Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. It is essential to try both to determine which is more efficient.
People with classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants accelerate the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally often in combination with other substances, including methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available as pills, syrups, liquids or patches that are placed on the skin.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain's synapses. This improves 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 side effects such as decreased appetite, insomnia and increased heart rate or blood pressure. They can interfere with some medical and pharmaceutical treatments It is important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
About 70-80% people who take ADHD medications will experience a reduction in symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medication and the effects may not be long-lasting.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant medications. These medications may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can boost concentration and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to start working and don't work as fast. They do not raise dopamine levels and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and guanfacine. The most frequent side effect of these medicines is the feeling of drowsiness. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dose or taking them before the time of bed. The drowsiness should diminish within the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to 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).
A medical professional might recommend a medication from one of these groups in order to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, since it could take a few weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide which medication works best for you. You may mix two antidepressants, or add other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. adhd treatment in adults is referred to as an augmentation. The most commonly used augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Antidepressants may have a variety of side effects. It is important to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor, as they may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects may range from mild to severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also inform your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, such as over-the-counter drugs and herbs like St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are known to have fewer side-effects than other types of antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is why they're considered to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be utilized to boost energy and make you feel more awake. They could be helpful for those suffering from insomnia or very severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban, Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, but they are beneficial to many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia, and also to aid smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that thoughts, feelings and actions are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that can help you learn new ways to deal with negative thoughts and stressors. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive feelings or behaviours. It is a combination of two different therapies that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy that is often short-term, and it can be done in a private or group setting. A therapist will teach you various techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include: the ability to recognize negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that cause you to engage in maladaptive behavior and help you learn to change these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem solving techniques so that you are able to deal with challenges that arise in your day-to-day life. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals in order to aid you to keep track of your progress.
Although each type of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies are focused on identifying and changing the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ a variety of methods, but they are all built on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the therapy, the therapist will be rewarded for your accomplishments and penalize you for failing to complete them.
In the first few sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will look for problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be assigned homework to help you build the skills. It is possible that you will require between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the degree and nature of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including anxiety depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It also works for adults with ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to talk about your concerns. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or by phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from various mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss relationship, family and friendship issues, as well as workplace-related problems.
A counselor will listen attentively to your issues and provide an objective view. They can detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways to modify them. They will be able to teach you strategies for coping and techniques to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes, such as divorce or loss of loved ones. They can also teach you how to deal with chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, whereas others are covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health plan from your doctor.