Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. Both are important to test to see which is more efficient.
People with classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are available in the form of prescription drugs like amphetamines, methylphenidates, and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be illegally used and often mixed with other substances like methcathinone and cocaine. They are available as syrups, pills or liquids, or patches that are placed on the skin.
They enhance concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can cause side effects such as decreased appetite, insomnia and increased blood pressure or heart rate. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is important to speak with your doctor regarding any concerns.
Around 70 to 80% people who take ADHD medications will notice an improvement in symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medication, and the effects may not be lasting.
Some people discover that stimulants don't work for them or they don't like the adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These medications may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can improve focus and attention and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to begin working and they don't react as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants and don't increase dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and the clonidine. The most common adverse effect of these drugs is the feeling of drowsiness. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dose or taking them before the time of sleep. The drowsiness will diminish in a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. treat adult add are classified based on how they affect these neurotransmitters, with each group having medications that act 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).
Your health care provider might prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups in order to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It can take several weeks to experience their full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine the best treatment for you. They may add additional medications or combine two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is called an augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are Aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about these side effects, as some may interfere with your daily activities. These effects can be mild or severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant you're taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medications, including herbal remedies and prescription drugs such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have less side-effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is why SNRIs are considered more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely 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 awake. They could be helpful 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 drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness, however they can be beneficial for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. They can also be used to treat bulimia and to aid in quitting smoking.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that thoughts and feelings are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented that can help you learn new ways to deal with anxiety and negative habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
The aim of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive feelings and behaviours. The method is an amalgamation of two treatments: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be performed in a group or in a private setting. You will be taught different techniques by a therapist, and then you will practice them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include being able to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist will also help you identify the negative thoughts that cause behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies to change these assumptions. They'll also help you develop problem-solving techniques so that you are able to deal with challenges that arise in your everyday life. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals to help you to monitor your progress.
While each form of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavior therapies focus on identifying and modifying the underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. Therapists employ a variety of techniques, but most are based on the concepts of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating events with their effects. During the treatment, the person who is treating you will reward you for completing tasks and penalize you for failing to complete them.
In the first few sessions, you and your therapist will identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be assigned homework to help you build the skills. You may need between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the degree and nature of your illness.
CBT is effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including anxiety depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It can also be effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves regular, planned meetings with a therapist to talk about your issues. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can be utilized to treat a variety of mental health problems, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about friendship, family and relationship issues, as well as workplace-related problems.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your concerns and offer an objective perspective. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can teach you coping strategies and strategies for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes such as divorce or loss of loved ones. They can help you learn to deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health care plans from your doctor.