Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. It is crucial to test both to determine which is more effective.
People with classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and often hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available in the form of prescription drugs like amphetamines, methylphenidates and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and are often mixed with other substances, such as methcathinone and cocaine. They are available in the form of liquids, pills, syrups or patches.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, insomnia and an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. They can also interfere with certain medications and medical conditions It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in 70 percent to 80% of people who use them. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects may not last long.
Some people don't like stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their side effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can improve concentration and focus and control impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to get started and they don't react as quickly. They do not raise dopamine levels and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and clonidine. adhd in adults treatment is the most frequent side effect. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dose or taking the medication prior to bedtime. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks after the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, called neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group contains slightly 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 belonging to one of these groups to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It can take several weeks to experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medicine is best for you. You may mix two antidepressants or other medicines to boost the effects of your treatment. This is known as augmenting. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are Aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can cause a variety of adverse effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects, because some could affect your daily activities. These side effects may be severe or mild dependent on the type of antidepressant you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, including herbal remedies and prescription drugs such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been found to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is why they're considered to be more effective 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 your energy levels which help you feel more alert. They can be helpful for people suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban, Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness or insomnia but they can be helpful for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used to treat bulimia and to aid in quitting smoking.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based upon the idea that feelings and thoughts are connected and can be altered. CBT is a measurable, short-term procedure that can teach you new methods to deal with problems and bad habits. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
The goal of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive feelings and behaviours. It is a combination of two treatments, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy which is usually short-term and can be done in a group or an individual setting. A therapist will teach you different techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your daily routine. Some of these techniques include: the ability to recognize negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that lead you to take on a negative behavior and help you learn to change these thoughts. They'll also teach you problem solving techniques to help you deal with challenges that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to develop SMART goals (specific achievable, measurable, relevant, and time-based) to help you track your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavior therapy has an approach that is slightly different, they all focus on identifying the underlying mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and then changing them. Therapists employ different methods but they are all based on the principle of operant and classic conditioning which involves associating stimuli to their effects. During the treatment the therapist will be rewarded for your accomplishments and will punish those who fail to complete them.
In adhd adults treatment will assist you to identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be given homework to help you build the skills. Depending on the nature of your condition it could take up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a range of disorders, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with an therapy (counsellor) to discuss your problems. Usually these sessions last for approximately 50 minutes and may be face-to-face or in groups. They can also be conducted via phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from a range of mental health issues, including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss family, friendship, and relationship issues - as well as work-related difficulties.
A counsellor will pay attention to your problems and provide an objective viewpoint. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can help you learn techniques and coping techniques to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you deal with major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also help you learn how to deal with addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, whereas others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health plan from your doctor.