Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. Both are essential to test to see which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and often hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of the body's systems. They are available in the form of prescription drugs like amphetamines, methylphenidates and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and often mixed with other substances like methcathinone and cocaine. They are available as pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite, insomnia and increased heart rate or blood pressure. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is essential to talk to your doctor about any concerns.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in about 70 percent to 80% of those who take them. 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 can't tolerate their negative effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These medications may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can improve attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to get started, and they don't act as fast. adults adhd treatment affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants, and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and the guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most common side consequence. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dose or taking the medication prior to the time of bed. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by the way they affect 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).
A medical professional might recommend one of these groups to help relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It can take several weeks to feel the full benefit. Your doctor and you will decide which medication works best 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 commonly used augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Antidepressants can cause a variety of adverse effects. It is important to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor, as they may interfere with your daily activities. These effects can vary from mild to severe, and they can be triggered by 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 have fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason they're believed to be more effective 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 can be used to boost your energy levels and make you feel more alert. They can be helpful for those suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness. However, they can be useful for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia and to assist smokers in quitting.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the notion that emotions, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is a measurable, short-term program that teaches you new methods to deal with stressors 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 behavior. The method is a mix of two different therapies that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy which is usually short-term, and it is able to be carried out in a private or group setting. You will be taught a variety of techniques by a therapist, and then you'll apply them in your everyday life. These techniques include understanding how to recognize negative thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping an account of your thoughts.
A therapist can help you identify the negative thoughts that lead to ineffective behaviors, and then teach you strategies for changing these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem solving skills so that you can handle challenges that come up in your daily life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to establish SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable relevant, time-based, and relevant) to make it easier to track your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavior therapy has an entirely different approach but they all are focused on identifying the underlying thoughts that cause emotional distress and then changing them. Therapists employ various methods but they all operate on the principle of operant and classical conditioning, which involves the association of stimuli with their effects. During the therapy, the therapist will be rewarded for your accomplishments and will punish you for failing to complete the tasks.
In your first few sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will identify problematic behaviors and replace them by healthy ones. You might be assigned homework to help you master the skills. Depending on the nature of your condition it could take anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including anxiety depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD, a condition that is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that uses regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist in order to discuss 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 be used to treat a variety of mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about friendship, family and relationship issues, as well as work-related issues.
A counsellor will listen carefully to your issues and provide an objective viewpoint. They can identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways you can change them. They can teach you strategies for coping and techniques for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how to deal with addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health care plans from your doctor.