Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. Both are essential to test to determine which is more effective.
People with classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and often hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment typically involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of the body's systems. They are available in the form of prescription drugs like amphetamines, methylphenidates, as well as diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and are often mixed with other substances like methcathinone and cocaine. They are available in the form of syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can cause side-effects such as a decreased appetite, difficulties sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interfere with some medical treatments and medications, so it's important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
About 70-80% people who use ADHD medication will experience an improvement in symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medication and the effects may not be long-lasting.
Some people find that stimulants don't work well or they don't like the adverse effects. In this case doctors may prescribe nonstimulant medication. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants but they can help improve attention, focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to work and don't perform as efficiently. They don't increase dopamine levels and have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side result. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication before the time of bed. The drowsiness will subside in a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of somewhat different medications. 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 to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks to experience the full benefit. Your doctor and you will determine which medicine is best for you. You may mix two antidepressants or other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is known as augmentation. The most common enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Antidepressants can cause a variety of side effects. adult add treatments is recommended to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor because they could interfere in your daily activities. These side effects could be mild or severe depending on the kind of antidepressant that you are taking. It is also important to inform 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 are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have less adverse effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is why SNRIs are regarded as 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 utilized for their energizing effects which help you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for those suffering from insomnia or very severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are among the most popular. These drugs can cause insomnia or jitteriness, but can be helpful for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These drugs 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 issues. It is based on the idea that feelings and thoughts are connected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that helps you discover new methods to manage stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive feelings or behaviours. It is the combination of two therapies that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. adults adhd treatment 's a kind of psychotherapy that's usually short-term and can be performed in a private or group setting. You will be taught a variety of 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 mental journal.
A Therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that can lead you to take on a negative behavior, and show you how to change your beliefs. They will also show you how to solve problems in your daily routine. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals in order to aid you to keep track of your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavioral therapy employs an entirely different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and transforming them. The therapists will use different techniques, but most are built on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating events with their effects. While you are in treatment you will be awarded for the accomplishment of tasks. You'll also be penalized when you fail to complete them.
In your initial sessions together, your therapist and you will look for problematic behaviors and replace them by healthy ones. You might be assigned homework to help you develop the skills. Based on the nature of your condition you could require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a range of disorders, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD, a condition that is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to talk about your concerns. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from many mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about relationship, family and friendship issues as well as work-related problems.
A counselor will listen to your issues and provide an objective viewpoint. They will be able to detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can change them. They can help you learn techniques and coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety, or depression. They can help you adjust to major life changes like divorce or loss of loved ones. 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 when you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.