Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. It is essential to try both to determine which one is more effective.
People with classic ADD tend to be inattentive and unorganized, aswell as hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of the body's systems. They are available in prescription medications such as amphetamines, methylphenidates and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and often mixed with other substances such as methcathinone and cocaine. They can be taken as syrups, pills or liquids, or patches that are placed on the skin.
They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity, and improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can cause side-effects such as a decreased appetite, trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can also interfere with certain medical treatments and medications It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in 70% to 80% of people who use them. However, not all people respond to the same medications, and the effects aren't always long-lasting.
Some people find that stimulants aren't working well or they aren't able to handle the side effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant medications. These medications may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can improve attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines are more difficult to use and aren't as effective. They don't raise dopamine levels and have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and Guanfacine. The most frequent side effect of these medications is drowsiness. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks after the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, called neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to the way they affect these neurotransmitters, with each class having a variety of medications 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 doctor may prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups in order to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. adult add treatment may not offer immediate relief. It could take a few weeks to experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the best medication for you. They may add additional medications or combine two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is referred to as an augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can cause a variety of side effects. It is important to discuss these side effects with your doctor because they could interfere with your daily activities. These effects can be mild or severe, depending on the type antidepressant that you are taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medication, 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 less adverse effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are thought to be more effective than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used to boost your energy levels and make you feel more awake. They can be helpful for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause insomnia or jitteriness, but can be helpful for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia and to help smokers quit.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the belief that emotions and thoughts are connected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process that helps you discover new ways to deal with negative thoughts and stressors. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety.
The purpose of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behavior. It is a combination of two therapies: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term, and can be carried out in a group or in a private setting. You will be taught different techniques by a therapist, and then you will practice them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include being able to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.
A Therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that can lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change your beliefs. They'll also teach you problem solving skills so that you can face challenges in your everyday life. CBT therapists will encourage you to set SMART goals to make it easier for you to track your progress.
While each form of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral treatments focus on identifying and changing underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. The therapists use a variety of methods, but they are all based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involve associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the treatment, the therapist will reward you for completing tasks and will punish you for not completing the tasks.
In the initial sessions with your therapist, you and the 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 abilities. Depending on the degree of your illness, you may require up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of ailments that include depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adults with ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that consists of planned, regular meetings with a therapist (counsellor) to discuss your problems. Typically, these sessions last around 50 minutes and may be face-to-face in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationships, friendships and family issues as well as issues related to work.
A counselor will pay attention to your issues and provide an objective viewpoint. They will be able to identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways to change them. They can teach you coping skills and techniques for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you deal with major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a loved. They can help you learn to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, and others are covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.