Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. Both are important to test to see which is more effective.
People with classic ADD tend to be inattentional and unorganized, as well as hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available in the form of prescription drugs like amphetamines, methylphenidates, as well as diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be illegally used and are often mixed with other substances such as cocaine and methcathinone. They can be consumed as syrups, pills or liquids, or patches that are placed on the skin.
They enhance concentration by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and enhance working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can cause side-effects like a decrease in appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interfere with certain medical and pharmaceutical treatments, so it's important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
Medications can reduce ADHD symptoms in 70 percent to 80% of the people who use them. treatment adult adhd respond in a different way to the medication and the effects may not last for long.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their side effects. In this case doctors will prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but they do help improve focus, attention and control impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines are more difficult to use and don't work as quickly. They do not raise dopamine levels, and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and the guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side consequence. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at the time of bed. The drowsiness will subside in several weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, called 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).
A doctor might suggest you start taking one of these groups in order to relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, as it could take a few weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the most effective medication for you. They may add other medications or combine two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is known as augmentation. The most popular augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine, and lithium.
Different antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It is important to speak with your doctor about the side effects since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These adverse effects can be mild or extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medications, including herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been proven to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is why SNRIs are regarded as 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 are primarily used to boost your energy levels which help you feel more awake. They may be useful for people suffering from insomnia or very severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of the most commonly used. These medications can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness. However, they can be beneficial for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used to treat bulimia and for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that thoughts, feelings and actions are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that helps you discover new ways to deal with anxiety and negative habits. It can be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive thoughts or behaviours. The method is a mix of two therapies, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be done in a group or individually. You will be taught a variety of techniques by a therapist and then you'll use them in daily life. Some of these techniques include: being able to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist will also assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that can lead to behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies for changing these beliefs. They'll also help you develop problem-solving skills so that you can deal with challenges that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will also guide you to set SMART goals (specific achievable, measurable relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.
While each type of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies are focused on identifying and changing the thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ a variety of techniques, but most are based on the concepts of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating events with their effects. During the therapy the person who is treating you will reward you for completing tasks and will punish those who fail to complete the tasks.
During the first few sessions, your therapist will assist you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be given homework to help you master the abilities. You could require between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the nature and severity of your condition.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of ailments that include depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD, a condition that can affect people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that consists of planned, regular meetings with a therapy (counsellor) to discuss your issues. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from a range of mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationships, friendships and family issues and also work-related issues.
A counselor will listen to your problems and provide an objective perspective. They can discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They will be able to teach you strategies for coping and strategies for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes, such as divorce or loss of loved ones. They can also teach you how to deal with chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, whereas others are covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.