Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. It is essential to try both to determine which is more efficient.
People with classic ADD tend to be irritable and unorganized, as well being hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally often in combination with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available in the form of syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They boost concentration by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity 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 an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. They can interfere with some medications and medical conditions It is important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in about 70 percent to 80% of people who take them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication and the effects may not be long-lasting.
Some people don't like stimulants or don't like their side effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to start working and they don't react as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants, and do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most frequent 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 of starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to how they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having 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).
Your physician may prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief. It could take a few weeks to experience the full benefit. You and your doctor will determine which medication is best for you. You may also take other medications or combine two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is called augmenting. The most popular augmentation medicines are Aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have distinct adverse effects. It is important to speak with your doctor about the side effects since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These side effects can be mild or extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medication, including herbal remedies and prescription drugs such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been found to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are considered more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs 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) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause insomnia or jitteriness however they can be beneficial for those suffering from 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 a scientifically-based treatment for mental health issues. treating adult adhd is based on the idea that feelings, thoughts and behaviours are all connected and can be changed. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented which can help you develop new ways to deal with anxiety and negative habits. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
The purpose of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behavior. It is the combination of two therapies: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be done in a group setting or on an individual basis. You will be taught a variety of techniques by a therapist and then you'll use them in daily life. These techniques include learning how to recognize negative thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a journal.
A therapist will also help you identify the negative thoughts that cause maladaptive behaviors and then provide strategies to change these beliefs. They will also show you how to tackle issues in your daily routine. CBT therapists encourage you to set SMART goals in order to make it easier for you to monitor your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavioral therapy employs an entirely different approach but they all are focused on identifying the fundamental thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and then changing them. Therapists employ various methods but they are all based on the principles of operant and classic conditioning which involves associating stimuli to their effects. During the therapy, the trainer will reward you for completing tasks and will punish you for not completing them.
In your first few sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will look for problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They may also assign homework to help you develop the techniques. You could require between six and twenty one-onone sessions, based on the nature and severity of your illness.
CBT can be used to treat a number of disorders, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adults with ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that consists of regular, scheduled meetings with an therapist (counsellor) to discuss your problems. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from a range of mental health issues like depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about friendship, family and relationship issues, as well as workplace-related issues.
A counselor will listen attentively to your concerns and provide an objective viewpoint. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can teach you techniques and coping skills for managing anxiety, stress, or depression. They can help you cope with major life changes such as divorce or the loss of a loved. They can also help you learn how to deal with 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.