Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. Both are crucial to test to see which is more efficient.
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 dopamine levels. Dopamine levels are usually increased in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, as well as diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be illegally used and are often mixed with other substances, such as methcathinone and cocaine. They are available as syrups, pills or liquids, or patches which are applied to the skin.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and enhance working memory. They are among the most commonly used medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger negative side effects, such as a decreased appetite, trouble sleeping and a rise in heart rate or blood pressure. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is important to speak to your doctor about any concerns.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in 70 percent to 80% of the people who are taking them. Not everyone responds the same way to the medication and the effects may not last for long.
Certain people find that stimulants don't work for them or they aren't able to handle the adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These medications may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can boost focus and attention as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to begin working and they don't react as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants and don't increase dopamine levels in the brain. adult add treatments include Atomoxetine (clonidine), guanfacine, and Clonidine. The most frequent adverse effect of these drugs is sleepiness. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dose or taking them before bedtime. The drowsiness will diminish in a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. They are classified according to how they affect these neurotransmitters with each group having medications that act 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).
A health care provider may start you on one of these groups to help alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, as it can take weeks before you feel the full benefits. You and your doctor will decide which medication works best for you. You may also take other medications or mix two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most common augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine, and lithium.
Antidepressants can have different side effects. It is important to discuss these side effects with your physician because they could interfere in your daily activities. These adverse effects may be mild or severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant that you're taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs like St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been known to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are regarded as more effective than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be utilized to boost energy and make you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for those suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are among the most common. These medications can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness. However, they can be useful for many 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 behavioural therapy (CBT) is a research-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the notion that feelings and thoughts are connected and can be altered. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented which can help you develop new strategies to handle anxiety and negative habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
The aim of CBT is to transform negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. The technique is an amalgamation of two treatments which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This type of psychotherapy is usually short-term, and can be carried out either in a group setting or in a private setting. You will be taught a variety of techniques by a therapist and then you'll apply them in your everyday life. These techniques include: learning how to recognize negative automatic thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping a journal.
A Therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that can lead you to take on a negative behavior and teach you how to change these beliefs. They will also help you learn how to tackle issues in your daily routine. Therapists in CBT will also help you to establish goals that are SMART (specific achievable, measurable relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
Although each type of cognitive behavioral therapy takes an entirely different approach, they all focus on identifying the fundamental mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and transforming them. Therapists employ a variety of techniques, but most are based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the therapy, the person who is treating you will give you a reward for completing tasks and penalize you for failing to complete the tasks.
In the first few sessions the therapist will work with you to identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You may be given homework to help you build the abilities. You may need anywhere between six and twenty one-onone sessions, based on the nature and severity of your condition.
CBT can be used to treat a number of conditions that include depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adults suffering from ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy which uses planned, regular meetings with an therapist (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. Typically, these sessions last around 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health issues such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about friendship, family, and relationship issues, as well as work-related issues.
A counselor will listen attentively to your concerns and provide an objective viewpoint. They will be able to identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways you can change them. They will be able to teach you coping skills and strategies for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes, such as divorce or loss of loved ones. They can also teach you how to deal with addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health plans from your doctor.