Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and drugs are both effective treatment options for ADD. It is important to try both to determine which one is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and often hyperactive. They have low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of 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 cocaine and methcathinone. They are available in the form of syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are applied to the skin.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are among the most commonly used medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects like a decrease in appetite or trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk with your physician about any concerns.
Medications can reduce ADHD symptoms in about 70% to 80% of people who use them. Not all people respond the same way to the medication and the effects may not last long.
Some people don't like stimulants or can't tolerate their side effects. In this instance doctors may prescribe nonstimulant medications. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants, but they can help improve focus, attention and control impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines are more difficult to use and don't perform as efficiently. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants and don't increase dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and the guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side effect. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to the time of bed. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are classified based on the way they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having drugs that work 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).
treatment of adhd in adults might recommend a medication from one of these groups to relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you feel the full benefits. You and your doctor will determine which medication is best for you. They may combine two antidepressants, or add other medicines to improve the effectiveness of your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are Aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can cause a variety of side effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about the side effects since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These effects can range from mild to severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant you're taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medications, including herbal remedies and prescription drugs such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have fewer side-effects than other types of antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are regarded as more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life, and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other medications. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be utilized to boost energy and help you feel more awake. They can be helpful for those suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness or insomnia but they can be helpful for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used for bulimia and for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
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 altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process that can help you learn new ways to deal with negative thoughts and stressors. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive emotions or behaviors. The technique is a mixture of two treatments, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy that's usually short-term, and can be performed in a group or an individual setting. You will be taught different methods by a therapist and then you will practice them in daily life. These techniques include: understanding how to recognize negative automatic thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping an account of your thoughts.
A therapist will also help you identify the negative thoughts that can lead to behavior that is not optimal and provide strategies to change these assumptions. They will also teach you how to solve problems in your daily routine. Therapists in CBT will also help you to establish goals that are SMART (specific goals that are measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
While each type of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies focus on identifying and changing thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but the majority are based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves relating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the therapy the therapist will give you a reward for completing tasks and punish those who fail to complete them.
During the first few sessions, your therapist will help you identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You may be given homework to help you develop the abilities. You may need anywhere from six to twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the nature and severity of your condition.
CBT can be used to treat a number of ailments, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective in treating adult ADHD which is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to discuss your issues. Typically, these sessions last around 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face or in groups. They can also be conducted via the phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from a range of mental health issues including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about family, friendship, and relationship issues as well as work-related difficulties.
A counselor will listen to your problems and provide an objective viewpoint. They will be able to identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways to alter them. They can also teach you strategies and coping strategies to manage anxiety, stress or depression. They can assist you in dealing with major life events, such as divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can also teach you how to cope with addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, and others are covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.