Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. Both are crucial to test to see which is more efficient.
People with classic ADD tend to be inattentional and unorganized, as well being hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants speed up the body's systems. They are available in prescription medications such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, as well as diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and are often mixed with other substances such as cocaine and methcathinone. They are available as pills, syrups or liquids, or patches which are applied to the skin.
They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, and improve working memory. They are the most frequently used medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, insomnia and a rise in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interfere with some medications and medical conditions Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in about 70% to 80% of the people who use them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication and the effects aren't always lasting.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or don't like their side effects. In this situation doctors will prescribe non-stimulant medication. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but they can aid in improving attention, focus and control impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to start working and they don't react as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and Guanfacine. The most frequent side effect of these medicines is drowsiness. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group has slightly different medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
A doctor might suggest you start taking a medication from one of these groups to relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief. It could take a few weeks before you feel the full benefit. You and your doctor will decide which medication works best for you. They may combine two antidepressants or other medications to enhance the effects of your treatment. This is referred to as an augmentation. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have different adverse effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects, as some may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects could be mild or severe dependent on the type of antidepressant that you are taking. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medications, including herbal remedies and prescription drugs such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been found to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why they are considered to be more effective than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. The SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are utilized for their energizing effects and help you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are among the most popular. These medications can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness, however they can be useful for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. adhd treatment in adults are also used to treat bulimia and to help smokers quit.
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 connected and can be altered. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented that can help you learn new strategies to handle anxiety and negative habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
The goal of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. The method is a mix of two treatments that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term, and can be carried out in a group or individually. You will be taught different techniques by a therapist and then you'll apply them in your daily life. These techniques include learning to recognize negative automatic thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a journal.
A Therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that can lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior and help you learn to change your beliefs. They'll also help you develop problem-solving skills so that you can deal with challenges that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will also guide you to set goals that are SMART (specific achievable, measurable relevant, time-based, and relevant) to make it easier to track your progress.
While each type of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavior treatments focus on identifying and changing the thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. The therapists use a variety of methods, but they are all built on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involve associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. While you are in treatment you will be awarded for working through tasks. Additionally, you will be penalized for failing to complete them.
In the first few sessions, your therapist will work with you to identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be assigned homework to help you master the skills. It is possible that you will require anywhere from six to twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the nature and severity of your illness.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled meetings with an therapist (counsellor) to discuss your problems. Typically, these sessions last about 50 minutes. They can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or via the telephone. Counselling can aid people suffering from various mental health issues including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationships, friendships and family issues, and also work-related issues.
A counsellor will pay attention to your issues and provide an objective perspective. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can teach you strategies for coping and techniques for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how 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 plans from your doctor.