One thing is known for sure: ADHD cannot be cured. There are certain medications that control the activities of the nervous system when dopamine is deficient. For example, psychostimulants such as methylphenidate (known as Ritalin) can help. According to Professor Michael Schulte-Markwort, this is necessary in about 30 percent of ADHD patients. Another drug is the norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor atomoxetine (Strattera), which has only been on the market since March 2005.
ADHD: medication and psychotherapy
While methylphenidate increases the concentration of dopamine in the brain, atomoxetine slows the reuptake of norepinephrine into the cell, resulting in a prolonged effect of norepinephrine. But drug therapy for ADHD is controversial. Efforts are being made to avoid such medication, especially for preschool-aged children.
Psychotherapy is useful for adults to treat the core symptoms or consequences of ADHD. Behavioral therapy may be at the heart of treatment, with the goal of better controlling disruptive symptoms and developing alternative plans and strategies on their own as part of “self-management.” This is not always straightforward, but often requires regular practice.
ADHD: lowering stress levels
According to Halina Lackschewitz, the environment plays a crucial role in stress management. “Recent research in the U.S. has shown that children with ADHD respond positively to a natural environment. ADHD symptoms were significantly lower after spending time in nature than after activities in the city. At the same time, various studies with healthy adults have shown that contact with nature alleviates stress and improves attention.”
The Göttingen study will now shed light on the extent to which contact with nature can reduce the stress levels of ADHD adults in everyday life and whether it also has a positive effect on the way they deal with this disorder and its symptoms.