Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatment options for ADD. Both are essential to determine which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants accelerate 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 illegally used and often mixed with other substances like cocaine and methcathinone. They are available as liquids, pills, syrups or patches.
They improve concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are the most frequently used drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. They can trigger side effects like a decrease in appetite or difficulties sleeping, as well as an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They can interfere with some medications and medical conditions, so it's important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in 70 percent to 80% of the people who take them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication, and the effects don't always long-lasting.
Some people discover that stimulants don't work for them, or they can't tolerate the adverse effects. In this case, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant medication. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they do help improve focus, attention and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to work and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants, and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine), guanfacine, and clonidine. The most frequently reported adverse effect of these drugs is the feeling of drowsiness. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to bedtime. The drowsiness will subside in the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to how they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having 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 medical professional might recommend a medication from one of these groups to help relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. treatment for adhd adults can take several weeks to experience the full benefits. You and your doctor will determine which medication is best for you. You may mix two antidepressants, or add other medicines to improve the effectiveness of your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most common enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have distinct adverse effects. It is recommended to discuss these side effects with your physician, as they may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects could be mild or severe depending on the kind 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 are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are known to have fewer side-effects than other types of antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why SNRIs are considered more effective 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 are utilized for their energizing effects and help you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people suffering from anxiety or insomnia. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are among the most common. These drugs can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, however they are beneficial to many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used to treat bulimia and to aid in quitting smoking.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based upon the idea that thoughts and feelings are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process which can help you develop new methods to manage negative thoughts and stressors. It can be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive thoughts or behaviours. It is a combination of two different therapies which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy that's usually short-term and can be done in a group or an individual setting. You will be taught different methods by a therapist and then you will practice them in your daily life. These techniques include: learning to recognize negative automatic thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a journal.
A therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that can lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior and teach you how to change these thoughts. They will also teach you how to tackle issues in your daily life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to establish SMART goals (specific achievable, measurable relevant, time-based, and relevant) to make it easier to track your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavior therapy has an entirely different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the underlying thoughts that cause emotional distress and transforming them. Therapists employ a variety of methods, but they are all based on the concepts of classical and operant conditioning, which involves associating events with their effects. During treatment, you will be rewarded for the accomplishment of tasks. You will also be punished if you fail to complete the task.
In the first few sessions your therapist will assist you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you master the techniques. It is possible that you will require between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the degree and nature of your illness.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also works for adults suffering from ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled meetings with a therapist in order to discuss your issues. Usually these sessions last for about 50 minutes. They may be face-to-face or in groups. They can also be conducted via the phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from a range of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family and relationship issues, as well as workplace-related issues.
A counselor will listen to your problems and provide an objective perspective. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can teach you techniques and coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety, or depression. They can help you deal with major life changes, like divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can teach you how to deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health plans from your doctor.