Common interventions for ADHD

Those who have ADHD may face some challenges in their lives, and it is often with the help of their families and friends that those challenges can be most easily and effectively overcome. In this article, we're going to be talking about interventions for ADHD and the science-backed treatments that are currently in use to improve symptoms and improve the likelihood of people with this condition seeing the outcomes they desire.

Interventions and treatments for ADHD

Treating ADHD may require a combination of behavioral and psychological interventions, with or without medication.

Research suggests that several types of therapy and behavior modification approaches can help children and adults with ADHD manage their emotions and improve their symptoms. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common forms:

Therapy

Psychotherapy, sometimes known as talk therapy or counseling, may involve meeting with a licensed mental health professional to talk about your feelings, thoughts, struggles, and experiences in a safe, nonjudgmental environment. More than half of people with ADHD also struggle with additional mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, conduct disorder, substance use disorders, and more. These are called comorbid or coexisting conditions, and they can make living with ADHD more challenging.

Therapy can help treat comorbid conditions as well as ADHD symptoms by encouraging you to explore any emotional or behavioral patterns that may be causing mental distress. Talking with an experienced therapist who specializes in ADHD can also be a great way of better understanding ADHD and yourself, as well as learning new coping skills for specific situations, such as time management, procrastination, socialization, and rule following.

Studies show that the most effective types of therapy for ADHD include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

As the name suggests, CBT can focus on changing irrational thoughts (cognition) that might be disruptive for folks with ADHD. According to CBT theory, changing negative or harmful thought patterns ultimately results in a change in behavior patterns. In fact, research has found that CBT for those with ADHD can result in higher self-esteem, increased happiness, and improved productivity.

Behavioral interventions

Also known as behavior modification therapy, this type of therapy has been shown to be very effective for children with ADHD who exhibit disruptive behavior. A behavioral treatment typically involves teaching the child alternative solutions and reinforcing positive behaviors through praise and reward while discouraging negative behaviors by setting clear boundaries and respectful consequences. Unlike punishment, which can exacerbate problem behaviors, positive reinforcement has been shown to help children with ADHD increase attention and learn. 

Caregivers can develop behavior therapy techniques through a modality known as parent training (also called behavioral parent training). According to CHADD’s National Resource Center on ADHD, behavioral interventions for children are “most effective when their parents learn strategies from therapists and use those strategies to manage their children’s behavior”. 

There are several different parent training programs available to help caregivers promote appropriate behaviors, including the Positive Parenting Program, Parent Management Training, and Parental Friendship Coaching. Such interventions are centered around teaching parents how to foster positive behavior, address severe ADHD symptoms, and communicate with their children effectively. A primary focus of these ADHD treatments is providing structure through useful resources and helpful parental instructions. Parents may learn, for example, the importance of keeping organizational tools on a child’s desk, or how to teach kids to put the due dates of their homework assignments in a planner. Behavioral treatments can not only reduce negative behavior but also decrease parental stress and lead to more constructive parent-child interactions.  

Other ADHD interventions

Aside from psychotherapy, interventions such as social training, support groups, school interventions, education, positive parenting classes (for parents of children with ADHD), and skills training can be excellent additions to an ADHD treatment plan. Some of the useful life skills that you or your child can learn through behavior training include:

• Time management
• Organization
• Independence
• Decision-making
• Confidence-building
• Mindfulness
• Listening skills
• Flexible thinking
• Self-control
• Planning and prioritizing
• Task initiation
• Attention
• Stress management
• Medication 

If you believe you or your child is living with ADHD, a healthcare professional can provide you with an evidence-based assessment to determine whether further testing, a diagnosis, and treatment are necessary.

Pharmaceutical options 

For some people, medication can be one of the most critical components of their treatment plan. ADHD medication can improve disruptive symptoms and help the person lead a more functional and comfortable life. The two main types of ADHD medications are central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and nonstimulants.

CNS stimulants

CNS Stimulants are the most frequently prescribed class of medication for ADHD, and they increase the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine that the brain releases. Since ADHD involves an impaired ability to naturally produce and process these brain hormones, medications that help supplement them have the potential help those with ADHD a great deal, though the exact type of medication and dosage needs to be worked out to achieve the greatest results.

Nonstimulant medications

When stimulant medications don’t work or produce unwanted side effects, doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. Sometimes, they are also used along with stimulants to improve their effect. Your doctor may be able to tell you which medication is most appropriate for you, if any. Non stimulants for ADHD have been shown to improve:

• Overall ADHD symptoms
• Behavioral and social issues
• Impulsivity and aggression
• Tics for ADHD patients with Tourette’s syndrome.
• Attention span
• Hyperactivity
• Severe insomnia

Medication side effects for adults and children with ADHD

All medications can have the potential to cause side effects, and ADHD drugs are not the exception. Doctors usually start by prescribing a low dose – especially if the individual is a child – and increasing it slowly if needed. Common ADHD medication side effects can include:

• Trouble sleeping or staying awake (sleeping too much or too little)
• Tics
• Mood swings
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Stomach aches
• Rebound effect (when the medication wears off and symptoms come back, sometimes stronger)

Long-term use of ADHD medications has also been associated with a range of side effects, including:

• Heart disease and heart failure
• Irregular heartbeat
• Chronic insomnia
• Seizures
• Medication misuse
• Increased aggression and hostility

It can be dangerous to stop taking prescription medications without consulting a doctor first, so be sure to let your doctor know if you think your ADHD medication may be causing unwanted side effects.

Natural supplements and lifestyle habits

Many people cannot or do not want to take medication for a variety of reasons, but there are also natural alternatives available for people with ADHD. Moreover, it has been shown that certain micronutrients, which are essential compounds found in food and other sources, can help reduce ADHD symptoms and even improve the effects of medication. Science-backed natural supplements that could help mitigate symptoms and improve your quality of life include:

Omega-3 fatty acids

Research suggests that people with ADHD tend to have lower levels of a specific type of omega-3 called Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); therefore, upping your intake of omega-3 could help fill nutritional gaps and boost your well-being. You can find omega-3 supplements in pill or syrup form, or you can get it from your diet by consuming any of the following foods:

• Salmon
• Anchovies
• Herring
• Tuna
• Flax seeds
• Olive oil
• Nuts and seeds

Zinc

Children with ADHD may also have lower levels of zinc, a vital mineral that plays a critical role in brain health and development. Zinc-rich foods that you can easily incorporate into your diet include:

• Chicken
• Beef
• Beans
• Dairy
• Whole grains
• Pork
• Tofu
• Lentils
• Oatmeal
• Mushrooms

Magnesium 

This is another mineral essential for brain health. Evidence suggests that people with lower levels of magnesium can become irritable, confused, and develop issues concentrating and remembering information. Magnesium supplements can sometimes cause uncomfortable side effects, such as diarrhea and stomach cramps. A better way of increasing your magnesium intake is by eating more magnesium-rich foods, such as:

• Pumpkin seeds
• Spinach
• Nuts, especially cashews, almonds, and peanuts
• Bananas
• Dark chocolate
• Avocado
• Beans
• Whole grains
• Brown rice
• Peas
• Leeks
• Tofu
• Mackerel

Online therapy can help with ADHD symptoms

If you are considering online therapy for ADHD, BetterHelp has thousands of licensed and experienced mental health providers available to start working with you. Online counseling has been shown to be as effective as in-person therapy for a number of conditions, including many of the symptoms associated with ADHD. This study showed that online therapy may even be more effective than in-person therapy, especially considering that many individuals and families can spend months on waiting lists for qualified therapists in your area. Online therapy has also been proven to help reduce psychological distress among students. 

Get started with a BetterHelp therapist today.