Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. It is crucial to test both to determine which one is more efficient.
People with classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants accelerate the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally frequently mixed with other substances, such as methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available as liquids, pills, syrups or patches.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, sleep disturbances and a rise in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is essential to talk with your physician about any concerns.
Medications can reduce ADHD symptoms in about 70% to 80% of the people who are taking them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication, and the effects may not be long-lasting.
Some people aren't a fan of stimulants or don't like their adverse effects. In this instance doctors will prescribe non-stimulant medications. These medications may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve concentration and focus and control impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to begin working and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants and do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and the clonidine. The most frequent side effect of these medications is the feeling of drowsiness. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to bedtime. The drowsiness will diminish in the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to the way they affect these neurotransmitters, with each class having a variety of 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).
A health care provider might recommend one of these groups in order to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, as it can take weeks before you feel the full benefits. You and your doctor will determine which medication is best for you. They may add other medications or combine two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants may have a variety of adverse effects. It is important to speak with your doctor about these side effects since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These side effects may range from mild to severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant 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 have been proven to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why SNRIs are considered more efficient than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost energy and make you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of most commonly used. These medications can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness. However, they can be beneficial for many 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 behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the notion that feelings and thoughts are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process that can help you learn new ways to deal with anxiety and negative habits. It can also be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
The purpose of CBT is to transform negative thoughts into positive feelings and behaviors. The technique is the combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term, and can be carried out in a group or in a private setting. You will be taught various techniques by a therapist and then you'll use them in daily life. These techniques include: learning to recognize negative thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a journal.
A therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that lead you to take on a negative behavior and teach you how to change your beliefs. They'll also teach you problem-solving techniques so that you are able to handle challenges that come up in your everyday life. CBT therapists advise you to establish SMART goals to aid you to monitor your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavioral therapy employs an approach that is slightly different but they all are focused on identifying the underlying thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and changing them. Therapists employ a variety of techniques, but the majority are based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. In treatment you will be awarded for working through tasks. Additionally, you will be punished when you fail to complete them.
During your initial sessions together, your therapist and you will identify problematic behaviors and replace them by healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you master the abilities. It is possible that you will require anywhere from six to twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the nature and severity of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a range of conditions, including anxiety depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It can also be effective for adults suffering from ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that consists of regular, scheduled meetings with a counselor (counsellor) to discuss your problems. Typically, these sessions last approximately 50 minutes and may be face-to-face or in groups. adhd treatment for adults can also be conducted via the telephone. Counselling can be utilized to treat a variety of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationships, friendships and family issues, as well as issues related to work.
A counselor will listen to your concerns and offer an objective viewpoint. They will be able to discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can help you learn techniques and coping techniques to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you adjust to major life changes such as divorce or loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how to deal with addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health care plans from your doctor.