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.

adhd in adults untreated (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved non-stimulant drug for adults with ADHD. It is safe and effective, according to research. Psychosocial interventions addressing the comorbid disorder and organizational skills have a strong evidence base, particularly behavioral parent training (BPT). However, the precision of psychosocial guidelines is a challenge to achieve.

Medication

For many people suffering from ADHD, a combination of psychosocial treatment and medication is the best method to manage their symptoms. It may take some time for a person to notice any improvement in their ADHD symptoms. If you're considering using medication to treat your ADHD symptoms, consult your doctor to make sure that it is safe for you and will not interact with any other medications you're taking.

People suffering from ADHD might have difficulty staying focused and focused, directing impulses and planning tasks on time. These difficulties can affect the school, work and social interactions. These difficulties can also make it hard to relax and take advantage of leisure activities.

The most effective treatment for ADHD is medication. The use of medications can reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions and improve a person’s quality of life. It is good to know that medications aren't addicting and carry a low risk of abuse. People suffering from ADHD can benefit from stimulants, as per numerous studies. Non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine, also known as Strattera are available for those who are unable to tolerate stimulant adverse effects.

Treatment isn't the only answer. A thorough evaluation will include a detailed description of ADHD symptoms and the effects they have on daily functioning. It is important to determine if the individual has any co-morbid conditions such as anxiety or depression that may affect the response to medication and therapy.

A medical examination is not required to reveal any symptoms of the disorder, and a diagnosis is made by clinical judgment, based on an established history of symptoms that began in childhood onwards. A detailed interview can be beneficial when paired with other information, like school records or health assessments.

There are a variety of psychosocial treatments available for ADHD, including metacognition and cognitive remediation. These psychosocial treatments do not appear to be as effective as pharmacotherapy and are not likely to have the same effectiveness. Patients are advised to start with a lower dose of medication that is able to be combined with behavioral therapy.

Psychotherapy

Many people suffering from ADHD find that psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help to improve their lives. Some studies suggest that certain types of talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Relapse prevention therapy (RPT), can help reduce symptoms of ADHD. Talk therapy is a form of psychosocial treatment that involves one-on-one sessions with a professional counselor or therapist. There are many kinds of talk therapy, and the therapist you select will depend on your goals and preferences.

A typical approach to treating adult ADHD is to use a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Studies have proven that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than each approach 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 ADHD symptoms and manage the symptoms. It can teach you strategies for dealing with issues in your relationships, work and school. Based on your needs and goals your therapist might suggest that you participate in individual, family, or group therapy.

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that can assist people with ADHD improve their self-esteem and functioning. CBT helps you learn how to recognize and modify negative thoughts, which can influence your behavior and emotions. CBT for instance can help you learn to change "all-or-nothing" thinking that makes people with ADHD believe they must do everything perfectly or else not do anything at all.

During the course of a session the therapist will listen to your and ask questions to understand your thoughts and emotions. They will then provide you with advice based on their experience and research. You may also be given homework, such as journaling or trying a new activity. It is important to complete the homework, as it will allow you to practice what you've learned.

It's important to keep in mind that seeking treatment isn't an indication of weakness. In fact, it's a courageous step toward living the life you deserve. You can achieve your goals and dreams with the help of psychotherapy.

Education

Education can be a powerful tool to help adults with ADHD. Classes can be taught to improve communication skills, learn to organize tasks and to learn how to communicate with other people. Therapy that focuses on teaching the patient to recognize their symptoms and how they affect behavior could also be beneficial. This can be done in individual sessions or in group therapy.


Research has shown that a variety psychosocial interventions can reduce problematic symptoms in ADHD people and improve their functioning. These include educational interventions, which can improve academic achievement and self-report of ADHD symptoms. Various cognitive and behavior therapies have been proven to be efficient, including hypnotherapy metacognitive training, neurofeedback and cognitive remediation. Nevertheless, not all of them have been proven to be superior over the controls. Further studies are needed to verify the results.

In a study, a program that taught students to identify their own impulsive and inattentive behavior was found to be more effective than waitlist control program in improving self-report ADHD symptoms. Another study revealed that a daily behavior report card helped improve academic performance for children with ADHD. Behavioral parent training has been proven effective in reducing negative parenting behavior and promoting positive family functioning, however the impact of self-directed parenting versus therapist-led parental training needs further investigation.

Adolescents suffering from ADHD are at risk of impaired driving, such as crashes that result in injuries or even death. The intensive summer "bridge" program has been proven to improve driving skills in adolescents suffering from ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions found to be useful include central executive training and working memory training.

Adults suffering from ADHD have difficulty maintaining stable jobs or relationships. Inability to finish tasks or keep on track, poor organizational skills and uncontrollable or inattentive behavior can cause stress for colleagues, coworkers and family members. Psychotherapy that teaches patients to improve communication skills can help them overcome these challenges. This is also true for couples counseling which helps couples learn how to deal with each other's problems as they occur.

Counseling

Although medication is effective for a lot of people with ADHD, it is not always sufficient to treat all symptoms. The effects of medication are not always predictable, and they can affect certain people in different ways. Therefore, counseling is an important component of the overall treatment plan. Counseling can assist people in learning to manage their emotions, develop relationships, and improve self-esteem.

The effectiveness of psychosocial treatments 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 of medication and behavioral therapy was employed. Studies have also proven that a low dose stimulant medication coupled with behavioral therapy can improve both classroom behavior and homework performance when compared to a control group.

In a recent study high school counselors were instructed to implement two short homework and organization strategies for students with ADHD. 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 viable way to bridge the gap between research and practice in school-based intervention for ADHD.

Before attempting medication 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 line of treatment for adolescents and adults. The first medication for adults and adolescents should be stimulants, such dexamphetamine or methylphenidate, unless some other health conditions prohibit the use of these drugs. In these instances either atomoxetine, or guanfacine may be considered.

A thorough medical examination must be conducted to rule out any other conditions that may affect your learning and functioning, such as neurological disorders (such as epilepsy, Tourette's Syndrome, or cerebral palsy) as well as nutrition issues, substance use disorder (SUD) chronic illnesses like asthma, and comorbid psychological disorders. If the examination and history are unremarkable, a diagnosis of ADHD can be determined by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist using an established diagnostic criteria.