Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatment options for ADD. It is essential to try both to determine which one is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentional and unorganized, as well being hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and the basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, such as methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available in the form of syrups, pills or liquids, or patches which are placed on the skin.
They enhance concentration by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity 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, insomnia and a rise in heart rate or blood pressure. They may interfere with certain medications and medical conditions, so it's important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
Around 70 to 80% people who take ADHD medications will experience an improvement in symptoms. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects may not last long.
Some people aren't a fan of stimulants or can't tolerate their adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs might not be as effective as stimulants, but they can improve attention and focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to begin working and don't work 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. Drowsiness is the most common side effect. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within several weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, called neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on 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).
Your physician may prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It can take several weeks to feel the full benefit. Your doctor and you will decide the best medication for you. They may add other medications or mix two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is referred to as augmenting. The most commonly used augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have different side effects. You should discuss these adverse effects with your doctor, as they may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects can be mild or severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. You should also inform your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have fewer side-effects than other types of antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is why SNRIs are thought to be more effective 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 to boost energy and make you feel more awake. They may be useful for those suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of the most popular. These drugs can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness, but they can be beneficial for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They can also be used to treat bulimia and as a smoking cessation aid.
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 emotions, thoughts and actions are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process that helps you discover new strategies to handle anxiety and negative habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
The purpose of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behavior. The technique is a combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This type of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be done either in a group setting or in a private setting. You will be taught a variety of methods by a therapist and then you'll apply them in daily life. Some of these techniques include the ability to recognize negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem-solving techniques so that you are able to handle challenges that come up in your everyday life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to set goals that are SMART (specific goals that are measurable, achievable relevant, time-based, and relevant) to make it easier to track your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavioral therapy employs an approach that is slightly different but they all are focused on identifying the fundamental thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and transforming them. The therapists will use different techniques, but the majority are based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involve associating events with their effects. During the treatment, the therapist will be rewarded for your accomplishments and penalize those who fail to complete the tasks.
In your first few sessions together, your therapist and you will identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the abilities. treating adults with adhd could require anywhere from six to twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the degree and nature of your condition.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of ailments such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also works for adult ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves planned, regular meetings with a counselor (counsellor) to discuss your issues. The typical session lasts around 50 minutes and can be face to face or in groups. They can also be conducted via telephone. Counselling can be utilized to treat a variety of mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationships, friendships and family issues - as well as work-related difficulties.
A counsellor will pay attention to your issues and provide an objective perspective. They can identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways to alter them. They can help you learn techniques and coping skills for managing anxiety, stress, or depression. They can help you deal with major life events, like divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can also help you learn how to cope with addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health plans from your doctor.