Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. Both are important to test to determine which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be irritable and disorganized, as well as hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available in the form of prescription drugs like amphetamines, methylphenidates, and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be illegally used and often mixed with other substances like cocaine and methcathinone. They are available in the form of syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They improve concentration by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can cause side-effects such as a decreased appetite, trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They can also interfere with certain medications and medical conditions, so it's important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in around 70 percent to 80% of the people who use them. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects may not last long.
Some people aren't a fan of stimulants or don't like their adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe non-stimulant medications. treating add in adults may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can help improve focus and attention and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
treating adults with adhd take longer to start working and they don't react as quickly. They don't raise dopamine levels and have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and Guanfacine. The most common adverse effect of these drugs is sleepiness. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication before the time of bed. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks of the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. They are classified according to how they affect neurotransmitters, with each class having a variety of 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 health care provider might recommend a medication from one of these groups to help alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief. It could take a few weeks to feel their full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the best medication for you. You may also take other medications or combine two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is called augmenting. The most commonly used enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have distinct adverse effects. It is important to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor, as they may interfere with your daily activities. These adverse effects may be mild or severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant that you're 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 have been known to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is why SNRIs are thought to be more effective than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life, and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are utilized for their energizing effects which help you feel more awake. They may be useful for people suffering from anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are among the most commonly used. These drugs can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness. However, they can be useful for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia, and also to aid smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the notion that thoughts and feelings are connected and can be altered. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented that can help you learn new methods to manage stressors and negative habits. It can also be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive thoughts or behaviours. The technique is an amalgamation of two treatments that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term, and can be carried out in a group or individually. A therapist will teach you various techniques, and you'll practice them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include being able to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist will also assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that can lead to maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies for changing these beliefs. They will also help you learn how to solve problems in your daily life. CBT therapists will encourage you to set SMART goals in order to aid you to monitor your progress.
Although each type of cognitive behavioral therapy takes an approach that is slightly different, they all focus on identifying the mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and then changing them. The therapists will use different techniques, but the majority are based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves associating events with their effects. While you are in treatment, you will be rewarded for completing tasks. You'll also be punished for failing to complete the task.
During the first few sessions, your therapist will help you identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They may also assign homework to help you master the techniques. You may need between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the degree and nature of your condition.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that consists of regular, scheduled sessions with an counselor (counsellor) to discuss your issues. Typically, these sessions last around 50 minutes and can be face to face or in groups. They can also be conducted over the phone. Counselling can be utilized to treat a variety of mental health problems, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationships, friendships and family issues and also work-related issues.
A counsellor will pay attention to your concerns and offer an objective viewpoint. They will be able to detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can alter them. They can also teach you strategies and coping skills for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you cope with major life changes like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can help you learn to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, and others may be covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health plan from your doctor.