Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include drugs and counselling. Both are essential to test to determine which is more effective.
People with classic ADD tend to be inattentional and unorganized, as well being hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal Ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used, often mixed with other substances, such as methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available in the form of pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, and improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects such as decreased appetite or trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They can also interfere with certain medications and medical conditions It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
About 70% to 80% people who use ADHD medication will experience an improvement in symptoms. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects may not last for long.
Some people aren't a fan of stimulants or can't tolerate their side effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe non-stimulant medications. These drugs might not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can boost attention and focus and control impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to work and aren't as effective. They don't raise dopamine levels and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and clonidine. The most frequent adverse effect of these drugs is drowsiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness will diminish in a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on how they interact with neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of slightly different medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Your health care provider might prescribe a medicine that belongs to one of these groups in order to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief. It can take several weeks to experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the best treatment for you. You may also take other medications or combine two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is referred to as an augmentation. The most commonly used augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine, and lithium.
Antidepressants may have a variety of side effects. You should discuss these side effects with your doctor since they could cause problems in your daily activities. These effects can be mild or severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant that you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been proven to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is why SNRIs are regarded as more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other drugs. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost energy levels and help you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people with insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban, Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness or insomnia but they can be helpful for people suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used to treat bulimia and as a smoking cessation aid.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that helps you discover new ways to deal with anxiety and negative habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
The purpose of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive feelings and behavior. The method is a combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. add in adults treatment 's a form of psychotherapy that is often short-term, and can be done in a group or an individual setting. You will be taught different techniques by a therapist and then you'll use them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include: being able to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that cause you to engage in maladaptive behavior and teach you how to change these thoughts. They'll also help you develop problem-solving techniques so that you are able to handle challenges that come up in your day-to-day life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to set goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavior therapy has a slightly different approach, they all focus on identifying the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress and then changing them. The therapists will use different techniques, but most are based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. While you are in treatment you will be rewarded for working through tasks. Additionally, you will be penalized when you fail to complete the task.
During the first few sessions, your therapist will help you identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be assigned homework to help you build the abilities. Depending on the severity of your condition you could require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). It can also be effective for adults with ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a counselor (counsellor) to discuss your issues. Usually these sessions last for approximately 50 minutes and may be face-to-face in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from many mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about family, friendship, and relationship issues as well as work-related difficulties.
A counselor will listen attentively to your concerns and provide an objective perspective. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can also teach you strategies and coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety, or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of loved ones. They can also help you learn how to cope with addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health care plans from your doctor.