Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. Both are important to test to determine which is more effective.
People with classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used, often mixed with other substances, such as methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They can be taken in the form of syrups, pills or liquids, or patches that are placed on the skin.
They boost concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are among the most commonly used medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger negative side effects, such as a decreased appetite, sleep disturbances and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interact with certain medicines and medical conditions. It is essential to talk with your physician about any concerns.
Medications can reduce ADHD symptoms in about 70 percent to 80% of people who use them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication, and the effects don't always long-lasting.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their side effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe non-stimulant medications. These drugs may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can boost focus and attention and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to get started and they don't react as quickly. They do not raise dopamine levels and they have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and guanfacine. The most common adverse effect of these drugs is the feeling of drowsiness. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking them at the time of bed. The drowsiness will diminish in a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to how they act on neurotransmitters. Each group contains distinct 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 medication belonging to one of these groups in order to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It may take several weeks to experience the full benefit. treatment for adhd in adults and you will determine which medication is best for you. They can mix two antidepressants or add other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is referred to as augmenting. The most popular augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine and lithium.
Antidepressants can cause a variety of side effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about the side effects because some could affect your daily activities. These effects can be mild or severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medications, including herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been found to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are regarded as more effective than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost energy levels and make you feel more alert. They are beneficial for people with anxiety or insomnia. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of the most common. These drugs can cause insomnia or jitteriness however they can be beneficial for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used to treat bulimia and for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term process that can teach you new ways to cope with problems and bad habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and feelings into positive feelings or behaviours. The technique is an amalgamation of two treatments which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term, and can be carried out in a group or on an individual basis. A therapist will teach you different methods, and you'll apply them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include learning to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.
A therapist will also help you identify the negative thoughts that can lead to maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies to change these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem-solving techniques to help you handle challenges that come up in your day-to-day life. CBT therapists will encourage you to establish SMART goals to help you to keep track of your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavior therapy has a slightly different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the fundamental mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and changing them. Therapists employ various methods but they are all based on the principles operant and classical conditioning that involves associating stimuli to their effects. In treatment, you will be rewarded for completing tasks. You'll also be penalized when you fail to complete them.
In the first few sessions the therapist will work with you to identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You may be given homework to help you build the skills. You could require anywhere between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the degree and nature of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of conditions including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD which is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with the therapy (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from various mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationship, friendship and family issues as well as issues related to work.
A counselor will listen to your concerns and offer an objective perspective. They can detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can alter them. They can teach you techniques and coping techniques to manage anxiety, stress, or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes such as divorce or loss of loved ones. They can teach you how to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, and others may be covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.