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 are irritable, disorganized and are often 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 usually increased as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants accelerate the body's systems. They are legal as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used, often mixed with other substances, including methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They can be consumed as pills, syrups or liquids, or patches that are placed on the skin.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and help improve working memory. They are among the most commonly used drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. They can cause adverse effects like a decrease in appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is essential to talk with your doctor regarding any concerns.
Medications can reduce ADHD symptoms in about 70 percent to 80% of people who take them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication, and the effects aren't always lasting.
Some people don't like stimulants or can't tolerate their negative effects. In this case doctors may prescribe nonstimulant medications. These drugs might not be as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve concentration and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to begin working and they don't react as quickly. They don't raise dopamine levels and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and the clonidine. The most common side effect of these medications is sleepiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dose or taking the medication prior to bedtime. The drowsiness will diminish in a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to how they act on neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of distinct 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 to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine the best treatment for you. You may also take other medications or combine two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is known as an augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have distinct adverse effects. It is important to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor, as they may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects may be mild or severe, depending on the type antidepressant that you are taking. You should also inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been proven to have fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are considered more efficient 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 are used to boost energy and make you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for people who have insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are among the most commonly used. These drugs can cause insomnia or jitteriness but they can be helpful for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used for bulimia and to aid in quitting smoking.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based upon the notion that feelings and thoughts are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a measurable, short-term program that teaches you new methods to deal with negative stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive emotions or behaviors. It is a combination of two treatments, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be done either in a group setting or individually. A therapist will teach you different techniques, and you'll practice them in your everyday life. These techniques include: understanding how to recognize negative automatic thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping an account of your thoughts.
A therapist can assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that lead to behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies to change these assumptions. They will also teach you how to deal with problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will also guide you to establish SMART goals (specific achievable, measurable relevant, time-based, and relevant) to make it easier to track your progress.
Although each type of cognitive behavior therapy has an entirely different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the underlying thoughts that cause emotional distress and transforming them. The therapists use different techniques however they all are based on the principle of operant and classical conditioning that involves relating stimuli to their effects. While you are in treatment, you will be rewarded for completing tasks. Additionally, you will be penalized when you fail to complete them.
During the first few sessions the therapist will assist you to identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They may also assign homework to help you learn the techniques. It is possible that you will require anywhere between six and twenty one-onone sessions, based on the nature and severity of your condition.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of ailments, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). It can also be effective for adults with ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that uses regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to talk about your issues. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or by phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from various mental health issues including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationships, friendships and family issues and also work-related issues.
add treatments for adults will carefully listen to your issues and provide an objective view. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They will be able to teach you coping strategies and techniques for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of loved ones. They can teach you how to manage addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health care plans from your doctor.