Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. Both are crucial to test to determine which is more efficient.
People with classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, as well as diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be used illegally and are often mixed with other substances like methcathinone and cocaine. They are available in the form of pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They improve concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and help improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can trigger adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, insomnia and increased blood pressure or heart rate. They can also interfere with certain medications and medical conditions, so it's important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
About 70-80% people who use ADHD medications will notice an improvement in symptoms. However, not everyone responds to the same medication, and the effects may not be long-lasting.
Some people don't like stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their side effects. In this instance doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve focus, attention and control impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs are more difficult to use and don't perform as efficiently. They don't raise dopamine levels and have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and the guanfacine. The most frequent side effect of these medications is sleepiness. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dose or taking the medication before bedtime. The drowsiness will subside in the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, called neurotransmitters. They are classified according to the way they affect 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 health care provider might prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It can take several weeks before you feel their full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide which medication works best for you. You may also take other medications or combine two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is referred to as an augmentation. The most commonly used enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
add treatments for adults can cause a variety of side effects. You should discuss these side effects with your physician, as they may interfere in your daily activities. These adverse effects can vary from mild to severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant that you're taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are known to have less adverse effects than other types of antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are regarded as more effective 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 can be used to boost your energy levels and make you feel more awake. They could be helpful for people who have insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause insomnia or jitteriness but they can be helpful for people suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia and also to aid smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that emotions, thoughts and actions are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term program that teaches you new ways to cope with negative stressors and bad habits. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and emotions into positive feelings or behaviours. The technique is the combination of two therapies: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It's a form of psychotherapy which is usually short-term, and is able to be carried out in a group or individual setting. You will be taught different techniques by a therapist, and then you'll use them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include: being able to recognize your negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can also assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that cause maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies for changing these assumptions. They'll also help you develop problem-solving techniques so that you are able to deal with challenges that arise in your everyday life. CBT therapists will encourage you to set SMART goals in order to help you to track your progress.
Although each type of cognitive behavior therapy has an entirely different approach, they all focus on identifying the fundamental mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and changing them. The therapists use a variety of methods, but they are all based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves associating stimuli with their effects. During treatment you will be rewarded for working through tasks. You will also be punished if you fail to complete them.
In the initial few sessions, your therapist will work with you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be assigned homework to help you master the skills. It is possible that you will require anywhere from six to twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the degree and nature of your illness.
CBT is effective in treating a range of conditions including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that can affect people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist (counsellor) to discuss your problems. Typically, these sessions last approximately 50 minutes and may be face-to-face in groups, or via phone. Counselling can help people with many mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationship, friendship and family issues, as well as issues related to work.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your problems and provide an objective viewpoint. They will be able to identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways you can change them. They will be able to teach you coping strategies and strategies for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you adjust to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can help you learn to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.