Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatments for ADD. Both are essential to determine which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentive and unorganized, aswell as hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and the basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. treating add in adults are legal as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally, often mixed with other substances, such as methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They can be taken as pills, syrups or liquids, or patches which are applied to the skin.
They improve concentration by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can trigger adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping and a rise in blood pressure or heart rate. They can also interfere with certain medical and pharmaceutical treatments, so it's important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
About 70% to 80 percent of people who take ADHD medications will notice an improvement in symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medications, and the effects aren't always long-lasting.
Some people find that stimulants don't work well or they aren't able to handle the adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant medications. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve concentration and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to work and don't work as quickly. They don't raise dopamine levels and they have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and clonidine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side effect. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dose or taking the medication at the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of somewhat 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 in order to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medication is best for you. You may also take other medications or mix two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is called an augmentation. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are Aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can have different side effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects, because some could affect your daily activities. These side effects may range from mild to severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have fewer side-effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. treating adhd in adults is the reason 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 medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used to boost your energy levels and make you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people with insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of most common. These medications can cause insomnia or jitteriness, but can be helpful for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia, and to help smokers quit.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based upon the notion that feelings and thoughts are connected and can be altered. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented that can help you learn new strategies to handle anxiety and negative habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive thoughts or behaviours. It is a combination of two different therapies that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be performed in a group or on an individual basis. You will be taught different methods by a therapist and then you'll use them in your everyday life. These techniques include learning 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 take on a negative behavior and teach you how to change these beliefs. They will also teach you how to deal with problems in your daily routine. CBT therapists will encourage you to set SMART goals to aid you to monitor your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavioral therapy takes an entirely different approach but they all are focused on identifying the fundamental mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and transforming them. Therapists employ various methods however they all are based on the principles operant and classical conditioning, which involves the association of stimuli with their effects. During treatment you will be rewarded for working through tasks. You'll also be penalized when you fail to complete them.
During your first few sessions together, your therapist and you will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them with healthy ones. You may be given homework to help you develop the abilities. Based on the nature of your condition, you may require between 6 and 20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of ailments such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD which affects people as young seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to discuss your concerns. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from various mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss family, friendship, and relationship issues and also work-related issues.
A counsellor will listen carefully to your concerns and provide an objective view. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They will be able to teach you coping strategies and techniques for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes such as divorce or the loss of loved ones. They can teach you how to manage addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, whereas others may be covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health plan from your doctor.