Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatment options for ADD. It is crucial to test both to determine which one is more effective.
People with classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They have low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal Ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be illegally used and are often mixed with other substances such as methcathinone and cocaine. treatment of add in adults are available in the form of syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They enhance concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. 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 like a decrease in appetite or trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interact with certain medicines and medical conditions. It is important to speak to your doctor about any concerns.
About 70% to 80 percent of those who take ADHD medications will notice a reduction in symptoms. Not everyone responds the same way to the medication, and the effects may not last for long.
Some people find that stimulants don't work well or they aren't able to handle the side effects. In this situation doctors will prescribe non-stimulant medication. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve focus, attention and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to start working and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and guanfacine. The most frequent adverse effect of these drugs is drowsiness. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking them at bedtime. The drowsiness should diminish within the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by how they act on 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).
Your doctor may 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, as it could take several weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medication is best for you. They can also add other medications or mix two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is known as an augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It's important to talk to 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. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies and prescription drugs such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have less side-effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine within the brain. This is why they are considered to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are utilized for their energizing effects which help you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for those suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of most commonly used. These drugs can cause insomnia or jitteriness but they can be helpful for people suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They can also be used to treat bulimia and to aid in quitting smoking.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based upon the belief that thoughts and feelings are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process that can help you learn new methods to manage stressors and negative habits. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
The aim of CBT is to transform negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. The technique is a mixture of two treatments that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be performed either in a group setting or individually. You will be taught various techniques by a therapist and then you'll apply them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include: the ability to recognize negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A Therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that can lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change these thoughts. They'll also help you develop problem-solving skills so that you can deal with challenges that arise in your day-to-day life. CBT therapists encourage you to establish SMART goals to aid you to track your progress.
While each form of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies are focused on identifying and changing the underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. The therapists will use different methods, but they are all based on the concepts of classical and operant conditioning, which involve associating events with their effects. While you are in treatment you will be awarded for the accomplishment of tasks. You'll also be penalized for failing to complete them.
During the first few sessions the therapist will assist you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They may also assign homework to help you learn the skills. Based on the degree of your illness it could take anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT can be used to treat a number of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD which is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy which uses regular, scheduled meetings with a therapy (counsellor) to discuss your issues. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from a range of mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about family, friendship, and relationship issues, as well as issues related to work.
A counselor will listen attentively to your issues and provide an objective viewpoint. They can discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can help you learn techniques and coping skills for managing stress, anxiety, or depression. They can help you cope with major life events, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how to deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.