Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatment options for ADD. It is essential to try both to determine which one is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentional and unorganized, as well as hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and the basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment typically involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used often in combination with other substances, such as methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available as syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They enhance concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can trigger negative side effects, such as a decreased appetite, sleep disturbances and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interfere with certain medications and medical conditions It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in 70% to 80% of the people who take them. However, not all people respond to the same medication, and the effects may not be long-lasting.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or can't tolerate their adverse effects. In this case, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant medications. These drugs may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can improve focus and attention and control impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs are more difficult to use and don't perform as efficiently. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants, and they do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side result. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks of the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by how they interact with neurotransmitters. Each group has distinct medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
A doctor may start you on one of these groups to help alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. untreated adhd in adults might not provide immediate relief, since 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. They can mix two antidepressants or other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most popular enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine, and lithium.
Different antidepressants have distinct side effects. You should discuss these adverse effects with your doctor, as they may interfere with your daily activities. These effects can be severe or mild, depending on the type antidepressant that you are taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medications, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been proven to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within 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 drugs. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used to boost energy levels and help you feel more awake. They could be helpful for people who have anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness. However, they can be beneficial for many people suffering from 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 therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that emotions and thoughts are connected and can be altered. CBT is a measurable, short-term program that teaches you new ways to cope with stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.
The goal of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviours. It is a combination of two treatments which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy which is usually short-term and can be performed in a group or individual setting. A therapist will teach you different techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include: the ability to recognize negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that lead you to engage in maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change these beliefs. They will also teach you how to solve problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists encourage you to establish SMART goals to aid you to track your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavior therapy has an entirely different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the thoughts that cause emotional distress and then changing them. Therapists employ different methods but they are all based on the principles operant and classic conditioning which involves relating stimuli to their effects. During the therapy, the person who is treating you will be rewarded for your accomplishments and will punish you for not completing them.
During the first few sessions your therapist will work with you to identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They might also assign homework to help you learn the abilities. Depending on the severity of your condition it could take between 6 and 20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a range of conditions including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It also works for adults with ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that uses regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to talk about your concerns. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can help people with various mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationship, friendship and family issues, as well as work-related difficulties.
A counselor will pay attention to your issues and provide an objective perspective. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can also teach you strategies and coping techniques to manage stress, anxiety, or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes, such as divorce or loss of a loved one. They can teach you how to deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, whereas others may be covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health plan from your doctor.