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 suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and the basal Ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate 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 are often mixed with other substances such as methcathinone and cocaine. They are available in the form of syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, and improve working memory. They are the most frequently used drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. They can cause negative side effects, such as a decreased appetite, insomnia and a rise 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.
About treatment for adults with add -80 percent of people who are taking ADHD medications will experience a reduction in symptoms. Not all people respond the same way to the medication, and the effects might not last long.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or can't tolerate their adverse effects. In this case doctors may prescribe nonstimulant medication. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can improve focus and attention and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines are more difficult to use and don't perform as efficiently. They don't raise dopamine levels and have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and Guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side result. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to bedtime. The drowsiness will diminish in the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to how they affect neurotransmitters, with each class having a variety of medications that perform 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 alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the most effective medication for you. You may mix two antidepressants or other medicines to improve the effectiveness of your treatment. This is known as augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are Aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can cause a variety of side effects. treatment of add is essential to talk with your doctor about the side effects because some could affect your daily activities. These side effects could be severe or mild depending on the kind of antidepressant that you are taking. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medications, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are known to have less side-effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is why they are considered to be more effective than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be utilized to boost energy levels and make you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of most popular. These drugs can cause jitteriness or insomnia, but can be helpful for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia, and also to aid smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based upon the idea that feelings and thoughts are connected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure which can help you develop 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 reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behaviours. The method is a mix of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy which is usually short-term, and can be performed in a group or an individual setting. A therapist will guide you through various methods, and you'll apply them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include learning to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.
A Therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that can lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior and teach you how to change these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem solving techniques to help you deal with challenges that arise in your day-to-day life. CBT therapists will also guide you to set goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable relevant, time-based, and relevant) to aid in tracking your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavioral therapy employs a slightly different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the fundamental mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and changing them. Therapists employ various methods but they all operate on the principle of operant and classic conditioning which involves the association of stimuli with their effects. During the therapy the trainer will give you a reward for completing tasks and will punish you for not completing them.
In the initial sessions together, your therapist and you will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them with healthy ones. They may also assign homework to help you master the skills. 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 disorders (PTSD). It is also effective for adults with ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist in order to discuss your issues. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can help people with a range of mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about friendship, family and relationship issues as well as work-related problems.
A counsellor will listen carefully to your problems and offer an objective viewpoint. They will be able to identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways to alter them. They can teach you techniques and coping skills for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in dealing with major life events, like divorce or the loss of a loved. They can also show you how to manage addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health plans from your doctor.