Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Drugs and counseling are both effective treatments for ADD. Both are essential to test to determine which is more efficient.
People with classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used, often mixed with other substances, including cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available in the form of liquids, pills, syrups or patches.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity, and improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite, trouble sleeping and an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. They can interact with certain medicines and medical conditions. It is essential to talk to your doctor about any concerns.
About 70% to 80 percent of people who are taking ADHD medications will experience reduced symptoms. Not everyone responds the same way to the medication and the effects may not last for long.
Some people don't like stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their side effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants but they can help improve focus, attention and control of impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to get started and they don't react as quickly. They don't increase dopamine levels and have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and clonidine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side effect. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to bedtime. The drowsiness will diminish in several weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on how they interact with neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of somewhat different medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
A doctor might recommend a medication from one of these groups to help alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, as it can take weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the best medication for you. They may combine two antidepressants or other medications to enhance the effects of your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have distinct side effects. You should discuss these side effects with your physician since they could cause problems in your daily activities. These effects can be severe or mild dependent on the type of antidepressant that you are taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're using, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have less adverse effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why they're considered to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are primarily used for their energizing effects which help you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for those suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of most popular. These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness. However, they can be beneficial for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia and to help smokers quit.
adhd treatment in adults (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the belief that thoughts, feelings and actions are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a measurable, short-term procedure that can teach you new methods to deal with negative stressors and bad habits. It can also be used to treat anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive thoughts or behaviours. The technique is a mixture of two treatments which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be performed in a group or individually. You will be taught different 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 help you identify negative thoughts that cause ineffective behaviors, and then teach you strategies to change these beliefs. They will also help you learn how to deal with problems in your daily routine. CBT therapists will encourage you to set SMART goals in order to help you to keep track of your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavioral therapy employs an entirely different approach, they all focus on identifying the fundamental thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and changing them. The therapists will use different techniques, but most are built on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involve associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the treatment, the trainer will reward you for completing tasks and punish you for not completing the tasks.
During the first few sessions, your therapist will work with you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be given homework to help you build the skills. It is possible that you will require between six and twenty one-onone sessions, based on the nature and severity of your condition.
CBT can be used to treat a number of ailments that include depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective for adults with ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to discuss your issues. 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 issues such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss family, friendship, and relationship issues and also work-related issues.
A counsellor will pay attention to your problems and provide an objective perspective. They will be able to identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways you can alter them. They will be able to teach you strategies for coping and techniques for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can assist you in dealing with major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can also teach you how to cope with addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health care plans from your doctor.