Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. It is important to try both to determine which one is more efficient.
People with classic ADD tend to be inattentional and unorganized, as well being hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally frequently mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be taken in the form of syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are placed on the skin.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are the most frequently used medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects like a decrease in appetite or trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can also interfere with certain medical and pharmaceutical treatments It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
About 70-80 percent of those who use ADHD medications will notice an improvement in symptoms. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects might not last long.
Certain people find that stimulants aren't working well or they aren't able to handle the side effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These medications may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can boost concentration and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to begin working, and they don't act as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants, and they don't increase dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and the clonidine. The most frequent side effect of these medications is drowsiness. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication before bedtime. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks after the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. They are classified based on the way they affect these 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 physician may prescribe a medication belonging to one of these groups in order to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, since it could take several weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the best treatment for you. You may mix two antidepressants or add other medications to enhance the effects of your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can have different side effects. treatment for adult add to talk to your doctor about these side effects, because some could affect your daily activities. These adverse effects may range from mild to severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs like St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been proven to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is why they're considered 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).
treatment for adult add are primarily used for their energizing effects, helping you to feel more alert. They can be beneficial for those suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of most commonly used. These medications can cause insomnia or jitteriness but they can be helpful for people suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They can also be used to treat the treatment of bulimia as well as for smoking cessation.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that thoughts and feelings are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that helps you discover new strategies to handle stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
The aim of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behavior. The method is a mix of two treatments, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a form of psychotherapy which is usually short-term, and can be done in a private or group setting. A therapist will teach you different techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily life. These techniques include understanding how to recognize negative automatic thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping a journal.
A therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that lead you to engage in maladaptive behavior and help you learn to change these thoughts. They will also help you learn how to solve problems that arise in your daily life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to set SMART goals (specific achievable, measurable, relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.
Although each type of cognitive behavioral therapy takes an entirely different approach but they all are focused on identifying the underlying thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and transforming them. The therapists use a variety of methods, but they are all based on the concepts of classical and operant conditioning, which involves associating events with their effects. While you are in treatment you will be rewarded for the accomplishment of tasks. Additionally, you will be punished when you fail to complete the task.
In your initial sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You may be given homework to help you build the abilities. You could require anywhere from six to twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the nature and severity of your illness.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of disorders, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). It also works for adults suffering from ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that uses regular, scheduled meetings with a therapist in order to discuss your concerns. Typically, these sessions last around 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or via telephone. 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 relationship, friendship and family issues, as well as issues related to work.
A counselor will pay attention to your problems and offer an objective perspective. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can teach you techniques and coping techniques to manage anxiety, stress, or depression. They can help you cope with major life events, such as divorce or the loss of a loved. They can teach you how to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have a mental health plan from your doctor.