Why We Why We Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD In Adults (And You Should, Too!)

Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults

ADHD affects people in ways that impact their work, home life and relationships. Standard treatments include medication, skill-training and psychological counseling.

Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the only FDA-approved non-stimulant drug for adult ADHD. It is safe and effective, according to research. Psychosocial interventions addressing the comorbid disorder and organizational skills have a strong evidence base including behavioral parent training (BPT). It is difficult to provide specific psychosocial guidelines.

Medication

For many people suffering from ADHD the combination of medication and psychosocial treatment is the best method to manage their symptoms. It may take some time for a person to notice any improvements in their ADHD symptoms. If you're thinking of taking medication to improve your ADHD symptoms, talk to your doctor to confirm that it is safe for you and won't interfere with other medications you are taking.

People with ADHD might have difficulty focus and concentration, regulating impulses and planning tasks within the timeframe. These difficulties can affect school, work and social interactions. These problems can also make it hard to relax and take pleasure in leisure activities.

Medications are the most effective treatment based on research-based evidence for ADHD. The use of medications can decrease or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions, and can significantly improve the quality of life. The good news is that medications aren't addictive and they have low risk of abuse. People suffering from ADHD can benefit from stimulants, as per various studies. People who are unable to tolerate the adverse effects of stimulant medications can choose non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine (Strattera).

Treatment isn't the only answer. A thorough assessment should include a history of symptoms as well as a description of the effects of ADHD symptoms on a person's everyday functioning. It should also address whether the person has any other conditions that are comorbid, such as depression and anxiety, that could affect the response to treatment and medications.

A medical exam does typically not reveal any indications of the disorder. The diagnosis is based on clinical judgment and the history of symptoms that began in the earliest years of childhood. In addition to a thorough interview, collateral information like school records and health assessments can aid in making a diagnosis.

Various psychosocial treatments for ADHD are available such as metacognition, cognitive rehabilitation, and working memory training. However, none of these seem to be superior to pharmacotherapy, and are unlikely to be as effective of effectiveness as a well-dosed medication. Patients are advised to start with a lower dose of medication that can be combined with behavioral therapy.

Psychotherapy

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

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

Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you learn to cope with ADHD symptoms and manage these symptoms. It can teach you how to handle problems in your work, school and in your relationship. Your therapist may suggest that you attend group, individual or family therapy based on your goals and requirements.

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that can help adults with ADHD improve their self-esteem and functioning. CBT helps you identify negative thoughts and change them, which may affect your emotions and behavior. CBT, for example can help you learn to change "all-or-nothing" thinking that makes people with ADHD to believe that they must do everything perfectly or not at all.

In a session, your therapist will listen to your and ask questions to better understand your thoughts and emotions. The therapist will then offer you suggestions based on their knowledge and experience. They might also provide you with homework assignments, such as journaling or trying something new. You should do your homework since it will help you put what you have learned into action.

It's important to keep in mind that seeking treatment does not mean that you're weak. In fact, it's a courageous step towards living the life you've always wanted. With the structure and support gained through psychotherapy, you can reach your highest goals and ambitions.

Education

Education can be a powerful tool to help adults with ADHD. Education may include classes that teach organization skills, how to prepare for work, and ways to improve the way one speaks and listens to others. Therapy that focuses on helping the patient to identify their symptoms and how they affect behavior can also be helpful. This can be accomplished in private sessions or through group therapy.

Research has proven that a variety of psychosocial interventions can reduce problematic symptoms in ADHD people and improve their functioning. Educational interventions can improve academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. Various cognitive and behavior therapies have been shown to be efficient, including hypnotherapy metacognitive training, neurofeedback and cognitive remediation. However, not all of them have been proven to be superior to controls. Further studies are needed to confirm the results.

In one study, an educational program that taught students to identify their own inattention and impulsive behaviors was found to be more effective than waitlist control for improving self-reports of ADHD symptoms. A daily behavior report card was found to improve academic performance of children suffering from ADHD in another study. It has been established that behavioral parenting training is effective in decreasing negative parental behavior and enhancing positive family functioning. However, the effects of therapist-led and self-directed training are still being explored.

Adolescents who suffer from ADHD are at risk of having impaired driving outcomes, including crashes that cause injuries or even death. The intensive summer "bridge" program has been proven to improve driving abilities in adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions discovered to be beneficial include central executive training and working memory training.

Adults suffering from ADHD typically have trouble keeping stability in their jobs or relationships. Inability to manage their time and inability to finish or follow through on tasks, and impulsive and inattentive behavior can cause coworkers and family members angry. Psychotherapy that helps patients improve communication skills can help them overcome these difficulties. The same can be said for couples counseling that assists partners in dealing with each other's problems as they arise.

Counseling

While medications can be beneficial for many people suffering from ADHD however, it is not always able to reduce all symptoms. Medications can be unpredictable and cause side effects that impact some people in various ways. Counseling is therefore an essential element of the overall treatment. Counseling can help patients discover better methods to manage their emotions, improve their relationships, build self-esteem and learn strategies to cope with the unique challenges that come with living with ADHD.

Numerous randomized controlled studies have proven the effectiveness of psychosocial therapy for ADHD. In certain studies, the academic functioning of both students and parents improved when a combination medication and behavioral therapy was employed. In addition, studies have demonstrated that using a low dose of stimulant medications in conjunction with behavioral therapy improves classroom behavior and homework performance when compared to a control group.

In  effects of untreated adhd in adults , high school counselors received instruction on how to implement two brief homework and organizational interventions for ADHD students. The two interventions were then compared with an initial course low dose medication. The results suggest that a continuous, multi-assignment, randomized trial may be a viable method to bridge the gap between research findings and practice in school-based interventions for ADHD.

Before taking any medication, it is recommended that schools implement ADHD intervention, which includes behavior training and education for parents. For adolescents and adults, the first treatment should consist of a combination of pharmacotherapy with psychosocial interventions. The first medications for adults and adolescents should be stimulants, such dexamphetamine or methylphenidate, except that some other health conditions prohibit the use of these drugs. In these instances either atomoxetine, or guanfacine may be considered.

A thorough medical exam should be performed to rule out any other conditions that could affect functioning and learning, including neurological disorders (such as epilepsy, Tourette's Syndrome, or cerebral palsy), nutrition problems and substance use disorders (SUD), chronic illnesses such as asthma and comorbid psychological disorders. If the examination and history are not remarkable A psychologist or psychiatrist may be able to diagnose ADHD using established diagnostic criteria if they discover nothing unusual.