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 is more effective.
People with classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and often hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and the basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are available in prescription medications such as amphetamines, methylphenidates and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and often mixed with other substances such as methcathinone and cocaine. They are available in the form of syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently used medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can cause side-effects such as a decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk with your doctor regarding any concerns.
Around 70 to 80% people who are taking ADHD medications will notice a reduction in symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medication and the effects may not be lasting.
Some people discover that stimulants don't work well or they aren't able to handle the adverse effects. In this case doctors will prescribe non-stimulant medications. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants but they can help improve focus, attention and control of impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to get started and they don't react as quickly. They don't increase dopamine levels, and they have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and clonidine. Drowsiness is the most common side effect. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication prior to bedtime. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. They are classified according to the way they affect 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 offer immediate relief, as it can take weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the most effective medication for you. They can mix two antidepressants, or add other medicines to boost the effectiveness of your treatment. This is known as an augmentation. The most common augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have different adverse effects. It is recommended to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor since they could cause problems with your daily activities. These effects can be severe or mild dependent on the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're using, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been proven to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is the reason they're believed to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are utilized to boost your energy levels, helping you to feel more alert. They can be helpful for people with insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of most popular. These medications can cause jitteriness or insomnia but they can be helpful for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used to treat the treatment of bulimia as well as for smoking cessation.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based upon the belief that thoughts and feelings are connected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that can help you learn new methods to manage negative thoughts and stressors. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety.
The goal of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive feelings and behavior. The technique is a mixture of two different therapies that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy that is often short-term and can be done in a private or group setting. You will be taught different techniques by a therapist, and then you'll apply them in your everyday life. These techniques include: learning how to recognize negative automatic thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping journals.
A therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that lead to maladaptive behaviors and then provide strategies 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 encourage you to set SMART goals to make it easier for you to monitor your progress.
Although each type of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavior therapies focus on identifying and changing thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. The therapists will use different methods, but they are all built on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating stimuli with their effects. During the treatment the therapist will be rewarded for your accomplishments and punish you for not completing them.
During the first few sessions your therapist will help you identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you learn the abilities. Based on the degree of your illness you could require up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a range of conditions including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It is also effective for adults with ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
treating adhd in adults is a kind of psychotherapy that uses regular, scheduled meetings with a therapist in order to discuss your concerns. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health problems, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. treating adults with adhd can also be used to discuss relationship, friendship and family issues and also work-related issues.
A counselor will pay attention to your issues and provide an objective viewpoint. They will be able to identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways you can alter them. They can also teach you strategies and coping skills for managing anxiety, stress, or depression. They can assist you in dealing with major life changes like divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can also teach you how to manage addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others may be covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health plan from your doctor.