Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include drugs and counselling. Both are crucial to test to determine which is more efficient.
People with classic ADD tend to be inattentional and unorganized, aswell being hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Dopamine levels tend to increase as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants speed up the body's systems. They are available in prescription medications such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be used illegally and are often mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone. They are available in the form of syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They enhance concentration by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are among the most commonly used medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as a decreased appetite, difficulties sleeping, as well as an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is important to speak to your doctor about any concerns.
About 70% to 80% people who use ADHD medications will experience reduced symptoms. However, not everyone responds to the same medication and the effects don't always lasting.
Some people don't like stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their negative effects. In this case, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs might not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can boost concentration and focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to start working and they don't react as fast. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants and do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and the guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side result. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dose or taking the medication prior to the time of bed. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks after the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. They are classified based on how they affect these neurotransmitters with each group having drugs 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).
Your health care provider might prescribe a medicine that belongs to one of these groups to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, as it could take a few weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medication is best for you. You may mix two antidepressants or other medicines to boost the effects of your treatment. This is known as an augmentation. The most popular augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have different adverse effects. treatment for add in adults is essential to talk with your doctor about the side effects as some may interfere with your daily activities. These effects can be mild or serious, depending on the type antidepressant you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, including herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have fewer side-effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine levels 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 drugs. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used for their energizing effects, helping you to feel more awake. They could be helpful for those suffering from insomnia or very severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are among the most commonly used. These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness, but they can be useful for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia, and to help smokers quit.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the idea that feelings, thoughts and actions are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term program that teaches you new strategies to deal with stressors and bad habits. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
The aim of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. The method is a mix of two different therapies that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy that is often short-term, and is able to be carried out in a group or an individual setting. You will be taught various techniques by a therapist, and then you'll apply them in your daily life. These techniques include: learning how to recognize negative automatic thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping journals.
A therapist can assist you in identifying negative thoughts that can lead you to engage in maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change these beliefs. They will also teach you how to deal with problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will also guide you to establish goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based) to help you track your progress.
Although each type of cognitive behavioral therapy employs an approach that is slightly different however, they all concentrate on identifying the thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and then changing them. Therapists employ different methods but they all operate on the principles of operant and classical conditioning that involves associating stimuli to their effects. During the treatment, the trainer will be rewarded for your accomplishments and penalize you for not completing them.
In the initial few sessions your therapist will assist you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You may be given homework to help you master the skills. Based on the degree of your illness, you may 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 is also effective for adults with ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, planned meetings with a therapist to talk about your concerns. The typical session lasts approximately 50 minutes and may be face-to-face or in groups. They can also be conducted via the phone. Counselling can help people with a range of mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family and relationship issues as well as work-related problems.
A counsellor will pay attention to your problems and provide an objective view. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They will be able to teach you coping skills and techniques for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in dealing with major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can help you learn to manage addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, and others are covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.