Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. It is crucial to test both to determine which is more efficient.
People with classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and basal Ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Treatment typically involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants speed up the body's systems. They are legal 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 frequently mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available in the form of pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and help improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can cause side-effects like a decrease in appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk to your doctor about any concerns.
About 70-80 percent of people who are taking ADHD medications will experience an improvement in symptoms. Not all people respond the same way to the medication and the effects may not last for long.
treating add find that stimulants aren't working well, or they can't tolerate the side effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant medications. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve concentration and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to work and don't work as quickly. They do not raise dopamine levels and they have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and the guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side result. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dose or taking the medication prior to the time of bed. The drowsiness should diminish within several weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on how they interact with neurotransmitters. Each group contains distinct medications. 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 medication belonging to one of these groups in order to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It may take several weeks before you feel their full benefits. You and your doctor will decide which medication works best for you. They may combine two antidepressants or add other medications to enhance the effects of your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are Aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants may have a variety of side effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about these side effects, as some may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects can vary from mild to severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications like St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have less side-effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason they're believed to be more effective 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 your energy levels and make you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people with insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of most popular. These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, but they can be useful for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia, and to help smokers quit.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven treatment for mental disorders. It is based upon the idea that emotions and thoughts are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process which can help you develop new strategies to handle anxiety and negative habits. It can be used to treat anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.
The purpose of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviours. It is a combination of two treatments, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a form of psychotherapy that is often short-term, and it can be performed in a group or individual setting. treat adult add will be taught a variety of techniques by a therapist and then you'll apply them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include learning to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.
A therapist can assist you in identifying negative thoughts that lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change these thoughts. They will also teach you how to tackle issues in your daily routine. CBT therapists will also encourage you to develop SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based) to help you track your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavioral therapy takes an entirely different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the thoughts that cause emotional distress and changing them. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but the majority are based on the concepts of classical and operant conditioning, which involves associating stimuli with their effects. While you are in treatment, you will be rewarded for the accomplishment of tasks. Additionally, you will be penalized when you fail to complete the task.
During the first few sessions, your therapist will help you identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you build the skills. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may require up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a wide range of conditions including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that affects people as young seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled meetings with a therapist 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 be utilized to treat a variety of mental health issues such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about friendship, family and relationship issues as well as work-related problems.
A counselor will listen attentively to your concerns and provide an objective viewpoint. They will be able to identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways you can modify them. They can help you learn techniques and coping strategies to manage 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 teach you how to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health plans from your doctor.