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Treatment of ADHD
Comprehensive Treatment Plan
Treatment for teenage ADHD
Treatment for adult ADHD
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Comprehensive Treatment Plan
One of the most effective tools to reduce ADHD symptoms is medication but only when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. A "comprehensive treatment plan" includes medical, psychological, educational, and social measures. It should involve advice and support to parents and teachers, and could, but does not need to, include specific psychological treatment (such as behavioural therapy or neuropsychological rehabilitation).
In their Clinical Practice Guideline of 2001, the American Academy of Paediatrics emphasised the use of stimulant medication and behaviour therapy to treat ADHD symptoms.
Behaviour therapy aims at modifying and improving the children's behaviour. It is usually implemented by training the parents and/ or teachers in specific techniques that improve behaviour, such as token reward systems and timeouts. Basically, the three principles of behaviour therapy are:
- Set specific goals
- Provide rewards and consequences
- Keep using the rewards and consequences for a sufficiently long time.
Along with behavioural therapy, a variety of changes in the child's home and school environment may also be applied. Such interventions aim at improving the child's study skills and behaviour in the classroom. The help of teachers is essential to implement such interventions. In addition, their feedback is generally very important for the follow-up and assessment of ADHD treatment. Yet the age of the child and the severity of his/ her symptoms play an important role in the effectiveness of these interventions and the benefit of working with education specialists.
Other therapies that may be beneficial to the child with ADHD and his/her family include:
- Family therapy, which can help parents and siblings deal with the stress of living with someone who has ADHD.
- Social skills training, which helps the child learn to be less aggressive and impulsive, manage anger, and behave in a more socially acceptable or appropriate way.
- Support groups, which can offer adults and children with ADHD and their parents a network of social support, information and education.
In any case, treating ADHD requires a close cooperation between the family, the teachers, and all healthcare professionals that are involved.
Treatment for teenage ADHD
Adolescents with ADHD often feel misunderstood by their parents, teachers and, in some cases, even by their friends. Parents often interpret their teenage child's behaviour as malicious, fuelling negative reactions and increasing conflict. Parent interaction and response will affect the adolescent's outlook and self-esteem considerably and it is important for parents not to set unreasonable expectations for their child and ensure they try to understand their child's behaviour and encourage communication.
Teenagers who have difficulties in school, with friends, or have ongoing negative thoughts about themselves may benefit from an evaluation. Treatment, including psychological counselling and/or medication, may help address difficulties with concentration and attention span. Counselling can also help address emotional and social issues. Family therapy may also be useful to help the family finding harmony and stability at home (again). Parents may also benefit from a support group to share their feeling and emotions.
Treatment for adult ADHD
A treatment plan that combines medication, education, behavioural, and psychosocial treatments is thought to be the most effective approach in adults with ADHD.
Studies have found that about 58% of adults with ADHD report a better ability to focus and less hyperactivity and impulsivity when taking stimulant medications.
Although the research on psychosocial treatment of adult ADHD is limited, several studies suggest that counselling that is focused on support and education can be an effective treatment. Just as there is no single test to diagnose ADHD, no single treatment approach is right for everyone. A treatment plan should be tailored to the needs of the individual. Adults with ADHD may benefit from help with behavioural, social, academic, job-related, or relationship concerns. They may also benefit from job counselling, time management and organizational assistance, coaching, academic or workplace accommodations, and behaviour management strategies.
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