteem and functioning. CBT will help you recognize negative thoughts and modify them, which can impact your behavior and emotions. For instance, CBT can teach you to shift your "all or nothing" thinking that can cause people with ADHD to believe that they must do everything perfectly or even not at all.

During a session your 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 research and experience. They might also provide you with assignments, like journaling or trying something new. It's important to do the homework, as it will allow you to apply what you've learned.

It's important to keep in mind that seeking treatment does not necessarily mean you're weak. It's a bold move to live the life you deserve. With the structure and support, as well as the skills gained through psychotherapy, you will be able to reach your highest goals and dreams.

Education

Education can be a powerful tool for adults suffering from ADHD. It can be used to teach organizational skills, methods to prepare for work, and ways to improve the way someone speaks and listens to other people. It is beneficial to concentrate on teaching patients to recognize signs and how these affect their behavior. This can be done in individual sessions or in group therapy.

Research has demonstrated 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. A variety of behavioral and cognitive therapies have been shown to be efficient. These include hypnotherapy and neurofeedback. However, not all of them have been proven to be superior to the controls and the results require more research.

In an investigation it was discovered that a school program that taught students to recognize their own inattention or impulsive behavior was more effective than waiting on an inventory to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. Another study showed that a daily behavior report card helped improve academic performance of children suffering from ADHD. Training for parents to be more observant has been proven effective in reducing negative parenting behavior and promoting positive family functioning, however the impact of self-directed parenting training for parents versus therapist-led parenting needs further exploration.

Adolescents who have ADHD are at a higher danger of driving accidents that result from impaired thinking, such as crashes resulting in injuries or even death. The intensive summer "bridge" programs have been proven to enhance driving skills in adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions discovered to be beneficial include central executive training and working memory training.

Adults suffering from ADHD struggle to maintain stable jobs or relationships. Inability to manage their time as well as inability to complete or follow through on tasks, and impulsive and inattentive behavior can cause coworkers and family members frustrated. Psychotherapy that teaches patients to improve communication skills can help them overcome these issues. The same is true for couples counseling that assists partners in dealing with each other's issues when they occur.

Counseling

Although medication is effective for a large number of people with ADHD but it is not always sufficient to treat the severity of symptoms. The effects of medication can be unpredictable and they may affect some people differently. This is why counseling is an important component of the overall treatment plan. Counseling can help patients discover better ways to manage their emotions, improve relationships build self-esteem and develop strategies to deal with the unique challenges that come with living with ADHD.

Multiple randomized controlled studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of psychosocial treatment for ADHD. In certain studies, the academic performance of both the parents and students improved when a combination of medication and behavioral therapy was utilized. Additionally, research has demonstrated that using the use of a small dose of stimulant medications in conjunction with behavioral therapy improves both the behavior of students in class and their homework performance in comparison to a control.

In a recent study, high school counselors were taught to implement two brief homework and organization strategies for students suffering from ADHD. 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 implementation of school-based interventions for ADHD.

Before attempting medication, it is recommended that schools implement ADHD intervention which includes behavior education and education for parents. A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions should be the primary line of treatment for adults and adolescents. The first medication for adults and adolescents should be stimulants such as dexamphetamine or methylphenidate, unless some other health conditions prohibit them from taking these drugs. In such cases the use of atomoxetine or guanfacine could be considered.

A thorough medical exam should be performed to rule out any other disorders that may interfere with learning and performance, for example neurological disorders (such epilepsy, Tourette's Syndrome or cerebral palsy) or nutritional issues as well as substance abuse disorder (SUD), chronic diseases such as asthma, and comorbid mental disorders. If the examination and history are unremarkable and the diagnosis is not clear, ADHD can be made by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist using an established diagnostic criteria.