Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. Both are important to test to see which is more effective.
People with classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional 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 legally as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as 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 boost concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity, and improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects such as decreased appetite or difficulties sleeping, as well as an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk with your doctor regarding any concerns.
About 70% to 80% people who are taking ADHD medications will notice a reduction in symptoms. However, not everyone responds to the same medication and the effects aren't always lasting.
Some people aren't a fan of stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their side effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant medications. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but they can aid in improving attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs are more difficult to use and aren't as effective. They don't increase dopamine levels and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and clonidine. The most frequent side effect of these medications is drowsiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. They are classified according to 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).
A medical professional might recommend one of these groups in order to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks to feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine the best medication for you. You may mix two antidepressants, or add other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most commonly used augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have distinct side effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about the side effects since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These adverse effects can vary from mild to extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, including prescription drugs and herbal remedies like St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been proven to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why SNRIs are thought to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be utilized to boost energy levels and make you feel more alert. They are beneficial for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of the most popular. These drugs 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 the treatment of bulimia as well as for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the notion that emotions and thoughts are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented, short-term process that can teach you new methods to deal with problems and bad habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and emotions into positive thoughts or behaviours. The technique is an amalgamation of two treatments which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This type of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be done in a group setting or in a private setting. The therapist will instruct you on different techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your daily life. These techniques include learning how to recognize negative automatic thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping a journal.
A Therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that can lead you to take on a negative behavior and help you learn to change your beliefs. They'll also help you develop problem-solving techniques to help you face challenges in your everyday life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to develop SMART goals (specific achievable, measurable relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavioral therapy takes an entirely different approach but they all are focused on identifying the underlying thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and changing them. Therapists employ different methods but they are all based on the principles of operant and classic conditioning which involves relating stimuli to their effects. While treatment for adult add are in treatment, you will be rewarded for working through tasks. You'll also be penalized for failing to complete them.
In your initial sessions together, your therapist and you will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them by healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the skills. You may need anywhere between six and twenty one-onone sessions, based on the nature and severity of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a range of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It can also be effective for adults with ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that uses regular, planned meetings with a therapist to discuss your issues. Usually these sessions last for about 50 minutes. They can be conducted face-to-face, in groups or via telephone. Counselling can be utilized to treat a variety of mental health problems that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family, and relationship issues, as well as work-related problems.
treatment of add in adults will listen attentively to your problems and offer an objective view. They can discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways to modify them. They can teach you techniques and coping skills for managing anxiety, stress or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes such as divorce or loss of a loved one. They can also help you learn how to manage 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.