Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and drugs are both effective treatments for ADD. It is essential to try both to determine which is more effective.
People with classic ADD tend to be irritable and unorganized, aswell as hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, as well as diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be used illegally and often mixed with other substances such as methcathinone and cocaine. They are available as pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They boost concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can cause negative side effects, such as a decreased appetite, sleep disturbances and increased heart rate or blood pressure. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk to your doctor about any concerns.
Medications can reduce ADHD symptoms in around 70 percent to 80% of those who use them. Not everyone responds the same way to the medication and the effects may not last long.
Some people aren't a fan of stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their negative effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants, but they can help improve attention, focus and control impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs are more difficult to use 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 atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and the clonidine. The most common side effect of these medications is drowsiness. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks of the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group contains 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 doctor may prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups in order to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. adhd treatment in adults may not offer immediate relief, since it could take a few weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the best treatment for you. They may combine two antidepressants or other medicines to improve the effectiveness of your treatment. This is referred to as an augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are Aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can have different 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 can range from mild to severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant that you're taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, such as prescription drugs and herbal remedies such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have less side-effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is the reason 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 primarily used to boost your energy levels and help you feel more alert. They are beneficial for people with anxiety or insomnia. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness. However, they can be useful for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used to treat bulimia and to aid in quitting smoking.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that thoughts, feelings and behaviours are all connected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process which can help you develop new methods to manage stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety.
The aim of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behavior. The method is a mix of two treatments that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be performed in a group or individually. A therapist will teach you different techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily routine. Some of these techniques include: the ability to recognize negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can help you identify the negative thoughts that can lead to maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies to change these assumptions. They will also show you how to deal with problems in your daily life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to develop SMART goals (specific achievable, measurable, relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
While each type of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies are focused on identifying and changing the thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ a variety of methods, but they are all based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves relating stimuli with their effects. During the treatment the person who is treating you will reward you for completing tasks and punish you for failing to complete the tasks.
During your initial sessions, you and your therapist will identify problematic behaviors and replace them by healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you learn the skills. Depending on the severity of your condition you could require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of conditions, including anxiety depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It also works for adults suffering from ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that uses regular, planned meetings with a therapist to talk about your concerns. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from many mental health issues including schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about friendship, family and relationship issues as well as work-related issues.
A counselor will pay attention to your concerns and provide an objective perspective. They will be able to discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways to modify them. They will be able to teach you coping skills and techniques to manage 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 show you how to manage addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others may be covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health plan from your doctor.