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 effective.
People with classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and often hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal Ganglia and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be used illegally and often mixed with other substances like cocaine and methcathinone. They are available as pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They improve concentration by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can cause adverse effects such as decreased appetite or trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They can also interfere with certain medical and pharmaceutical treatments It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in around 70% to 80% of the people who use them. However, not everyone responds to the same medications, and the effects don't always lasting.
Some people discover that stimulants don't work for them or they don't like the negative effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe non-stimulant medications. These drugs might not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can help improve attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to get started and don't work as quickly. They don't increase dopamine levels and they have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and Clonidine. The most frequently reported side effect of these medications is sleepiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dose or taking the medication before the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks of starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. They are classified according to how they affect these neurotransmitters with each group having medications that work 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 health care provider might suggest you start taking a medication from one of these groups to help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It can take several weeks to experience the full benefit. Your doctor and you will determine the most effective medication for you. They can mix two antidepressants, or add other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is known as augmenting. The most popular augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have distinct side effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about these side effects since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These side effects can vary from mild to extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, including prescription drugs and herbal remedies like St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been found to have fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is why they are considered to be more effective than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. The SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be utilized to boost energy levels and make you feel more alert. They could be helpful for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of most common. These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness, however they can be beneficial for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They can also be used to treat the treatment of bulimia as well as to aid in quitting smoking.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based upon the notion that emotions and thoughts are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented, short-term process that can teach you new ways to cope with negative stressors and bad habits. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and feelings into positive feelings or behaviours. The method is a mix of two treatments, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term, and can be carried out in a group or individually. adhd adult treatment will be taught various methods by a therapist and then you'll use them in your everyday life. These techniques include learning to recognize negative thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping journals.
A therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that cause ineffective behaviors, and then provide strategies to change these beliefs. They will also help you learn how to tackle issues in your daily life. CBT therapists will encourage you to establish SMART goals to aid you to track your progress.
While each type of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies focus on identifying and changing the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. The therapists will use different techniques, but the majority are based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating events with their effects. During the therapy the person who is treating you will be rewarded for your accomplishments and penalize you for failing to complete them.
In the first few sessions your therapist will help you identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They may also assign homework to help you develop the techniques. Depending on the degree of your illness it could take up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a wide range of conditions including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It can also be effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that affects people as young seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that uses regular, planned meetings with a therapist to talk about your concerns. Usually these sessions last for approximately 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face or in groups. They can also be conducted via the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationships, friendships and family issues - as well as issues related to work.
A counselor will listen attentively to your problems and offer an objective viewpoint. They will be able to detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can alter them. They can help you learn techniques and coping techniques to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes like divorce or the loss of loved ones. They can teach you how 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.