Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and drugs are both effective treatment options for ADD. It is crucial to test both to determine which one is more effective.
People with classic ADD tend to be irritable and unorganized, aswell being hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and the basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available in the form of prescription drugs like amphetamines, methylphenidates, as well as diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and are often mixed with other substances like methcathinone and cocaine. They are available as syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They boost concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and help improve working memory. They are among the most commonly used medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects like a decrease in appetite or 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.
About 70-80 percent of those who take ADHD medications will experience an improvement in symptoms. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects may not last for long.
Some people discover that stimulants aren't working well, or they can't tolerate the negative effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These medications may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can help improve attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to start working and they don't react as fast. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants, and do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and Guanfacine. The most frequently reported side effect of these medications is the feeling of drowsiness. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dosage or taking them at bedtime. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks of beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are classified based on how they affect these neurotransmitters with each group having medications that act 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 physician may prescribe a medicine that belongs to one of these groups to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, as it could take a few weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the best medication for you. You may also take additional medications or combine two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is called augmenting. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine and lithium.
Antidepressants may have a variety of adverse effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These side effects can be mild or severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant you're taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medications, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been proven to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is why SNRIs are considered more effective than SSRIs. adults adhd treatment 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 utilized to boost energy levels and make you feel more awake. They are beneficial for people with insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause insomnia or jitteriness however they can be beneficial for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These medications 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 issues. It is based on the idea that feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and can be altered. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term program that teaches you new ways to cope with problems and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety.
The purpose of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive feelings and behaviours. The technique is the combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy that's usually short-term, and it is able to be carried out in a group or individual setting. You will be taught different techniques by a therapist, and then you'll apply them in daily life. Some of these techniques include: learning to recognize your negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can help you identify the negative thoughts that cause ineffective behaviors, and then teach you strategies to change these beliefs. They will also teach you how to solve problems in your daily routine. Therapists in CBT will also help you to set goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavioral therapy takes an approach that is slightly different, they all focus on identifying the mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and changing them. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but most are based on the concepts of classical and operant conditioning, which involve associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the therapy, the trainer will reward you for completing tasks and punish you for not completing the tasks.
During the first few sessions, your therapist will work with you to identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you master the abilities. It is possible that you will require between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the nature and severity of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a wide range of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adult ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled meetings with the therapist (counsellor) to discuss your problems. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can be utilized to treat a variety of mental health problems, including schizophrenia, depression 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 problems and offer an objective view. They will be able to discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can help you learn techniques and coping strategies to manage anxiety, stress or depression. They can help you adjust to major life changes, such as divorce or loss of loved ones. They can also teach you how to deal with addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.