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 inattentive, disorganized and often hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally, often mixed with other substances, including methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available as pills, syrups or liquids, or patches that are applied to the skin.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity, and improve working memory. These are the most common drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. They can cause adverse effects such as decreased appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is important to speak with your physician about any concerns.
About 70% to 80 percent of those who use ADHD medications will experience reduced symptoms. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects may not last for long.
Some people don't like stimulants or can't tolerate their adverse effects. In this situation, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but they can aid in improving attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to begin working, and they don't act as quickly. They do not raise dopamine levels and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and the clonidine. The most frequent adverse effect of these drugs is the feeling of drowsiness. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to the time of bed. The drowsiness should diminish within several weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to the way they affect these neurotransmitters with each group having 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).
A medical professional might suggest you start taking one of these groups to relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, as it could take several weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the most effective medication for you. You may also take additional medications or combine two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most common augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine, and lithium.
Different antidepressants have distinct adverse effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects because some could affect your daily activities. These adverse effects may range from mild to extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're using, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs like St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been known to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is why SNRIs are considered more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost your energy levels and make you feel more alert. They may be useful for those suffering from insomnia or very severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of the most commonly used. These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, but 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 behavioural therapy (CBT) is a research-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the belief that feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and can be altered. CBT is a measurable, short-term process that can teach you new strategies to deal with negative stressors 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 emotions and behaviors. It is a combination of two therapies: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy which is usually short-term, and can be performed in a group or an individual setting. You will be taught various methods by a therapist and then you will practice them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include learning to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.
A therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that can lead to maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies for changing these assumptions. They'll also teach you problem solving skills so that you can face challenges in your daily life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to establish goals that are SMART (specific achievable, measurable, relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.
Although each type of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavior treatments focus on identifying and changing the thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ various methods but they all operate on the principles operant and classic conditioning which involves relating stimuli to their effects. While you are in treatment, you will be rewarded for completing tasks. Additionally, you will be punished when you fail to complete them.
In the first few sessions your therapist will work with you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You may be given homework to help you master the skills. Based on the nature of your condition it could take anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
treatment for add in adults is effective in treating a range of conditions including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It can also be effective in treating adult ADHD which is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that consists of regular, scheduled meetings with the counselor (counsellor) to discuss your problems. The typical session lasts about 50 minutes. They can be face to face or in groups. They can also be conducted via telephone. Counselling can be utilized to treat a variety of mental health problems, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family, and relationship issues, as well as work-related problems.
A counsellor will listen carefully to your problems and offer an objective perspective. They will be able identify 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 assist you in dealing with major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can teach you how to manage addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health plans from your doctor.