Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and drugs are both effective treatment options for ADD. It is crucial to test both to determine which one is more efficient.
People with classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal Ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Treatment typically involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants speed up the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally, often mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available as pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They increase the levels 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 the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects such as decreased appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They can interfere with some medical treatments and medications, so it's important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in about 70% to 80% of the people who are taking them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication and the effects aren't always long-lasting.
Certain people find that stimulants aren't working well, or they can't tolerate the adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These drugs might not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can improve attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to effect and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants, and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. treatment adult adhd include Atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and Clonidine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side effect. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to the time of bed. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks of the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter 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 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 to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It can take several weeks to experience their full benefits. treatment adult adhd and you will determine the most effective medication for you. You may also take other medications or combine two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is known as augmenting. The most common augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have distinct adverse effects. You should discuss these side effects with your physician since they could cause problems with your daily activities. These side effects could be mild or severe, depending on the type antidepressant you're taking. You should also tell 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 have been proven to have fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are considered 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 may be useful for those suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness, however they can be beneficial for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used to treat bulimia and for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that emotions, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure which can help you develop new ways to deal with anxiety and negative habits. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive feelings or behaviours. It is a combination of two different therapies which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy that is often short-term and can be done in a private or group setting. You will be taught a variety of techniques by a therapist and then you will practice them in daily life. These techniques include: learning to recognize negative automatic thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping journals.
A therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior and help you learn to change these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem solving techniques to help you handle challenges that come up in your daily life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to develop SMART goals (specific achievable, measurable, relevant, and time-based) to help you track your progress.
While each form of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies focus on identifying and modifying the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ different methods but they all operate on the principles of operant and classical conditioning that involves associating stimuli to their effects. During the treatment, the trainer will give you a reward for completing tasks and penalize you for not completing them.
In the first few sessions, your therapist will help you identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the techniques. You could require anywhere from six to twenty one-onone sessions, based on the severity and nature of your condition.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that can affect people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that uses regular, planned meetings with a therapist in order to discuss your concerns. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can help people with many mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family, and relationship issues as well as work-related issues.
A counsellor will listen carefully to your problems and offer an objective view. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They will be able to teach you strategies for coping and techniques for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can assist you in dealing with major life changes, like divorce or the loss of a loved. They can teach you how to manage addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health care plans from your doctor.