Most doctors and mental health professionals recommend medication and therapy as treatment for attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). Medication helps to reduce the symptoms of ADHD, and therapy helps someone learn to cope with the symptoms and reduce them in holistic ways. Some people don't want to rely on medication, or have adverse side effects from taking medication, and want to deal with symptoms in other ways.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
In this form of therapy, the patient learns how his thoughts affect his emotions, which then affect his behaviors and symptoms of ADHD. This form of therapy is known to treat ADHD effectively by helping people identify irrational thinking and change unproductive behavioral patterns. When finding a therapist to help you manage ADHD, look for a licensed mental health professional who has been trained or has a background in cognitive behavioral therapy.
Behavior Modification
Behavior modification is a popular technique that therapists and parents use when working with a child who has ADHD. The therapist can help the family deal with academic issues, family relationships and getting along better with peers. The parents are the main ingredient in this part of treatment. They have to be willing to spend time on the techniques and to be consistent.
The therapist works with the parents to set up a rewards and consequences system to use at home. Many children with ADHD respond to rewards; however, it's hard for them to conceptualize long-term rewards. They need immediate gratification. For example, instead of rewarding a child with a trip to Disneyland in two years, it might be better to let him stay up 30 minutes later on a Friday night, or let him choose dessert. Consequences should be used wisely and consistently. Empty threats don't work.
Goal Setting
Goal setting is extremely important for people who struggle with this disorder and don't want to take medication. An adult diagnosed with ADHD can make a list of all the negative symptoms she is struggling with, such as running late for work, lack of concentration at work and frequent arguments with her husband. She can make another list of specific things she can do to fix the issues. For example, she may list that she needs to set her alarm 20 minutes earlier in the morning and set up a strict morning routine and time line. Then she should focus on one adverse symptom and practice the list of specific things she can do to cope with that symptom. Adults who have a hard time brainstorming healthy solutions can seek the help of a licensed mental health professional and ask their friends and family members for assistance.
