Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. Both are crucial to determine which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentional and disorganized, as well being 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 in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used, often mixed with other substances, including cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be consumed as pills, syrups or liquids, or patches which are placed on the skin.
They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and enhance working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as a decreased appetite, trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interact with certain medicines and medical conditions. It's important to talk to your doctor about any concerns.
Around 70 to 80 percent of those who take ADHD medication will experience an improvement in symptoms. However, not everyone responds to the same medication and the effects aren't always lasting.
Some people find that stimulants don't work for them, or they can't tolerate the adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe non-stimulant medications. They aren't as effective as stimulants but they can help improve focus, attention and control impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to effect and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants, and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and clonidine. The most common side effect of these medicines is the feeling of drowsiness. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dose or taking the medication at the time of bed. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. They are classified based on the way they affect neurotransmitters, with each class having a variety of medications 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).
Your physician 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 feel their full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medication is best for you. They may add other medications or mix two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is known as augmenting. The most common augmentation medications are aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can have different side effects. You should discuss these side effects with your physician since they could cause problems in your daily activities. These side effects may be mild or severe depending on the kind of antidepressant that you are taking. treatment for adults with add is also important to inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, including prescription drugs and herbal remedies like St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been known to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is why they are 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 are duloxetine, (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost energy and help you feel more awake. They may be useful for people who have anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are among the most common. These medications can cause jitteriness or insomnia however they can be beneficial for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia and also to aid smokers in quitting.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the notion that emotions, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process which can help you develop new methods to manage anxiety and negative habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.
The aim of CBT is to transform negative thoughts into positive feelings and behaviours. The method is a mix of two different therapies, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy that is often short-term and can be performed in a group or an individual setting. You will be taught a variety of techniques by a therapist and then you will practice them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include: learning to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can also help you identify the negative thoughts that cause ineffective behaviors, and then provide strategies to change these beliefs. They'll also help you develop problem-solving techniques to help you deal with challenges that arise in your everyday life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to develop goals that are SMART (specific goals that are measurable, achievable relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavioral therapy employs an approach that is slightly different but they all are focused on identifying the underlying thoughts that cause emotional distress and changing them. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but most are based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating stimuli with their effects. During treatment you will be rewarded for working through tasks. You will also be punished when you fail to complete the task.
In the initial few sessions, your therapist will work with you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you master the abilities. Depending on the degree of your illness it could take anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of conditions including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD, a condition that is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that consists of regular, scheduled meetings with a counselor (counsellor) to discuss your issues. The typical session lasts about 50 minutes. They can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or via telephone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health problems, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about family, friendship, and relationship issues, as well as issues related to work.
A counselor will listen attentively to your problems and offer an objective perspective. They can detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways to modify them. They can also teach you strategies and coping skills for managing anxiety, stress or depression. They can help you deal with major life changes like divorce or the loss of a loved. They can also teach you how to deal with addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, whereas others may be covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.