Does Technology Make Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD In Adults Better Or Worse?
Evidence Based Treatment For ADHD in Adults
ADHD affects people in ways that affect their work, home life and relationships. The most common treatments are medication, skill training 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 low abuse potential. Psychosocial interventions that target organizational skills and comorbid conditions have a strong evidence base including BPT, which is a form of behavioral parent education (BPT). It is difficult to provide specific psychosocial guidelines.
Medication
For many people suffering from ADHD it is believed that a combination of medication and psychosocial treatment is the best approach to manage their symptoms. The use of medication has been proven to be very efficient in reducing symptoms of ADHD, but it can take some time for a person to see the results. If you are considering using medication to treat your ADHD symptoms, consult your doctor to ensure that it is safe for you and won't interfere with any other medication you're taking.
People with ADHD have trouble focusing and concentrating, regulating impulses making plans and accomplishing tasks on time. These issues can impact school, work and social relationships. They can also make it difficult to take pleasure in leisure activities and take time to relax.
The most effective treatment for ADHD is medication. They can reduce or eliminate the requirement for psychosocial interventions and can improve the quality of life. Fortunately, they don't create addiction and carry an extremely low risk of abuse. Numerous studies have proven that those with ADHD benefit from stimulants. Those who cannot tolerate the adverse effects of stimulant medications can choose non-stimulants such as atomoxetine (Strattera).
Medication is not the only answer. A thorough assessment should include a history of symptoms as well as a description of the impact of ADHD symptoms on the person's daily life. It is essential to determine if the patient is suffering from any co-morbid conditions such as anxiety or depression that could affect the response to medication and therapy.
A medical exam does typically not reveal any indications of the condition. The diagnosis is based on clinical judgement, and a history of symptoms that began in the earliest years of childhood. In addition to a detailed interview, other information such as school records and health assessments can aid in making a diagnosis.
There are a myriad of psychosocial therapies available for ADHD such as metacognition and cognitive remediation. These psychosocial treatments don't appear to be as effective as pharmacotherapy and are unlikely have the same effectiveness. Patients are advised to start with a lower dose of medication that can be paired with behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy
Many people suffering from ADHD find that psychotherapy, or talk therapy, helps to improve their lives. Some studies suggest that certain kinds of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Relapse prevention therapy (RPT), can help alleviate symptoms of ADHD. Talk adhd in adults symptoms and treatment is a psychosocial treatment which involves individual sessions with a trained therapist or counselor. Different types of talk therapy exist, and your choice of therapy should be based on your specific needs and goals.
A typical approach to treating adult ADHD is using a combination of medications and psychotherapy. Studies have shown that combining psychotherapy and medication is more effective than each approach alone. The National Institute of Mental Health also recommends this approach.
Psychotherapy, also known as psychotherapy, can aid you in managing your ADHD symptoms and learn coping skills. It can help you learn how to handle problems in your work, school and in your relationship. Your therapist might suggest that you attend individual, group or family therapy based on your needs and goals.
Cognitive behavior therapy is a type of psychotherapy that can assist people with ADHD to improve their self-esteem and performance. CBT helps you learn how to recognize and alter negative thoughts that can influence your mood and behavior. For example, CBT can teach you to alter your "all or nothing" thinking which can lead people with ADHD to believe that they must do everything flawlessly or not at all.
In a session your therapist will listen to your and ask questions to help you understand your thoughts and feelings. They will then provide you with suggestions based on their experience and research. They might also provide you with homework, such as journaling or trying something new. You should do your homework as it will aid you in putting what you have learned into action.
It's important to keep in mind that seeking treatment isn't an indication of weakness. It's a courageous choice to live the life you deserve. With the structure and support that you build through psychotherapy, you will be able to reach your highest goals and dreams.
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 how to communicate with other people. It is beneficial to teach patients how to recognize symptoms and how they affect their behavior. This can be done in a private session or group therapy.
Research has shown that a variety psychosocial interventions can reduce problematic symptoms in ADHD individuals and improve their performance. Educational interventions can help improve academic performance and self-reporting of ADHD symptoms. A variety of behavioral and cognitive therapies have been proven to be effective, such as hypnotherapy, neurofeedback, metacognitive learning, and cognitive remediation. However none of them have been proven to be superior to controls and the results need further replication.
In the course of a study, it was found that an educational program which taught students to recognize their own impulsive or inattentive behavior was more effective than waiting for lists to improve self-reported ADHD symptoms. A daily report card on behavior was discovered to improve academic performance of children suffering from ADHD in a separate study. It has been established that training for parents to be a behavioral one is effective in decreasing negative parental behavior and enhancing positive family function. However, the effects of self-directed versus therapist-led training are still being explored.
Adolescents with ADHD are at a high risk of impaired driving, such as accidents that cause injury or death. The intensive summer "bridge" programs have been shown to improve driving skills among 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 have difficulty maintaining stable relationships or jobs. Inability to complete tasks or complete them, poor organizational skills and inattention or impulsive behavior can make it difficult for colleagues, coworkers and family members. Psychotherapy that teaches patients how to improve communication skills can help them deal with these issues. Couples counseling helps partners manage issues that arise.
Counseling
While medications can be beneficial for many people suffering from ADHD it does not always eliminate the symptoms in all cases. The effects of medication can be unpredictable, and they can affect some people in different ways. For this reason, counseling is an important component of the overall treatment plan. Counseling can help people learn to manage their emotions, build relationships, and increase self-esteem.
Multiple randomized controlled studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of psychosocial therapy for ADHD. Some studies found that when a combination of behavioral therapy and medication is used, both parents and students' ratings of academic functioning improves. Additionally, studies have shown that the use of a low dose of stimulant medications in conjunction with behavioral therapy can improve classroom behavior and homework performance in comparison to a control.
In a recent study high school counselors were taught to implement two short homework and organizational interventions for students suffering from ADHD. The interventions were compared to an initial course of low dose medication. The results suggest that a sequential, multi-assignment, randomized trial may be an effective method of bridging the gap between research findings and practices in school-based programs for ADHD.
It is recommended that schools implement ADHD interventions that include behavior education and parental education, before trying medication. A combination of pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions should be the first line of treatment for adolescents and adults. The first medication for adolescents and adults should be stimulants, such methylphenidate or dexamphetamine, unless some other health conditions prohibit the use of these drugs. In such cases either atomoxetine, or guanfacine may be considered.
A thorough medical examination should be conducted to rule out any other disorders that might affect learning and performance, for example neurological disorders (such Tourette's Syndrome, epilepsy, or cerebral palsy), nutritional problems and substance abuse disorders (SUD) chronic illnesses like asthma, and other comorbid mental disorders. If the history and examination aren't particularly remarkable the psychiatrist or psychologist may be able to diagnose ADHD by using established diagnostic criteria, if they find nothing unusual.