Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. It is essential to try both to determine which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and often hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and the basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be used illegally and are often mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone. They are available in the form of liquids, pills, syrups or patches.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, insomnia and increased blood pressure or heart rate. They can interact with certain medicines and medical conditions. It is important to speak with your physician about any concerns.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in 70% to 80% of people who use them. Not all people respond the same way to the medication and the effects may not last long.
Some people discover that stimulants don't work well or they don't like the negative effects. In this case, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs might not be as effective as stimulants, but they can boost attention and focus and control impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines are more difficult to use and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine), guanfacine, and the clonidine. The most frequent side effect of these medicines is sleepiness. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking them at bedtime. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks of beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. They are classified according to the way they affect these neurotransmitters, with each group having medications that act 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 that belongs to one of these groups in order to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the best medication for you. They can mix two antidepressants or other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is referred to as augmenting. The most popular augmentation medicines are aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can cause a variety of side effects. It is important to speak with your doctor about these side effects as some may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects may be mild or severe dependent on the type of antidepressant you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medication, including herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been proven to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is why SNRIs are considered more effective 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 are used to boost your energy levels and make you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of most commonly used. These drugs can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, but they can be useful for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. They can also be used to treat bulimia and for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based upon the belief that thoughts and feelings are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term program that teaches you new methods to deal with stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
The purpose of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviours. The method is an amalgamation of two treatments that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be performed in a group setting or in a private setting. A therapist will teach you different methods, and you'll apply them in your daily routine. These techniques include: learning to recognize negative thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping a journal.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that cause you to engage in maladaptive behavior and help you learn to change these beliefs. They'll also help you develop problem-solving techniques to help you deal with challenges that arise in your everyday life. CBT therapists will also guide you to develop goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavior therapy has a slightly different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the underlying mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and changing them. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but the majority are based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves associating events with their effects. In treatment, you will be rewarded for working through tasks. You'll also be punished if you fail to complete the task.
In the initial few sessions your therapist will help you identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be assigned homework to help you master the skills. You could require anywhere between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the degree and nature of your illness.
CBT can be used to treat a number of disorders, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adults suffering from ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that consists of regular, scheduled sessions with a counselor (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about relationship, family and friendship issues as well as work-related issues.
adult add treatments will listen to your concerns and offer an objective view. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can also teach you strategies and coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you cope with major life changes like divorce or the loss of a loved. They can also teach you how to deal with chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health plans from your doctor.