Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Drugs and counseling are both effective treatments for ADD. Both are important to determine which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentive and unorganized, aswell as hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment typically involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used, often mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available in the form of pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They boost concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, and improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects like a decrease in appetite or trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk with your physician about any concerns.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in 70 percent to 80% of people who are taking them. However, not all people respond to the same medications, and the effects aren't always lasting.
Some people find that stimulants don't work for them or they aren't able to handle the adverse effects. In this case doctors will prescribe non-stimulant medication. They aren't as effective as stimulants but they can aid in improving attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to effect and don't perform as efficiently. They don't increase dopamine levels, and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine), guanfacine, and Clonidine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side effect. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication prior to bedtime. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to how they affect these neurotransmitters with each group having drugs 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 doctor may prescribe a medication belonging to one of these groups to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, as it could take a few weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the best medication for you. They can also add additional medications or combine two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have different side effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about these side effects as some may interfere with your daily activities. These adverse effects can be mild or severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant that you're taking. You should also inform your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, such as over-the-counter drugs and herbs like St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been known to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why SNRIs are considered more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost energy levels and make you feel more awake. They can be helpful for people with insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness. However, they are beneficial to many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used for 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 issues. It is based on the idea that feelings, thoughts and behaviours are all connected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term program that teaches you new methods to deal with problems and bad habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive emotions or behaviors. adult add treatments is a mixture of two different therapies that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy which is usually short-term, and can be performed in a group or individual setting. You will be taught a variety of techniques by a therapist and then you'll use them in your everyday life. These techniques include: learning how to recognize negative thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping an account of your thoughts.
A Therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that can lead you to take on a negative behavior, and show you how to change your beliefs. They'll also teach you problem-solving skills so that you can handle challenges that come up in your day-to-day life. CBT therapists will also guide you to set SMART goals (specific goals that are measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavior therapy has a slightly different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the underlying thoughts that cause emotional distress and changing them. Therapists employ various methods however they all are based on the principle of operant and classical conditioning, which involves associating stimuli to their effects. In treatment you will be awarded for working through tasks. Additionally, you will be penalized if you fail to complete them.
In the initial sessions, you and your therapist will identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you learn the techniques. Based on the severity of your condition, you may require between 6 and 20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a range of conditions including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective for adults with ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that consists of regular, scheduled meetings with an therapist (counsellor) to discuss your issues. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can be utilized to treat a variety of mental health problems that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about family, friendship, and relationship issues, as well as issues related to work.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your issues and provide an objective view. They will be able to detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways to modify them. They can teach you techniques and coping strategies to manage anxiety, stress, or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also help you learn how to deal with addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health care plans from your doctor.