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 efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be irritable and unorganized, as well as hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment typically involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
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 also used illegally frequently mixed with other substances, including cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available in the form of liquids, pills, syrups or patches.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can trigger side effects like a decrease in appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is essential to talk with your doctor regarding any concerns.
About 70% to 80% people who take ADHD medications will notice an improvement in symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medication, and the effects don't always long-lasting.
Some people discover that stimulants don't work for them, or they can't tolerate the adverse effects. In this instance, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant medications. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants but they can help improve focus, attention and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to start working and don't work as quickly. They don't increase dopamine levels and they have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and the guanfacine. The most common side effect of these medicines is the feeling of drowsiness. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication before the time of sleep. The drowsiness will diminish in a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are classified according to how they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having medications that work 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 doctor might suggest you start taking a medication from one of these groups to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief. It may take several weeks before you feel their full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the best 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 commonly used augmentation drugs are Aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can have different side effects. You should discuss these side effects with your doctor, as they may interfere in your daily activities. These adverse effects may range from mild to extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, such as herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications like St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have fewer side-effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within 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 medications. The SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are utilized for their energizing effects, helping you to feel more awake. They could be helpful for people suffering from insomnia or very severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of most common. These drugs 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 for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings and actions are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that helps you discover new methods to manage anxiety and negative habits. add treatments for adults can be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive thoughts or behaviours. The method is a mix of two treatments that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy that's usually short-term, and it is able to be carried out in a group or individual setting. A therapist will teach you various methods, and you'll apply them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include learning to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.
A Therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that cause you to engage in maladaptive behavior and teach you how to change these thoughts. They'll also teach you problem-solving techniques to help you handle challenges that come up in your everyday life. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals in order to make it easier for you to track your progress.
While each form of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavior treatments focus on identifying and modifying the underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. Therapists employ different methods however they all are based on the principle of operant and classical conditioning that involves the association of stimuli with their effects. During the therapy the therapist will reward you for completing tasks and punish you for failing to complete the tasks.
In your initial sessions, you and your therapist will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them with healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you learn the techniques. You may need anywhere between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the nature and severity of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a range of conditions, including anxiety depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adults with ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves regular, planned meetings with a therapist to talk about your issues. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from a range of mental health issues including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss family, friendship, and relationship issues - and also work-related issues.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your problems and provide an objective perspective. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They will be able to teach you coping strategies and techniques for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. 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 deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health plans from your doctor.