Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and drugs are both effective treatment options for ADD. It is essential to try both to determine which is more efficient.
add treatment for adults with 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 boost the body's systems. They are legal as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally, often mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available as syrups, pills or liquids, or patches which are placed on the skin.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are among the most commonly used drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interfere with some medical treatments and medications Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
About 70% to 80 percent of people who use ADHD medication will experience an improvement in symptoms. Not all people respond the same way to the medication, and the effects may not last for long.
Some people don't like stimulants or can't tolerate their negative effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant medications. These drugs might not be as effective as stimulants, but they can improve concentration and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to work and aren't as effective. They don't increase dopamine levels and have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side consequence. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dosage or taking them at the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside in a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are classified according to how they affect these neurotransmitters, with each group having medications that perform 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 health care provider may start you on one of these groups to help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks before you feel the full benefits. You and your doctor will determine which medication is best for you. They may add other medications or combine two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is referred to as an augmentation. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are Aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have different side effects. You should discuss these side effects with your doctor, as they may interfere with your daily activities. These effects can vary from mild to severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medication, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been proven to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is why they're considered to be more effective than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used for their energizing effects, helping you to feel more alert. They can be helpful for people with insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness. However, they can be beneficial for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used for bulimia and for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the notion that feelings, thoughts and actions are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented which can help you develop new methods to manage negative thoughts and stressors. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
The goal of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive feelings and behavior. It is an amalgamation of two treatments: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term, and can be carried out either in a group setting or individually. You will be taught various methods by a therapist and then you'll apply them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include: being able to recognize your negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A Therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that can lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior and help you learn to change these thoughts. They will also show you how to tackle issues in your daily life. CBT therapists encourage you to establish SMART goals to help you to keep track of your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavioral therapy takes a slightly different approach, they all focus on identifying the thoughts that cause emotional distress and changing them. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but most are based on the concepts of classical and operant conditioning, which involves relating events with their effects. During the therapy the trainer will be rewarded for your accomplishments and penalize you for failing to complete them.
In your initial sessions, you and your therapist will identify problematic behaviors and replace them by healthy ones. They may also assign homework to help you learn the skills. It is possible that you will require between six and twenty one-onone sessions, based on the severity and nature of your condition.
CBT can be used to treat a number of conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective for adult ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy which uses regular, scheduled sessions with the therapy (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can help people with various mental health issues like depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family, and relationship issues, as well as work-related issues.
A counselor will listen to your problems and provide an objective viewpoint. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can teach you coping strategies and strategies for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you deal with major life events, such as divorce or the loss of a loved. They can also teach you how to deal with addictions or chronic illnesses.
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.