Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. Both are important to determine which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and often hyperactive. They have low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal Ganglia and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants speed up the body's systems. They are available in the form of prescription drugs like amphetamines, methylphenidates, as well as diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be used illegally and are often mixed with other substances such as methcathinone and cocaine. They are available in the form of syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They boost concentration by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased 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.
Around 70 to 80 percent of those who take ADHD medications will notice a reduction in symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medication and the effects aren't always long-lasting.
Some people discover that stimulants don't work for them or they aren't able to handle the negative effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe non-stimulant drugs. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they do help improve focus, attention and control of impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to start working, and they don't act as fast. They don't increase dopamine levels, and they have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and clonidine. The most frequently reported side effect of these medicines is the feeling of drowsiness. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to the time of bed. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks of beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by how they act on neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of distinct medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Your doctor may prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups to ease anxiety or depression 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 determine which medicine is best for you. You may mix two antidepressants or add other medicines to improve the effects of your treatment. This is known as an augmentation. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are Aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have different adverse effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about the side effects as some may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects could be severe or mild depending on the kind of antidepressant that you are taking. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies and prescription drugs like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have fewer side-effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why SNRIs are considered 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 for their energizing effects and help you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for people with insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness. However, they are beneficial to many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. They can also be used to treat the treatment of bulimia as well as for smoking cessation.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that thoughts and feelings are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term program that teaches you new strategies to deal with problems and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive emotions or behaviors. The method is a mix of two therapies, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy that's usually short-term, and is able to be carried out in a group or an individual setting. The therapist will instruct you on various techniques, and you'll practice them in your everyday life. These techniques include: learning to recognize negative automatic thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping a journal.
A therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that can lead to behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies to change these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem-solving skills so that you can handle challenges that come up in your day-to-day life. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals to help you to monitor your progress.
Although each type of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavior therapies focus on identifying and modifying the underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. Therapists employ various methods but they are all based on the principle of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating stimuli to their effects. During treatment you will be awarded for working through tasks. You'll also be punished when you fail to complete them.
In the initial few sessions, your therapist will work with you to identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They may also assign homework to help you learn the techniques. treating adults with adhd is possible that you will require between six and twenty one-onone sessions, based on the degree and nature of your illness.
CBT is effective in treating a range of conditions including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that can affect people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that consists of regular, scheduled sessions with a counselor (counsellor) to discuss your issues. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from various mental health issues like 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 issues and provide an objective viewpoint. They will be able to detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can modify them. They will be able to teach you coping strategies and strategies for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you deal with major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can also show you how to cope with addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health care plans from your doctor.