Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include drugs and counselling. Both are essential to test to see which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and often hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants accelerate the body's systems. They are available in the form of prescription drugs like 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 can be taken as pills, syrups or liquids, or patches which are applied to the skin.
They boost concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and help improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, insomnia and a rise in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is important to speak to your doctor about any concerns.
About 70-80 percent of people who use ADHD medication will experience a reduction in symptoms. Different people respond in a different way to the medication, and the effects might not last long.
Certain people find that stimulants don't work for them or they aren't able to handle the adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve concentration and focus and control impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs are more difficult to use and don't perform as efficiently. They don't increase dopamine levels and have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and Guanfacine. The most frequent side effect of these medicines is drowsiness. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dosage or taking them at the time of bed. The drowsiness will subside in a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to the way they affect these neurotransmitters with each class having a variety of medications that work 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 doctor may start you on one of these groups to help relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, as it could take a few weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medication is best for you. They can mix two antidepressants, or add other medicines to boost the effects of your treatment. treating adult add is referred to as augmenting. The most popular augmentation medicines are Aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have different adverse effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These effects may range from mild to severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, such as prescription drugs and herbal remedies such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been proven to have fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs are 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 SNRIs are thought 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 used to boost energy and help you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people suffering from anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness or insomnia, but can be helpful for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They can also be used to treat the treatment of bulimia as well as for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the idea that emotions, thoughts and behaviours are all connected and can be changed. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented that helps you discover new strategies to handle anxiety and negative habits. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and emotions into positive emotions or behaviors. The method is the combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be done in a group or in a private setting. The therapist will instruct you on different techniques, and you'll practice them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include being able to recognize your negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.
A therapist will also help you identify the negative thoughts that can lead to behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies to change these beliefs. They will also teach you how to solve problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists encourage you to establish SMART goals to aid you to monitor your progress.
Although each type of cognitive behavioral therapy employs a slightly different approach, they all focus on identifying the thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and then changing them. Therapists employ different methods but they all operate on the principles operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating stimuli to their effects. During the treatment the therapist will reward you for completing tasks and will punish those who fail to complete the tasks.
During your initial sessions together, your therapist and you will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them by healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the skills. It is possible that you will require between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the degree and nature of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including anxiety depression, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that affects people as young seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, planned meetings with a therapist 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 by phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from various mental health issues, including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationships, friendships and family issues - as well as issues related to work.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your problems and provide an objective viewpoint. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They will be able to teach you coping skills and strategies for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you adjust to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also help you learn how to manage addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, and others may be covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.