Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. It is crucial to test both to determine which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and often hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are available in prescription medications such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be illegally used and often mixed with other substances like methcathinone and cocaine. They are available as pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and help improve working memory. These are the most common medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, insomnia and a rise in heart rate or blood pressure. They may interfere with certain medical treatments and medications, so it's important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Around 70 to 80 percent of those who use ADHD medications will experience reduced symptoms. However, not everyone responds to the same medication, and the effects may not be lasting.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their side effects. In this case doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can improve concentration and focus and control impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to get started and don't work as fast. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants, and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and the guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side effect. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication before the time of bed. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, called neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to how 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 physician may prescribe a medicine that belongs to one of these groups in order to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It may take several weeks to feel their full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine the best medication for you. They may combine two antidepressants, or add other medicines to boost the effects of your treatment. This is called an augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants may have a variety of adverse effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about these side effects, because some could affect your daily activities. These effects can be severe or mild depending on the kind of antidepressant you're taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medication, including herbal remedies and prescription drugs such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been known to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is why they are considered to be more effective than SSRIs. add in adults treatment have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other drugs. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost energy and help you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for those suffering from insomnia or very severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of most popular. These drugs can cause jitteriness or insomnia however they can be beneficial for people suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. treatment for adult adhd are also used to treat bulimia, and to help smokers quit.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the belief that thoughts and feelings are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented that can help you learn new strategies to handle negative thoughts and stressors. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
The goal of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive feelings and behavior. The technique is the combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy that's usually short-term, and can be done in a private or group setting. The therapist will instruct you on various techniques, and you'll practice them in your everyday life. These techniques include understanding how to recognize negative automatic thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping journals.
A therapist will also help you identify the negative thoughts that cause ineffective behaviors, and then provide strategies to change these assumptions. They will also show you how to deal with problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will also guide you to develop SMART goals (specific achievable, measurable relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
Although each type of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavior therapies are focused on identifying and changing the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. The therapists use a variety of methods, but they are all based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves relating events with their effects. During the therapy, the therapist will give you a reward for completing tasks and penalize those who fail to complete them.
In the first few sessions, you and your therapist will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them with healthier ones. You might be assigned homework to help you build the skills. Based on the degree of your illness, you may require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of conditions including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adult ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy which uses regular, scheduled sessions with an counselor (counsellor) to discuss your problems. The typical session lasts around 50 minutes and can be face to face or in groups. They can also be conducted over the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about friendship, family and relationship issues, as well as workplace-related issues.
A counselor will listen attentively to your concerns and provide an objective viewpoint. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can help you learn techniques and coping techniques to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you deal with major life events, such as divorce or the loss of a loved. They can also show you how to deal with addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health plans from your doctor.