What is the multimodal therapeutic intervention for ADHD like?

Throughout my professional experience I have perceived a lot of misinformation in relation to the ADHD.

For this reason, I want to share this more accurate information about this alteration, which is a neurodevelopmental disorder and has a genetic and environmental basis as causes. I will also explain what it consists of Multimodal therapeutic intervention for patients with ADHD, since it has been shown to be effective.

Basic characteristics of ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a genetic and environmental basis that results in a complex limitation of development of executive functions, mental activities such as: planning, organizing, guiding, reviewing, regularizing and evaluating the behavior necessary to achieve goals. Similarly, these people present inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity.

This alteration is characterized by affecting cognitive, emotional and behavioral functions. Among its symptoms, inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity are usually more evident.

These symptoms, in turn, will manifest themselves according to the type of ADHD and the comorbidities that the patient presents. The best known types are: attention deficit, impulsivity and hyperactivity and the combined type.

ADHD, being a neurodevelopmental disorder, It presents different comorbidities according to the changes in the stage of human development. That is to say, that in childhood the ADHD will have comorbidities such as low self-esteem, behavior problems, learning, language... during adolescence the comorbidities will be depression, anxiety, addiction to games or substances... and during adulthood and its comorbidities are, for example, addictions and personality disorders such as antisocial, BPD, among others.

According to the DSM-IV, there are three types of ADHD.: inattentive, impulsive and hyperactive and of the combined type.

On the other hand, according to Dr. Amen, there are 7 types of ADD: classic, inattentive, hyperfocused, temporal lobe, limbic, ring of fire, and anxious.

What are the comorbidities of ADHD?

Within the comorbidities we have: anxiety disorders, OCD, depression, bipolar disorder, language and learning disorders, addictions such as gambling and substances, and autism. Also, personality disorders such as: antisocial, BPD, among others, which become evident in adolescence and are accentuated in adulthood.

• Related article: "Mental health: definition and characteristics according to psychology"

What is multimodal therapeutic intervention for ADHD?

ADHD, being a very complex disorder with many comorbidities, requires a multimodal therapeutic intervention so that the patient and the family environment can be better helped. In this sense, the patient requires a multimodal therapeutic intervention, because their symptoms are complex, which will depend on the type of ADHD and the comorbidities of the case.

A large multidisciplinary team is involved in the therapeutic intervention such as clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, pediatricians, nutritionists, educational psychologists, speech therapists, among others. All of them make their contributions from their area or specialty in the therapeutic process, thus achieving the improvement of the patient and their normal development in their daily lives.

First of all, the patient must be evaluated and diagnosed by: clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians and neurologists; All these specialties contribute from their area to make a good diagnosis in this way a good therapeutic approach can be carried out.

In second place, the psychotherapist must provide psychoeducation of the patient and the family environment. It is essential in this process, since the proactive participation of the family is fundamental and for this it is necessary that they know the problem in depth.

Thirdly, it is necessary for parents to go with their child to the psychiatrist to drug treatment, to a great extent, drugs play an important role in treatment, especially when there is very low inattention and high hyperactivity.

In fourth place, psychotherapy is the most essential part because this is going to be very helpful for both the patient and the family. Typically, this approach is through cognitive behavioral therapy; This allows restructuring thoughts, disruptive or disturbing behaviors and emotional instability, which is typical of the disorder.

On the other hand, it also allows training patients in social, problem-solving, self-esteem, communication and management of emotions, relaxation techniques to manage stress, anxiety, among others.

In the same way, it allows parents to train in relation to the modification of their children's behavior, as well as social skills to that in this way they can be inserted and interact in a social world on a regular or normal basis because many times children and adolescents with ADHD are discriminated against or labeled and this leads them to isolate themselves or sometimes they tend to be very aggressive due to their impulsiveness and hyperactivity.

Other professionals who should participate in the therapeutic process are educational psychologists., so that they can instruct in organization, planning, homework, study habits, exams... and help with problems in the learning process.

Other specialties that will intervene are occupational and language therapists, because those with ADHD often have language problems as well as processing problems sensory.

Nutrition professionals must also be involved, preparing a balanced Mediterranean diet according to the requirements of each patient and the necessary dose of omega 3, since, according to research, it fulfills many functions and is of great help in cases of ADHD.

Conclusion

As a conclusion, it can be said that ADHD is a disorder that begins in childhood and that prevails throughout the person's life, for what this is going to require a multimodal professional assistance because there is a varied and very complex alteration in the organism of the one who suffers.

On the other hand, ADHD generates a series of comorbidities as the person changes their stages of development, which is why they will need a team multidisciplinary team of health professionals so that they can assist and stabilize you as much as possible so that you can lead a life just like anyone else common.