Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatment options for ADD. Both are crucial to determine which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentive and unorganized, as well as hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and often mixed with other substances like cocaine and methcathinone. treat adhd in adults are available in the form of liquids, pills, syrups or patches.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, and improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can cause side-effects such as a decreased appetite, difficulties sleeping, as well as an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is important to speak to your doctor about any concerns.
Around 70 to 80% people who are taking ADHD medication will experience a reduction in symptoms. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects may not last for long.
Certain people find that stimulants don't work well, or they can't tolerate the side effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs might not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can help improve focus and attention and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to get started and they don't react as quickly. They do not raise dopamine levels and they have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and the guanfacine. The most frequently reported side effect of these medicines is the feeling of drowsiness. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking them at the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside in the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to how they interact with neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of 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 medication that belongs to one of these groups in order to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It may take several weeks to feel their full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine the most effective medication for you. You may also take additional medications or combine two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is referred to as an augmentation. The most popular augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine, and lithium.
Different antidepressants have different adverse effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about the side effects because some could affect your daily activities. These adverse effects can be mild or extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also tell 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 have been proven to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs boost levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is why they're considered 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 used to boost energy and make you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness. However, they can be useful for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. They can also be used to treat bulimia and to aid in quitting smoking.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that thoughts and feelings are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a goal-oriented, short-term procedure that can teach you new strategies to deal with problems and bad habits. It can also be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
The aim of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive feelings and behaviours. It is the combination of two therapies: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be done either in a group setting or on an individual basis. The therapist will instruct you on various techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include: being able to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that can lead to maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies to change these assumptions. They will also help you learn how to solve problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals in order to help you to monitor your progress.
Although each type of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral treatments focus on identifying and modifying the thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. The therapists use a variety of methods, but they are all based on the concepts of classical and operant conditioning, which involves associating events with their effects. During the therapy, the trainer will give you a reward for completing tasks and penalize you for not completing them.
In the initial few sessions the therapist will work with you to identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You may be given homework to help you develop the skills. Depending on the degree of your illness you could require between 6 and 20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of conditions, including anxiety depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective for adult ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves planned, regular meetings with an therapist (counsellor) to discuss your problems. The typical session lasts around 50 minutes and can be face to face or in groups. They can also be conducted via telephone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety 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 counselor will listen to your problems and provide an objective perspective. They can detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can alter them. They will be able to teach you strategies for coping and techniques to manage depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you adjust to major life changes such as divorce or loss of a loved one. They can help you learn to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, and others are covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health plan from your doctor.