Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. It is essential to try both to determine which is more effective.
People with classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus. They also have low dopamine levels. Dopamine levels are usually increased in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are legal as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be taken as syrups, pills or liquids, or patches that are placed on the skin.
They improve concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and enhance working memory. These are the most common medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, sleep disturbances and a rise in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interfere with certain medical treatments and medications It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in about 70% to 80% of people who are taking them. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects might not last long.
Some people aren't a fan of stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their side effects. In this situation doctors will prescribe non-stimulant medication. They aren't as effective as stimulants but they can help improve focus, attention and control impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines are more difficult to use and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants, and do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and clonidine. Drowsiness is the most common side result. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dosage or taking them at the time of bed. The drowsiness will diminish in the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, called neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to how they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having medications that perform in slightly different ways. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Your physician may prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, as it could take several weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medication is best for you. They may add other medications or combine two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can cause a variety of adverse effects. It is recommended to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor because they could interfere with your daily activities. treatment of add in adults may be mild or severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies and prescription drugs like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been proven to have fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason 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. The SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used for their energizing effects, helping you to feel more awake. They could be helpful for people suffering from anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of most common. These drugs can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness. However, they can be beneficial for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used for bulimia and as a smoking cessation aid.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that emotions, thoughts and behaviours are all connected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process that can help you learn new strategies to handle negative thoughts and stressors. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and feelings into positive feelings or behaviours. The technique is the combination of two therapies that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be performed in a group setting or individually. You will be taught various techniques by a therapist and then you will practice them in your daily life. These techniques include learning to recognize negative thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping an account of your thoughts.
A therapist will also help you identify the negative thoughts that can lead to ineffective behaviors, and then teach you strategies for changing these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem-solving techniques to help you handle challenges that come up in your everyday life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to develop SMART goals (specific goals that are measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
While each form of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavior treatments focus on identifying and modifying the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ different methods but they are all based on the principles of operant and classic conditioning which involves the association of stimuli with their effects. During treatment you will be awarded for working through tasks. You'll also be penalized if you fail to complete the task.
In the initial few sessions, your therapist will help you identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you master the techniques. You may need anywhere from six to twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the severity and nature of your condition.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective for adults with ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy which uses planned, regular meetings with an counselor (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. Typically, these sessions last about 50 minutes. They can be face to face or in groups. They can also be conducted via telephone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health problems that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about relationship, family and friendship issues, as well as work-related problems.
A counsellor will pay attention to your issues and provide an objective view. They can identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways you can alter them. They can teach you coping skills and strategies for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you deal with major life changes, like divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can help you learn to manage addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, whereas others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health plan from your doctor.