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 disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and basal Ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Treatment typically involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants accelerate the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, like methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available in the form of syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are placed on the skin.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. untreated adhd in adults reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently used medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as a decreased appetite, difficulties sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is essential to talk with your physician about any concerns.
About 70-80% people who use ADHD medication will experience an improvement in symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medication and the effects don't always long-lasting.
Some people aren't a fan of stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their negative effects. In this situation, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant medication. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but they do aid in improving attention, focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to begin working and they don't react as quickly. They don't increase dopamine levels, and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and the clonidine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side effect. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dose or taking the medication before the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group contains slightly different medications. 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 might not provide immediate relief, as it can take weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medicine is best for you. You may mix two antidepressants, or add other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is known as an augmentation. The most popular enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Antidepressants may have a variety of side effects. It is important to speak with your doctor about the side effects as some may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects may be severe or mild dependent on the type of antidepressant you're taking. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medication, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are known to have less adverse effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why SNRIs are considered 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 for their energizing effects, helping you to feel more alert. They could be helpful for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of most commonly used. These drugs can cause jitteriness or insomnia however they can be beneficial for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia and also to aid smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that feelings, thoughts and actions are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that can help you learn new strategies to handle stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive emotions or behaviors. The technique is the combination of two therapies that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be done in a group setting or in a private setting. A therapist will teach you different techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include: the ability to recognize negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that lead you to take on a negative behavior and help you learn to change these beliefs. They will also teach you how to deal with problems in your daily routine. CBT therapists will also guide you to develop goals that are SMART (specific goals that are measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
While each type of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavior therapies focus on identifying and changing underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. The therapists use different techniques but they all operate on the principles of operant and classical conditioning that involves associating stimuli to their effects. During treatment, you will be rewarded for completing tasks. You will also be penalized when you fail to complete them.
In your initial sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will look for problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you build the abilities. You could require anywhere between six and twenty one-onone sessions, based on the severity and nature of your condition.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of conditions that include depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also works for adults suffering from ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that uses regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist in order to discuss your concerns. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can help people with a range of mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about friendship, family and relationship issues as well as work-related problems.
A counsellor will listen carefully to your concerns and provide an objective viewpoint. They will be able to detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways to modify them. They can help you learn techniques and coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in dealing with major life events, like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how to cope with addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health care plans from your doctor.