Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Drugs and counseling are both effective treatment options for ADD. Both are important to test to see which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be irritable and disorganized, as well as hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and the thalamus. 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 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 often mixed with other substances such as cocaine and methcathinone. They are available in the form of syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and enhance working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults 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. treatment for adult add may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is important to speak to your doctor about any concerns.
About 70% to 80 percent of those who take ADHD medications will experience a reduction in symptoms. However, not everyone responds to the same medication and the effects aren't always long-lasting.
Some people don't like stimulants or can't tolerate their negative effects. In this instance doctors will prescribe non-stimulant medications. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they do aid in improving attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to get started and don't work as fast. They do not raise dopamine levels and they have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and Clonidine. The most common side effect of these medications is drowsiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication before bedtime. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters. They are classified according to the way they affect these neurotransmitters, with each group having drugs 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).
A doctor may start you on one of these groups to help alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, as it can take weeks before you feel the full benefits. You and your doctor will determine which medication is best for you. You may mix two antidepressants, or add other medicines to improve the effects of your treatment. This is called augmenting. The most common augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine, and lithium.
Antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects, since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These adverse effects may be mild or severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. Inform 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 have been found to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is why they are considered to be 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 can be utilized to boost your energy levels and make you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people suffering from anxiety or insomnia. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness, but they are beneficial to many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia and to assist smokers in quitting.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the belief that thoughts and feelings are connected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process which can help you develop new methods to manage stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
The goal of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive feelings and behaviors. The technique is the combination of two therapies that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy that is often short-term, and can be performed in a private or group setting. A therapist will teach you different techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your daily routine. These techniques include learning how to recognize negative thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping an account of your thoughts.
A therapist can also help you identify the negative thoughts that cause behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies to change these beliefs. They will also help you learn how to solve problems in your daily life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to develop SMART goals (specific achievable, measurable relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavioral therapy employs a slightly different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the underlying thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and transforming them. Therapists employ different methods but they are all based on the principles operant and classical conditioning, which involves the association of stimuli with their effects. During treatment you will be rewarded for working through tasks. Additionally, you will be penalized when you fail to complete the task.
During the first few sessions the therapist will work with you to identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the techniques. Based on the degree of your illness it could take between 6 and 20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a range of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It can also be effective for adults suffering from ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy which uses regular, scheduled meetings with an counselor (counsellor) to discuss your problems. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health problems that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationships, friendships and family issues and also work-related issues.
A counsellor will pay attention to your concerns and offer an objective perspective. They will be able to discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. treatment for adults with add will be able to teach you coping skills and strategies for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you cope with major life changes like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also help you learn how to manage addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health care plans from your doctor.