Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults<br /><br />ADHD can affect someone's home life, work and relationships. Standard treatments include medications, skill training and psychological counseling.<br /><br />Atomoxetine, also known as Strattera is the only FDA approved non-stimulant medication for use to treat adult ADHD. It is safe and effective, based on research. Psychosocial interventions addressing the comorbid disorder and organizational skills have a strong evidence base and are particularly effective in training parents to be behavioral (BPT). It is challenging to provide precise psychosocial guidelines.<br /><br />Medication<br /><br /><br /><br />For many people suffering from ADHD, a combination of medication and psychosocial treatment is the best method to manage their symptoms. Medication has been shown to be extremely efficient in reducing symptoms of ADHD however, it may take a while for a person to see the results. Consult your physician in the event that you're considering taking medication to help improve your ADHD symptoms. Be sure that the medication is safe for you, and doesn't interfere with other medications that you take.<br /><br />People suffering from ADHD struggle with staying focused and concentrating, regulating impulses, making plans and completing tasks in a timely manner. These difficulties can affect work, school and social relationships. They can also make it difficult to enjoy leisure activities and unwind.<br /><br />The most effective treatment is medication. treatment based on research-based evidence for ADHD. They can help reduce or eliminate the need for psychosocial interventions, and they can dramatically improve a person's quality of life. It is good to know that medications aren't addictive and they have very low risks of misuse. People with ADHD can benefit from stimulants, based on several studies. Non-stimulant medicines like atomoxetine or Strattera are available to those who cannot tolerate stimulant adverse effects.<br /><br />Medication is not the answer. A thorough evaluation should include a detailed history of symptoms as well as a description of the impact of ADHD symptoms on a person's everyday functioning. It is essential to determine if the individual suffers from any co-morbid disorders such as depression or anxiety that could affect the response to medication and treatment.<br /><br />A medical examination does not usually reveal any signs of the disorder. The diagnosis is based upon clinical judgement, and the history of symptoms that started in the early years of childhood. In addition to a detailed interview, additional information such as school records and health assessments can be useful in establishing a diagnosis.<br /><br />Various psychosocial treatments for ADHD are available, including metacognition, cognitive rehabilitation, and working memory training. However, these do not appear to be more effective than the pharmacotherapy method, and are not likely to be as effective of effectiveness as a well-dosed medication. Patients are advised to start with a low dose medication that is able to be combined with behavioral therapy.<br /><br />Psychotherapy<br /><br />Many people suffering from ADHD find that psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, helps them improve their lives. Certain studies suggest that talking therapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or Relapse prevention therapy (RPT) can reduce ADHD symptoms. Talk therapy is a type of psychosocial treatment that involves one-on-one sessions with a trained counselor or therapist. Different modalities of talk therapy exist and the choice of therapy should be based on your needs and goals.<br /><br />Combining medication and psychotherapy is a common way to treat adult ADHD. Studies have proven that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than any method by itself. This approach is also recommended by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).<br /><br />Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help you manage your ADHD symptoms and help you develop strategies for coping. It can teach you strategies for dealing with problems in your relationships, work, and school life. Your therapist may suggest you attend individual, group or family therapy, based on your goals and needs.<br /><br />Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps people with ADHD improve their functioning and self-esteem. CBT is a method of teaching you how to recognize and change negative thoughts, which can influence your mood and behavior. For instance, CBT can teach you to alter your "all or nothing" thinking that can cause people with ADHD to believe that they must do everything perfectly or even not at all.<br /><br />In a therapy session your therapist listens to you and asks questions to better understand your thoughts and emotions. The therapist will then offer advice based on their knowledge and experience. You might also be provided with assignments, such as journaling or trying a new activity. It's important to do the homework, as it will allow you to practice what you've learned.<br /><br />It's important to keep in mind that seeking treatment is not a sign of weakness. In fact, it's a courageous step toward living the life you deserve. With the structure and support, as well as the skills that you build through psychotherapy, you can achieve your biggest goals and ambitions.<br /><br />Education<br /><br />Education can be an effective tool for adults with ADHD. Education may include classes that teach organization skills, how to prepare for work, and ways to improve the way someone speaks and listens to others. Therapy that focuses on teaching the patient to recognize their symptoms and how they impact their behavior can also be helpful. This can be accomplished through individual sessions or through group therapy.<br /><br />Research has shown that a variety of psychosocial interventions can dramatically reduce symptoms that cause problems and improve functioning in individuals with ADHD. Educational interventions can enhance academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. A variety of behavioral and cognitive therapies have been proven to be effective. They include hypnotherapy and neurofeedback. Nevertheless they are not all have been proven to be superior to the controls. Further replication is needed to verify the results.<br /><br />In the course of a study, a program that taught students to identify their own inattention and impulsive behaviors was found to be more effective than waitlist control for improving self-report of ADHD symptoms. Another study revealed that a daily report card helped improve academic performance in children with ADHD. It has been proven that behavioral parent training can be effective in reducing negative parental behaviors and increasing positive family functioning. However, <a href="https://www.iampsychiatry.com/adult-adhd-treatment">what happens if adhd is left untreated in adults</a> of therapist-led versus self-directed training require further investigation.<br /><br />Adolescents who have ADHD are at a greater risk risk of impaired driving outcomes like crashes that result in injury or death. Intensive summer "bridge" programs have been shown to improve driving skills in adolescents with ADHD. Other psychosocial interventions proven to be effective include central executive training and working memory training.<br /><br />Adults with ADHD typically have trouble keeping an enduring job or relationship. Inability to finish tasks or follow through poor organizational skills, impulsive or inattentive behaviors can strain the patience of colleagues, coworkers and family members. Psychotherapy that teaches patients how to improve their communication skills can help them manage these difficulties. Couples counseling can help partners deal with problems that arise.<br /><br />Counseling<br /><br />While medication is beneficial for many people suffering from ADHD it does not always reduce the symptoms in all cases. Medicines can be unpredictably effective and cause negative side effects that affect certain individuals in a variety of ways. Counseling is therefore an essential component of the treatment plan. Counseling can be used to assist people in learning to better manage their emotions, establish relationships, and improve self-esteem.<br /><br />The effectiveness of psychosocial therapies for ADHD has been proven in multiple randomized controlled trials. Some studies found that when the combination of behavioral therapy and medication is used, both student and parent-report of academic performance improves. Studies have also shown that medications that are low doses of stimulant combined with behavioral therapy improved the behavior of students in class as well as the performance on homework when compared with a comparably group.<br /><br />In a recent study high school counselors were trained on how to implement two brief 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, multiple assignment randomized trial could be an effective method to bridge the gap between research and practice in school-based treatment for ADHD.<br /><br />It is recommended that schools implement ADHD interventions, which include behavior training and parental education, before trying medications. For adults and adolescents, the first treatment should consist of psychosocial interventions and pharmacotherapy. For adults and adolescents the first drug to be considered should be stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamphetamine or lisdexamfetamine) in the event that they are unable to take these medications due to any other health issues. In these cases the use of atomoxetine or guanfacine could be considered.<br /><br />A thorough medical exam should be performed to rule out any other conditions that can interfere with learning and functioning, including neurological disorders (such as epilepsy, Tourette's syndrome or cerebral palsy) as well as nutrition issues as well as substance use disorder (SUD) chronic illnesses like asthma and comorbid psychological disorders. If the examination and history are unremarkable and the diagnosis is not clear, ADHD can be determined by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist based on established diagnostic criteria.<br /><br />