Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatments for ADD. It is important to try both to determine which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and 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 tend to increase in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants accelerate the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, including cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be taken as syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are applied to the skin.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. adhd adults treatment reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity, and improve working memory. They are among the most commonly used medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can cause side effects such as decreased appetite, insomnia and an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. They can also interfere with certain medical and pharmaceutical treatments Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in about 70 percent to 80% of the people who are taking them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication, and the effects aren't always long-lasting.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or can't tolerate their negative effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe non-stimulant medications. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve focus and attention and control impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to effect and aren't as effective. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants and do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and the guanfacine. The most frequent side effect of these medicines is the feeling of drowsiness. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at bedtime. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks of the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by how they act on neurotransmitters. Each group has distinct medications. 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 medicine that belongs to one of these groups to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, as it could take several weeks before you feel the full benefits. You and your doctor will decide which medication works best for you. They may add additional medications or combine two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is called an augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can have different side effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about the side effects as some may interfere with your daily activities. These effects can be severe or mild dependent on the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're using, including prescription drugs and herbal remedies like St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have less adverse effects than other types of antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is the reason they're believed to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life, and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used for their energizing effects and help you feel more awake. They can be helpful for people suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban, Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness or insomnia, but can be helpful for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used for bulimia and as a smoking cessation aid.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the notion that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that helps you discover new methods to manage negative thoughts and stressors. It can be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
The purpose of CBT is to transform negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviours. It is a combination of two treatments that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a form of psychotherapy that is often short-term, and it can be performed in a private or group setting. You will be taught a variety of techniques by a therapist, and then you will practice them in your everyday life. These techniques include learning to recognize negative thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping journals.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that cause you to take on a negative behavior and help you learn to change these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem-solving skills so that you can deal with challenges that arise in your day-to-day life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to establish SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.
While each type of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavior treatments focus on identifying and changing underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but most are based on the concepts of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the treatment the person who is treating you will give you a reward for completing tasks and will punish you for not completing the tasks.
In the first few sessions, you and your therapist will look for problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They might also assign homework to help you learn the abilities. Based on the nature of your condition it could take between 6 and 20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a range of conditions including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD, a condition that is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that consists of planned, regular meetings with the therapist (counsellor) to discuss your problems. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health issues that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationships, friendships and family issues - and also work-related issues.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your problems and provide an objective view. They can identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways you can alter them. They will be able to teach you strategies for coping and techniques for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can assist you in dealing with major life events, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. adhd adults treatment can also show you how to manage addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, while others may be covered by Medicare rebates when you have a mental health plan from your doctor.