Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. It is important to try both to determine which is more efficient.
People with classic ADD tend to be irritable and unorganized, as well as hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia, and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants speed up the body's systems. They are available in the form of prescription drugs like amphetamines, methylphenidates and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be used illegally and are often mixed with other substances such as methcathinone and cocaine. They are available as syrups, pills or liquids, or patches which are placed on the skin.
They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and help improve working memory. These are the most common drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as a decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk with your physician about any concerns.
About 70-80 percent of those who are taking ADHD medication will experience an improvement in symptoms. Not all people respond the same way to the medication, and the effects might not last long.
Certain people find that stimulants don't work for them or they aren't able to handle the negative effects. In this situation doctors will prescribe non-stimulant medications. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve focus, attention and control of impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to work and aren't as effective. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants, and don't increase dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and the clonidine. The most frequently reported side effect of these medications is drowsiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication prior to the time of bed. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, called neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on how they act on neurotransmitters. Each group has slightly different medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
A doctor may start you on a medication from one of these groups to help relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, as it can take weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide which medication works best for you. They can also add other medications or mix two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is referred to as augmenting. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine, and lithium.
Antidepressants can have different side effects. It is recommended to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor, as they may interfere with your daily activities. treatment of add in adults can range from mild to severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, including herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are known to have less adverse effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine within the brain. This is why SNRIs are considered more effective than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life, and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other medications. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used for their energizing effects, helping you to feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of most common. These drugs can cause insomnia or jitteriness but they 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 therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a research-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings and actions are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a goal-oriented, short-term procedure that can teach you new strategies to deal with stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and feelings into positive emotions or behaviors. The technique is a mixture of two different therapies that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is typically short-term, and can be carried out in a group or in a private setting. A therapist will teach you various methods, and you'll apply them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include the ability to recognize negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can also help you identify the negative thoughts that lead to maladaptive behaviors and then provide strategies to change these assumptions. They will also help you learn how to solve problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will encourage you to set SMART goals in order to make it easier for you to monitor your progress.
Although each type of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavior therapies focus on identifying and changing the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ a variety of techniques, but the majority are based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves associating events with their effects. During treatment, you will be rewarded for working through tasks. You will also be penalized for failing to complete them.
In the initial few sessions, your therapist will assist you to identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You may be given homework to help you build the skills. You may need anywhere between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the degree and nature of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective for adult ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy which uses planned, regular meetings with a therapy (counsellor) to discuss your issues. Usually these sessions last for about 50 minutes. They can be face to face, in groups or over the telephone. Counselling can help people with many mental health issues including schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss relationship, family and friendship issues, as well as work-related issues.
A counselor will listen to your issues and provide an objective perspective. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They will be able to teach you strategies for coping and techniques to manage depression, anxiety, or stress. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes such as divorce or loss of a loved one. They can help you learn to deal with chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health plans from your doctor.