Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. It is important to try both to determine which one is more efficient.
People with classic ADD tend to be inattentional and unorganized, as well as hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and the basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment typically involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of 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 illegally used and often mixed with other substances such as methcathinone and cocaine. They are available in the form of liquids, pills, syrups or patches.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and improve working memory. They are among the most commonly used drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as a decreased appetite, trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can also interfere with certain medications and medical conditions It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
About 70% to 80 percent of those who use ADHD medications will notice reduced symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medications, and the effects aren't always lasting.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or don't like 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 help improve attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to get started and they don't react as fast. They do not raise dopamine levels and they have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and guanfacine. The most common side effect of these medicines is the feeling of drowsiness. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication prior to bedtime. The drowsiness will diminish in the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by how they interact with 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).
A health care provider may start you on a medication from one of these groups in order to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It may take several weeks to feel their full benefits. You and your doctor will decide which medication works best for you. They may add other medications or mix two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is known as augmentation. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are Aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have different side effects. It is recommended to discuss these side effects with your doctor since they could cause problems with your daily activities. These adverse effects can vary from mild to severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been proven to have fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are regarded as 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 utilized for their energizing effects and help you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for those suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness or insomnia, but can be helpful for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used for bulimia and for smoking cessation.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that thoughts and feelings are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented, short-term program that teaches you new ways to cope with negative stressors and bad habits. It can also be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive thoughts or behaviours. The method is an amalgamation of two treatments that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy that is often short-term and can be done in a group or individual setting. You will be taught a variety of methods by a therapist and then you will practice them in your daily life. These techniques include understanding how to recognize negative thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping journals.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that lead you to take on a negative behavior and help you learn to change your beliefs. They will also show you how to deal with problems in your daily life. CBT therapists encourage you to set SMART goals to help you to track your progress.
Although each type of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavior therapies focus on identifying and changing the thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. treatment for add in adults employ different methods however they all are based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating stimuli to their effects. In treatment you will be rewarded for the accomplishment of tasks. You will also be punished for failing to complete them.
In the initial few sessions the therapist will work with you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you master the techniques. Based on the nature of your condition it could take anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
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.
Counseling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled meetings with an therapist (counsellor) to discuss your problems. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health problems, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationships, friendships and family issues as well as work-related difficulties.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your concerns and offer an objective perspective. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can help you learn techniques and coping strategies to manage anxiety, stress, or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can teach you how to deal with chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, whereas others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health plan from your doctor.