Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. Both are crucial to test to determine which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and often hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of the body's systems. They are legal as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, such as methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available in the form of liquids, pills, syrups or patches.
They enhance concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, and improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, insomnia and increased blood pressure or heart rate. They can interfere with some medications and medical conditions It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
About 70-80% people who take ADHD medication 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 find that stimulants aren't working well, or they can't tolerate the adverse effects. In this case doctors will prescribe non-stimulant medications. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can boost concentration and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs are more difficult to use and aren't as effective. They don't raise dopamine levels and have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and clonidine. Drowsiness is the most common side effect. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at the time of bed. The drowsiness should diminish within the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to the way they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having medications that perform 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).
A medical professional might recommend a medication from one of these groups in order to relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks before you feel the full benefit. Your doctor and you will determine the most effective medication for you. They can mix two antidepressants or add other medicines to improve the effectiveness of your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are Aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have different side effects. It is recommended to discuss these side effects with your physician since they could cause problems with your daily activities. These side effects could be mild or serious depending on the kind of antidepressant you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies and prescription drugs such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have fewer side-effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
treating add in adults increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why SNRIs are considered more efficient 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 can be used to boost your energy levels and help you feel more awake. They are beneficial for those suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of the most common. These medications can cause insomnia or jitteriness however they can be beneficial for people suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used for the treatment of bulimia as well as 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 notion that feelings, thoughts and behaviours are all connected and can be changed. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented which can help you develop new methods to manage anxiety and negative habits. It can also be used to treat anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive emotions or behaviors. The technique is an amalgamation of two treatments which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term, and can be carried out in a group setting or on an individual basis. A therapist will guide you through different techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include learning to recognize your negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.
A Therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that can lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior and teach you how to change your beliefs. They will also show you how to solve problems in your daily life. CBT therapists will encourage you to set SMART goals to help you to monitor your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavioral therapy takes a slightly different approach, they all focus on identifying the thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and transforming them. The therapists will use different techniques, but the majority are built on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating stimuli with their effects. During the treatment the person who is treating you will be rewarded for your accomplishments and punish you for not completing them.
In your initial sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them with healthier ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the skills. Based on the severity of your condition you could require between 6 and 20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of ailments such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD which can affect people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy which uses regular, scheduled meetings with the therapist (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. Typically, these sessions last around 50 minutes and can be face to face or in groups. They can also be conducted over the telephone. Counselling can aid people suffering from many mental health issues including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationship, friendship and family issues, as well as work-related difficulties.
A counselor will listen to your concerns and offer an objective perspective. They can discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can teach you techniques and coping skills for managing stress, anxiety, or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes like divorce or loss of loved ones. They can help you learn to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
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.