Free Course – “Neurofeedback: An Overview” – Enroll NowComparison of treatments for ADHD
There are various treatments for ADHD. In this table we try to summarize the most common treatments and their characteristics. We compare Neurofeedback with Psychotherapy and Medication like Ritalin or Adderall.
| Neurofeedback | Psychotherapy | Medication- Ritalin/Adderall | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How Long has the treatment been around? | Since 1960s | Early 20th Century or before | Ritalin – 1956Adderall – 1996 |
| Results are long term once stopped | Yes | Yes | No. Possible “rebound effect” |
| Average Cost per Session | $110 | $100 | $20/month for Ritalin$140/month for Adderall |
| Average Time Investment | 30-50 hours over 1 year | 10-60 hours over 1-2 years | 1 minute per day until adulthood or longer |
| Negative Side Effects | No | No | Ritalin- Decreased appetite , symptoms worsen when drug wears off, nervousness, potential for abuseAdderall- False sense of wellbeing , abdominal pain |
| Ability to treat multiple biomarkers | Yes | Yes | Medications for differing biomarkers often conflict with one another |
| Outside Interests that conflict | No | No | Possible financial and political |
| Effectiveness | Shows improvement approx. 80% of the time | Many people report positive results when they follow assignments | Varies. Some report good results. May require several different medication attempts to find the best fit |
| American Pediatric Association Approved | Yes Level l | Yes, Level l when combined with behavior therapy | Yes, Level l when combined with behavior therapy |
| Approved for children under 6 | Yes | Yes | No |
| Total Costs | Lifetime: $3000 average | 1-10 years: $600-$6000 | 6 years: $1440, plus behavior therapy: total approximately: $4000 |
ADHD Basics
Forms of ADHD There is possible confusion and misunderstanding...