Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and drugs are both effective treatments for ADD. Both are important to determine which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and often hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Dopamine levels are usually increased in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants accelerate the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used often in combination with other substances, such as methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available as pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and help improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can cause side effects such as decreased appetite, sleep disturbances and an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. They can interfere with some medical treatments and medications Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Medications can reduce ADHD symptoms in about 70 percent to 80% of people who are taking them. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects may not last for long.
Some people find that stimulants aren't working well or they aren't able to handle the negative effects. In this case, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant medications. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they do aid in improving attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to work and don't work as quickly. They don't raise dopamine levels and they have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and the clonidine. The most frequently reported side effect of these medications is the feeling of drowsiness. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside in the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. They are classified based on how they affect 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 health care provider might prescribe a medicine that belongs to one of these groups in order to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief. It may take several weeks to experience their full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide which medication works best for you. They may add other medications or combine two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is known as augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have distinct side effects. It is important to speak with your doctor about these side effects, since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These side effects may be severe or mild, depending on the type antidepressant that you are taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, such as herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have less side-effects than other types of antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why they are considered to be 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 are used to boost energy levels and help you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people suffering from anxiety or insomnia. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are among the most commonly used. These drugs can cause jitteriness or insomnia but they can be helpful for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia and to assist smokers in quitting.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the notion that emotions, thoughts and actions are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term process that can teach you new methods to deal with negative stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and emotions into positive emotions or behaviors. The technique is a mixture of two different therapies, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. treatment for adults with add 's a type of psychotherapy which is usually short-term and can be done in a private or group setting. You will be taught different techniques by a therapist, and then you will practice them in daily life. Some of these techniques include: being able to recognize your negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.
A therapist can also help you identify the negative thoughts that cause behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies for changing these beliefs. They'll also help you develop problem-solving skills so that you can deal with challenges that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will encourage you to set SMART goals to help you to track your progress.
While each form of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavior treatments focus on identifying and changing thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ different methods but they are all based on the principle of operant and classic conditioning which involves the association of stimuli with their effects. In treatment you will be awarded for completing tasks. You'll also be penalized if you fail to complete them.
In your initial sessions together, your therapist and you will identify problematic behaviors and replace them by healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you develop the abilities. Based on the degree of your illness you could require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT can be used to treat a number of ailments such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). It can also be effective in treating adult ADHD which affects people as young seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapy (counsellor) to discuss your problems. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health issues such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationship, friendship and family issues and also work-related issues.
A counselor will listen to your concerns and offer an objective viewpoint. They will be able to identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways you can modify them. They can teach you coping strategies and techniques for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you adjust to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how to manage addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health plans from your doctor.