Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. It is essential to try both to determine which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and often hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Dopamine levels are usually increased in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, including methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They can be consumed in the form of syrups, pills or liquids, or patches that are placed on the skin.
They improve concentration by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and help improve working memory. They are among the most commonly used medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite, trouble sleeping and a rise in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is essential to talk to your doctor about any concerns.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in about 70 percent to 80% of people who take them. Not all people respond the same way to the medication, and the effects might not last long.
Some people find that stimulants don't work for them or they don't like the negative effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but they can aid in improving attention, focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to work and don't work as quickly. They don't increase dopamine levels, and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and the guanfacine. The most common adverse effect of these drugs is the feeling of drowsiness. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dose or taking the medication prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to how they interact with neurotransmitters. Each group has slightly different medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
A health care provider might recommend one of these groups in order to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, since it could take a few weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine the best medication for you. You may mix two antidepressants, or add other medicines to improve the effectiveness of your treatment. This is called an augmentation. The most commonly used augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have distinct 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 adverse effects can range from mild to extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. You should also inform your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, such as prescription drugs and herbal remedies like St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are known to have less adverse effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is the reason they're believed to be more effective 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 your energy levels and help you feel more awake. They are beneficial for people suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of the most popular. These medications can cause jitteriness or insomnia however they can be beneficial for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used to treat the treatment of bulimia as well as as a smoking cessation aid.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the notion that feelings, thoughts and behaviours are all connected and can be altered. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term process that can teach you new ways to cope with stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and feelings into positive feelings or behaviours. It is a combination of two therapies: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It's a form of psychotherapy that is often short-term, and it can be done in a group or an individual setting. A therapist will teach you different techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your daily routine. Some of these techniques include: the ability to recognize negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that lead you to engage in maladaptive behavior and help you learn to change these beliefs. They will also show you how to solve problems in your daily life. CBT therapists will also guide you to establish SMART goals (specific goals that are measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.
Although each type of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies are focused on identifying and changing underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. The therapists will use different techniques, but the majority are built on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the treatment, the person who is treating you will give you a reward for completing tasks and penalize you for not completing them.
In the initial sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the techniques. Depending on the degree of your illness it could take up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of disorders, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD which is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled meetings with a counselor (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. The typical session lasts about 50 minutes. They can be conducted face-to-face, in groups or via the telephone. treatment for adult add can help people with many mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss relationship, family and friendship issues, as well as workplace-related issues.
A counselor will listen to your problems and provide an objective viewpoint. They can identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways you can modify them. They can also teach you strategies and coping skills for managing anxiety, stress or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes such as divorce or loss of loved ones. They can also teach you how to deal with addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health plan from your doctor.