Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Drugs and counseling are both effective treatment options for ADD. Both are essential to test to determine which is more efficient.
People with classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and often hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription drugs, including 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 methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available in the form of pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently used drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. They can cause adverse effects such as decreased 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 is essential to talk with your physician about any concerns.
Around 70 to 80% people who are taking ADHD medications will experience reduced symptoms. However, not everyone responds to the same medication, and the effects may not be long-lasting.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or don't like their adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant medications. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they do help improve attention, focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications are more difficult to use and don't perform as efficiently. They do not raise dopamine levels, and they have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and clonidine. The most frequently reported side effect of these medications is the feeling of drowsiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks of starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on how they act on neurotransmitters. Each group has slightly different medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
A health care provider may start you on a medication from one of these groups to help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief. It can take several weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the best treatment for you. You may also take other medications or mix two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. treat adhd in adults are aripiprazole quetiapine, and lithium.
Different antidepressants have different side effects. You should discuss these side effects with your physician, as they may interfere in your daily activities. These side effects may vary from mild to severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have less adverse effects than other types of antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why SNRIs are regarded as more effective than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used for their energizing effects which help you feel more awake. They can be helpful for people with anxiety or insomnia. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are among the most popular. These drugs can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness. However, they can be beneficial for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used for the treatment of bulimia as well as 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 notion that emotions, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that helps you discover new ways to deal with anxiety and negative habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.
The aim of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. The technique is a mixture of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is typically short-term, and can be carried out in a group setting or individually. You will be taught a variety of methods by a therapist and then you will practice them in daily life. These techniques include learning to recognize negative thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping journals.
A therapist will also assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that lead to maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies for changing these beliefs. They will also show you how to tackle issues that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will encourage you to set SMART goals in order to aid you to monitor your progress.
Although each type of cognitive behavior therapy has a slightly different approach but they all are focused on identifying the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress and transforming them. The therapists use a variety of methods, but they are all based on the concepts of operant and classical conditioning, which involves associating events with their effects. During the therapy the therapist will reward you for completing tasks and punish those who fail to complete them.
In the initial sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them by healthy ones. You may be given homework to help you develop the skills. Depending on the nature of your condition you could require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of ailments that include depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adult ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled meetings with a therapist to talk about your concerns. Typically, these sessions last approximately 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face or in groups. They can also be conducted via telephone. Counselling can aid people suffering from various mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about family, friendship, and relationship issues, and also work-related issues.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your issues and provide an objective viewpoint. They can discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can change them. They can help you learn techniques and coping techniques to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes such as divorce or loss of loved ones. They can teach you how to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, and others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health plan from your doctor.