Treatment of adult ADHD: is current knowledge useful to clinicians?

Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
Terje TorgersenKirsten Rasmussen

Abstract

Psychostimulant drugs have for decades been considered the cornerstone of ADHD treatment. Non-stimulant drugs have also been reported successful. However, many controlled studies exclude patients with comorbidities typical for patients seen in clinical setting. Many patients are also considered non-responders to medication. Current knowledge might not be directly useful to clinicians. The present article reviews the literature on pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment in adult ADHD emphasizing comorbidity and other clinically important factors, as well as ADHD specific outcomes. Thirty-three relevant studies of pharmacotherapy and three studies of psychotherapy were included. Most subjects had little current comorbidity, but some studies included subjects with substance use disorder. Significant effect of treatment on ADHD symptoms was found in most studies using pharmacotherapy and all studies of psychotherapy. Both positive and negative effects on comorbid anxiety and depression measures were reported. Pharmacotherapy did not seem to have effect on substance use disorder. Few pharmacotherapy studies conducted any long-term follow-up; two studies that did, found that most subjects had discontinued medication. A clear-...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 8, 2014·Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders·Pamela O'Callaghan
Apr 5, 2014·Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders·Terje TorgersenArne E Vaaler
Oct 30, 2012·Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders·Terje TorgersenHans M Nordahl
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May 9, 2014·Journal of Attention Disorders·Julia J RucklidgeAnna Boggis

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
pharmacotherapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

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