Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Drugs and counseling are both effective treatment options for ADD. It is important to try both to determine which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be irritable and disorganized, as well as hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate 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, like cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be taken as pills, syrups, liquids or patches that are placed on the skin.
They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, and improve working memory. They are the most frequently used drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. They can trigger adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping and an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. They can also interfere with certain medical treatments and medications Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in around 70% to 80% of people who take them. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects may not last long.
Some people find that stimulants don't work well or they aren't able to handle the negative effects. In this situation doctors will prescribe non-stimulant medication. These drugs may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can help improve attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to get started and don't work as fast. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants, and don't increase dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine), guanfacine, and clonidine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side effect. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication before the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks of beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to the way they affect these neurotransmitters, with each class having a variety of 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 belonging to one of these groups in order to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks to experience the full benefit. Your doctor and you will determine which medicine is best for you. They can mix two antidepressants or add other medications to enhance the effects of your treatment. This is called an augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants can have different side effects. It is important to speak with your doctor about the side effects because some could affect your daily activities. These effects can be severe or mild, depending on the type antidepressant you're taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, including prescription drugs and herbal remedies like St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have less adverse effects than other types of antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is the reason they're believed to be more effective than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other drugs. The SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are utilized for their energizing effects, helping you to feel more alert. They may be useful for people who have insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness. However, they can be beneficial for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia and also to aid smokers in quitting.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that emotions, thoughts and actions are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that helps you discover new ways to deal with stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive thoughts or behaviours. It is a combination of two therapies that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy which is usually short-term, and it can be done in a group or an individual setting. The therapist will instruct you on various techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily life. These techniques include: understanding how to recognize negative automatic thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping journals.
A therapist can help you identify the negative thoughts that lead to behavior that is not optimal and provide strategies to change these beliefs. They will also teach you how to solve problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to develop goals that are SMART (specific goals that are measurable, achievable relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavioral therapy employs an entirely different approach but they all are focused on identifying the fundamental thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and then changing them. The therapists use different techniques however they all are based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning that involves the association of stimuli with their effects. While you are in treatment you will be rewarded for working through tasks. You'll also be penalized for failing to complete the task.
During the first few sessions the therapist will assist you to identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be given homework to help you master the skills. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may require up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
treat adhd in adults can be utilized to treat a variety of conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD which can affect people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled meetings with a therapist to discuss your concerns. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss relationship, family and friendship issues, as well as workplace-related problems.
A counsellor will pay attention to your concerns and offer an objective perspective. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They will be able to teach you coping strategies and techniques to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you deal with major life events, such as divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can help you learn to deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health plans from your doctor.