Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. It is important to try both to determine which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be irritable and unorganized, as well as hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are legal as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used, often mixed with other substances, like cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available in the form of liquids, pills, syrups or patches.
They improve concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently used drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as a decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They can also interfere with certain medications and medical conditions It is important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in about 70 percent to 80% of the people who are taking them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication and the effects don't always long-lasting.
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 might prescribe non-stimulant medications. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants, but they do help improve focus, attention and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to effect and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants, and do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side effect. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dose or taking them before bedtime. The drowsiness will subside in several weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to how they interact with neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of somewhat different medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Your doctor may prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups in order to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks to experience their 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 enhance your treatment. This is known as augmenting. The most common augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It is recommended to discuss these side effects with your doctor, as they may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects could be mild or serious depending on the kind of antidepressant that you are taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're using, 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 include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are thought to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used to boost your energy levels and make you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban, Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness, but they can be beneficial for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used for the treatment of bulimia as well as as a smoking cessation aid.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that feelings and thoughts are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented, short-term process that can teach you new methods to deal with negative stressors and bad habits. It can also be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
The aim of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behavior. The technique is a combination of two therapies that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy which is usually short-term, and it can be done in a group or individual setting. You will be taught different techniques by a therapist, and then you will practice them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include learning to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A Therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that can lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior and help you learn to change these beliefs. They will also teach you how to solve problems in your daily routine. CBT therapists advise you to establish SMART goals to make it easier for you to keep track of your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavioral therapy takes an approach that is slightly different however, they all concentrate on identifying the underlying thoughts that cause emotional distress and changing them. The therapists will use different techniques, but most are based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involve associating stimuli with their effects. During the treatment the therapist will give you a reward for completing tasks and penalize you for failing to complete the tasks.
In your initial sessions together, your therapist and you will look for problematic behaviors and replace them by healthy ones. You may be given 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 is effective in treating a range of disorders, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It also works for adults suffering from ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with an counselor (counsellor) to discuss your issues. Usually these sessions last for about 50 minutes. They can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from a range of mental health issues like depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family, and relationship issues, as well as work-related problems.
A counselor will listen attentively to your issues and provide an objective view. They will be able to identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways you can modify 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. adhd treatments adults can also help you learn how to manage addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, while others may be covered by Medicare rebates when you have a mental health plan from your doctor.