Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. Both are important to test to determine which is more effective.
People with classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are legal as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used, often mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be consumed in the form of syrups, pills or liquids, or patches that are applied to the skin.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, insomnia and increased heart rate or blood pressure. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is essential to talk with your doctor regarding any concerns.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in about 70 percent to 80% of those who use them. Not all people respond the same way to the medication, and the effects might not last long.
Some people find that stimulants don't work well or they don't like the adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant medications. These drugs might not be as effective as stimulants, but they can improve focus and attention as well as control impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to get started and they don't react as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants, and they do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and Clonidine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side effect. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dose or taking the medication at the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks of starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of distinct 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 one of these groups to help relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, since it could take several weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medication is best for you. You may also take additional medications or combine two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is referred to as augmenting. The most popular augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine, and lithium.
Different antidepressants can have different adverse effects. You should discuss these side effects with your physician because they could interfere in your daily activities. These side effects may be severe or mild, depending on the type antidepressant that you are taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been known to have fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is why SNRIs are thought to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes 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 your energy levels and make you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of the most commonly used. These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness. However, they can be useful for 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 upon the idea that feelings and thoughts are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a goal-oriented, short-term process that can teach you new strategies to deal with stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive thoughts or behaviours. The technique is a mixture of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It's a form of psychotherapy that is often short-term, and it can be done in a private or group setting. adult adhd treatments will instruct you on different techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your daily life. These techniques include: learning how to recognize negative thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping journals.
A therapist can assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that cause maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies to change these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem-solving techniques to help you deal with challenges that arise in your day-to-day life. CBT therapists will encourage you to establish SMART goals to aid you to keep track of your progress.
While each type of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavior treatments focus on identifying and modifying the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but the majority are built on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the therapy, the person who is treating you will reward you for completing tasks and will punish you for failing to complete them.
In the first few sessions, your therapist will assist you to identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you build the abilities. You could require between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the degree and nature of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a range of conditions, including anxiety depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD which can affect people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy which uses planned, regular meetings with the counselor (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. Usually these sessions last for approximately 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face or in groups. They can also be conducted via phone. Counselling can help people with a range of mental health issues, including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationships, friendships and family issues as well as work-related difficulties.
A counselor will listen attentively to your problems and offer an objective view. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can also teach you strategies and coping skills for managing anxiety, stress, or depression. They can help you cope with major life events, like divorce or the loss of a loved. They can teach you how to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, whereas others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.