Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Drugs and counseling are both effective treatment options for ADD. It is important to try both to determine which one is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment typically involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants accelerate the body's systems. They are available in prescription medications such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, as well as diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and often mixed with other substances such as methcathinone and cocaine. They can be consumed as pills, syrups or liquids, or patches which are applied to the skin.
They boost concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and enhance working memory. They are among the most commonly used medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping and an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk with your physician about any concerns.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in 70% to 80% of people who are taking them. Different people respond in a different way to the medication, and the effects might not last long.
Certain people find that stimulants don't work for them or they aren't able to handle the negative effects. In this case doctors will prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These medications may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can help improve attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs are more difficult to use and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants, and they don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. adhd treatment adults include atomoxetine and clonidine and Guanfacine. The most common side effect of these medications is sleepiness. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to 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. The medications are grouped by how they act on neurotransmitters. Each group has somewhat different medications. 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 belonging to one of these groups in order to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It can take several weeks before you feel the full benefit. You and your doctor will determine which medication is best for you. They can also add other medications or mix two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most common enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have distinct side 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 vary from mild to extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medication, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs 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. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are regarded as 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 awake. They are beneficial for people with anxiety or insomnia. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of most popular. These medications can cause jitteriness or insomnia, but can be helpful for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used for the treatment of bulimia as well as as a smoking cessation aid.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the belief that feelings and thoughts are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a measurable, short-term procedure that can teach you new strategies to deal with negative stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive feelings or behaviours. The method is a combination of two therapies that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy which is usually short-term, and it is able to be carried out in a group or an individual setting. The therapist will instruct you on various methods, and you'll apply them in your daily life. These techniques include understanding how to recognize negative automatic thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping an account of your thoughts.
A Therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that can lead you to take on a negative behavior and help you learn to change these beliefs. They will also help you learn how to tackle issues in your daily routine. CBT therapists advise you to establish SMART goals to help you to keep track of your progress.
While each type of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies focus on identifying and modifying the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but most are built on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the therapy, the person who is treating you will give you a reward for completing tasks and penalize those who fail to complete them.
During your initial sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be given homework to help you master the skills. It is possible that you will require anywhere between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the nature and severity of your illness.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of ailments, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective in treating adult ADHD which is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to talk about your concerns. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from various mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss relationship, family and friendship issues, as well as workplace-related issues.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your concerns and offer an objective perspective. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can teach you strategies for coping and techniques for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you deal with major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a loved. They can also teach you how to manage 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.