Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and drugs are both effective treatments for ADD. It is important to try both to determine which one is more efficient.
People with classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and basal Ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Dopamine levels are usually increased as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants accelerate the body's systems. They are available in prescription medications such as amphetamines, methylphenidates and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and often mixed with other substances like methcathinone and cocaine. They can be taken as pills, syrups or liquids, or patches which are applied to the skin.
They enhance concentration by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity, and improve working memory. treatment for add in adults are the most frequently used medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can cause 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 Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
About 70% to 80% people who take ADHD medications will experience reduced symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medication and the effects aren't always long-lasting.
Some people find that stimulants don't work for them, or they can't tolerate the negative effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants but they can aid in improving attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to work and aren't as effective. They don't increase dopamine levels and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and Clonidine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side effect. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at the time of bed. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. They are classified based on the way they affect these neurotransmitters, with each class having a variety of 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).
Your physician may prescribe a medicine that belongs to one of these groups to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medication is best for you. They may add additional medications or combine two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is referred to as an augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are Aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can cause a variety of side effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about the side effects as some 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 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 proven to have fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason they're believed to be more effective than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used to boost energy levels and help you feel more awake. They can be helpful for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, but they can be beneficial for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia and also to aid smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that emotions and thoughts are connected and can be altered. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term process that can teach you new strategies to deal with stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
The purpose of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive feelings and behaviours. It is a combination of two different therapies, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be performed in a group or on an individual basis. You will be taught different methods by a therapist and then you'll use them in daily life. Some of these techniques include: learning to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist will also help you identify negative thoughts that can lead to ineffective behaviors, and then teach you strategies for changing these beliefs. They will also show you how to tackle issues in your daily routine. CBT therapists encourage you to establish SMART goals to make it easier for you to monitor your progress.
While each form of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavior therapies are focused on identifying and changing thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ a variety of techniques, but most are based on the concepts of operant and classical conditioning, which involve associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the treatment the therapist will be rewarded for your accomplishments and will punish you for failing to complete them.
In the initial sessions together, your therapist and you will look for problematic behaviors and replace them by healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you learn the techniques. Based on the degree of your illness it could take up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including anxiety depression, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective for adult ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves regular, planned meetings with a therapist to discuss your issues. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family, and relationship issues as well as work-related problems.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your issues and provide an objective perspective. They can discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They will be able to teach you strategies for coping 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 a loved one. They can help you learn to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, and others may be covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health plan from your doctor.