Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatments for ADD. Both are essential to test to determine which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and often hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and the basal Ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Dopamine levels are typically increased in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are legal as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, like cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be taken as syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are placed on the skin.
They enhance concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in 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 adverse effects such as a decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interact with certain medicines and medical conditions. It's important to talk with your physician about any concerns.
About 70% to 80 percent of people who take ADHD medications will notice an improvement in symptoms. Different people respond in a different way to the medication, and the effects may not last for long.
Some people aren't a fan of stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their adverse effects. In this case doctors will prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can improve attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to begin working and don't work as fast. They do not raise dopamine levels and have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and the guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most common side effect. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dosage or taking them at the time of bed. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. They are classified based on the way they affect these neurotransmitters, with each group having drugs that work 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 belonging to one of these groups to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. treating adults with adhd may not provide immediate relief, since it could take a few weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the best medication for you. You may also take other medications or mix two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have different adverse effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about these side effects since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These effects can be mild or serious, depending on the type antidepressant that you are taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, such as over-the-counter drugs and herbs like St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have less adverse effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within 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 are duloxetine, (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be utilized to boost energy levels and make you feel more alert. They are beneficial for people with insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are among the most commonly used. These drugs can cause insomnia or jitteriness however they can be beneficial for people suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used to treat the treatment of bulimia as well as for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based upon the belief that emotions and thoughts are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process that helps you discover new methods to manage stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.
The purpose 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. It's a form of psychotherapy that's usually short-term, and it is able to be carried out in a group or individual setting. A therapist will guide you through different methods, and you'll apply them in your daily routine. These techniques include: learning to recognize negative thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping an account of your thoughts.
A therapist will also help you identify the negative thoughts that lead to maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies for changing these assumptions. They will also show you how to tackle issues in your daily life. CBT therapists advise you to establish SMART goals to aid you to track your progress.
While each form of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavior therapies focus on identifying and changing thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ different methods but they all operate on the principles of operant and classic conditioning which involves relating stimuli to their effects. During the therapy the therapist will reward you for completing tasks and will punish you for failing to complete the tasks.
In the initial few sessions your therapist will assist you to identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you build the skills. Depending on the degree of your illness you could require up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of conditions, including anxiety depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective in treating adult ADHD which is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that consists of planned, regular meetings with the therapy (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or by phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health problems, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family, and relationship issues as well as work-related problems.
A counselor will listen attentively to your issues and provide an objective perspective. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can also teach you strategies and coping skills for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can teach you how to deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, and others may be covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health plan from your doctor.