Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatment options for ADD. Both are important to test to see which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and often hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available in the form of prescription drugs like amphetamines, methylphenidates and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be illegally used and are often mixed with other substances like methcathinone and cocaine. They can be taken as pills, syrups or liquids, or patches that are placed on the skin.
They improve concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are the most frequently used drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite or trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk to your doctor about any concerns.
Around 70 to 80 percent of people who are taking ADHD medications will experience a reduction in symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medication, and the effects don't always long-lasting.
Some people don't like stimulants or can't tolerate their adverse effects. In this situation doctors will prescribe non-stimulant medications. adhd adult treatment may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can boost attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to work and don't perform as efficiently. They don't increase dopamine levels, and they have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and the guanfacine. The most common side effect of these medications is drowsiness. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to the time of bed. The drowsiness will diminish in a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on how they act on neurotransmitters. Each group contains slightly different medications. 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 may not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the most effective medication for you. You may mix two antidepressants or add other medicines to improve the effectiveness of your treatment. This is known as augmenting. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are Aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It is recommended to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor, as they may interfere in your daily activities. These side effects could be mild or severe, depending on the type antidepressant you're taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medication, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been proven to have fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are thought to be more effective 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 are used to boost energy levels and make you feel more alert. They may be useful for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of the most commonly used. These medications can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness, but they can be useful for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used for the treatment of bulimia as well as for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is a measurable, short-term process that can teach you new methods to deal with negative stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive thoughts or behaviours. The technique is an amalgamation of two treatments: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy that's usually short-term and can be done in a group or an individual setting. A therapist will guide you through different methods, and you'll apply them in your everyday life. These techniques include learning how to recognize negative thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping journals.
A therapist will also help you identify negative thoughts that can lead to behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies for changing these assumptions. They'll also help you develop problem-solving skills so that you can deal with challenges that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals to aid you to monitor your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavioral therapy employs a slightly different approach, they all focus on identifying the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress and transforming them. The therapists will use different techniques, but the majority are built on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involve associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During treatment you will be rewarded for completing tasks. You'll also be penalized when you fail to complete them.
In the first few sessions, your therapist will help you identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be given homework to help you develop the skills. You could require anywhere between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the degree and nature of your condition.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of disorders, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). It can also be effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that affects people as young seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to discuss your concerns. Usually these sessions last for approximately 50 minutes and can be face to face or in groups. They can also be conducted via phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health problems that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationship, friendship and family issues, as well as issues related to work.
A counsellor will pay attention to your problems and provide an objective viewpoint. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can help you learn techniques and coping techniques to manage anxiety, stress or depression. They can help you deal with major life changes, like divorce or the loss of a loved. They can also teach you how to deal with addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health plans from your doctor.