Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. It is important to try both to determine which one is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentive and disorganized, as well as hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment typically involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of the body's systems. They are available in prescription medications such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, as well as diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be illegally used and often mixed with other substances such as cocaine and methcathinone. They are available in the form of liquids, pills, syrups or patches.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can cause side-effects like a decrease in appetite or difficulties sleeping, as well as an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They may interfere with certain medications and medical conditions Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
Around 70 to 80 percent of those who take ADHD medication will experience a reduction in symptoms. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects might not last long.
Some people find that stimulants don't work for them or they aren't able to handle the adverse effects. In this instance doctors may prescribe nonstimulant medication. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they can aid in improving attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs are more difficult to use and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants, and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and Guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side consequence. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dosage or taking them at bedtime. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to how they affect these neurotransmitters with each group having medications that perform 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 doctor may prescribe a medicine that belongs to one of these groups to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the most effective medication for you. You may also take other medications or combine two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is known as an augmentation. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are Aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have distinct side effects. It is important to discuss these side effects with your doctor because they could interfere in your daily activities. These adverse effects may be mild or extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. Inform treating adult adhd if you're taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies and prescription drugs such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are known to have fewer side-effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason they're believed to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are utilized to boost your energy levels which help you feel more awake. They can be helpful for people with insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness or insomnia but they can be helpful for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used to treat the treatment of bulimia as well as to aid in quitting smoking.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the notion that feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented that helps you discover new ways to deal with stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.
The goal of CBT is to transform negative thoughts into positive emotions and behavior. The technique is a mixture of two therapies, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy that's usually short-term and can be performed in a private or group setting. A therapist will teach you various methods, and you'll apply them in your everyday life. These techniques include: understanding how to recognize negative thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping an account of your thoughts.
A therapist can assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that can lead to maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies to change these assumptions. They'll also teach you problem-solving skills so that you can handle challenges that come up in your daily life. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals in order to make it easier for you to track your progress.
Although each type of cognitive behavioral therapy takes an approach that is slightly different, they all focus on identifying the fundamental mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and then changing them. Therapists employ a variety of techniques, but the majority are based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involve associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. While you are in treatment you will be awarded for working through tasks. Additionally, you will be penalized when you fail to complete the task.
During your first few sessions, you and your therapist will identify problematic behaviors and replace them by healthy ones. You may be given homework to help you develop the skills. You could require anywhere from six to twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the severity and nature of your illness.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of disorders 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 planned, regular meetings with a therapist (counsellor) to discuss your issues. The typical session lasts around 50 minutes and can be face to face in groups, or over the telephone. Counselling can be utilized to treat a variety of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss relationship, family and friendship issues as well as work-related problems.
A counsellor will pay attention to your issues and provide an objective viewpoint. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They will be able to teach you coping skills and techniques to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in dealing with major life changes, like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how to deal with addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, and others may be covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.