Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and drugs are both effective treatments for ADD. It is important to try both to determine which one is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be irritable and unorganized, as well being hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally, often mixed with other substances, including cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available as pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and improve working memory. These are the most common drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. adult treatment for adhd can cause negative side effects, such as a decreased appetite, sleep disturbances and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interfere with certain medications and medical conditions Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Around 70 to 80% people who are taking ADHD medications will notice reduced symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medications, and the effects don't always long-lasting.
Some people don't like stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their negative effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve attention, focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to start working, and they don't act as fast. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants and do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and Guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side result. adults adhd treatment is reduced by increasing the dose or taking the medication before the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks of beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to how they interact with neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of distinct medications. 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 medication belonging to one of these groups in order to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks to feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the best medication for you. They may add other medications or mix two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is known as an augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have different adverse effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about the side effects as some may interfere with your daily activities. These effects can be severe or mild depending on the kind of antidepressant you're taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are known to have less side-effects than other types of antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
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 drugs. The SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used to boost energy levels and make you feel more awake. They can be helpful for people suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness or insomnia, but can be helpful for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia and to assist smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the notion that emotions, thoughts and behaviours are all connected and can be altered. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented that can help you learn new methods to manage negative thoughts and stressors. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.
The aim of CBT is to transform negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviours. The technique is a mixture of two different therapies that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be done either in a group setting or individually. The therapist will instruct you on different techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily life. These techniques include understanding how to recognize negative thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping journals.
A therapist can also assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that cause behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies for changing these beliefs. They will also help you learn how to tackle issues that arise in your daily life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to develop SMART goals (specific achievable, measurable, relevant, and time-based) to help you track your progress.
While each type of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies are focused on identifying and changing underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. Therapists employ various methods however they all are based on the principles operant and classical conditioning, which involves associating stimuli to their effects. While you are in treatment you will be rewarded for the accomplishment of tasks. You'll also be penalized if you fail to complete them.
In the initial sessions, you and your therapist will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them by healthy ones. They may also assign homework to help you master the techniques. You may need anywhere between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the degree and nature of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a wide range of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It also works for adult ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that uses regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to discuss your concerns. Typically, these sessions last about 50 minutes. They can be face to face, in groups or via telephone. Counselling can assist people suffering from various mental health issues, including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationships, friendships and family issues - as well as work-related difficulties.
A counsellor will listen carefully to your concerns and provide an objective view. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They will be able to teach you strategies for coping and techniques for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you cope with major life changes, like divorce or the loss of a loved. They can also show you how to manage addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, and others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have a mental health plan from your doctor.