TREATMENT OF ADHD IN ADULTS: COMPARATIVE EFFICACY BETWEEN PHARMACOLOGICAL AND NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL APPROACHES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/levv17n59-043Keywords:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD in Adults, Pharmacotherapy, Psychostimulants, Methylphenidate, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Neurofeedback, Non-Pharmacological Interventions, Multimodal Treatment, Psychiatric ComorbiditiesAbstract
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) persists into adulthood in 50 to 60% of cases, leading to significant functional impairments and a high prevalence of comorbidities. This study consisted of a narrative literature review aimed at comparing the effectiveness of pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches in the treatment of ADHD in adults. The search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases, resulting in the inclusion of 10 studies after applying the eligibility criteria. The results indicate that psychostimulants—methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine—remain the first-line therapy, with robust efficacy in reducing core symptoms. Atomoxetine stands out as a non-stimulant alternative, especially in patients at risk of substance abuse. Among non-pharmacological interventions, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) showed the most consistent results, followed by neurofeedback, Self-Alert Training (SAT), mindfulness, light therapy, and physical exercise. The analysis highlights the complementarity between the two modalities: while drugs act more quickly on core symptoms, psychosocial interventions promote self-regulation, adherence, and management of comorbidities. It concludes that treatment should be individualized and preferably multimodal, integrating pharmacotherapy and non-pharmacological interventions. However, the need for randomized clinical trials with greater methodological rigor to support more comprehensive clinical guidelines is emphasized.
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