Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatment options for ADD. It is important to try both to determine which is more effective.
People with classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and often hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, the basal Ganglia and thalamus. They also have low dopamine levels. Dopamine levels are usually increased in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of the body's systems. They are legal as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally often in combination with other substances, like methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They can be consumed in the form of syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are applied to the skin.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are among the most commonly used medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite, insomnia and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk to your doctor about any concerns.
About 70% to 80 percent of those who are taking ADHD medication will experience a reduction in symptoms. However, not everyone responds to the same medication, and the effects don't always lasting.
Certain people find that stimulants aren't working well or they don't like the negative effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants, but they do help improve attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to begin working, and they don't act as fast. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants, and do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and Clonidine. The most common side effect of these medicines is the feeling of drowsiness. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking them at the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are classified based on 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).
adult treatment for adhd may start you on a medication from one of these groups to help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, as it could take several weeks before you feel the full benefits. You and your doctor will determine which medicine is best for you. They can mix two antidepressants or other medicines to boost the effectiveness of your treatment. This is known as an augmentation. The most popular augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine, and lithium.
Different antidepressants have distinct adverse effects. You should discuss these side effects with your doctor since they could cause problems with your daily activities. These effects may 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 medications or herbal remedies you're taking, such as over-the-counter drugs and herbs like St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have less adverse effects than other types of antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine within 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 can be used to boost energy and make you feel more alert. They can be helpful for people suffering from anxiety or insomnia. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs 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 the treatment of bulimia as well as as a smoking cessation aid.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the belief that emotions, thoughts and behaviours are all connected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process that helps you discover new strategies to handle stressors and negative habits. It can also be used to treat anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.
adults adhd treatment is designed to transform negative thoughts and feelings into positive thoughts or behaviours. The method is a combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be done either in a group setting or in a private setting. You will be taught a variety of techniques by a therapist and then you will practice them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include: learning to recognize your negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist will also help you identify negative thoughts that lead to maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies to change these assumptions. They will also help you learn how to tackle issues in your daily routine. CBT therapists will also guide you to establish SMART goals (specific achievable, measurable relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavior therapy has an approach that is slightly different but they all are focused on identifying the underlying mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and changing them. Therapists employ various methods however they all are based on the principles operant and classical conditioning that involves associating stimuli to their effects. While you are in treatment you will be awarded for working through tasks. You'll also be penalized if you fail to complete them.
In the first few sessions together, your therapist and you will look for problematic behaviors and replace them by healthy ones. You might be assigned homework to help you build the abilities. You could require anywhere from six to twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the degree and nature of your condition.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of ailments such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD, a condition that is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy which uses planned, regular meetings with an therapist (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. Usually these sessions last for around 50 minutes and may be face-to-face in groups, or via telephone. Counselling can aid people suffering from a range of mental health issues including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about family, friendship, and relationship issues, as well as issues related to work.
A counsellor will listen carefully to your issues and provide an objective view. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They will be able to teach you coping skills and techniques to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you adjust to major life changes, such as divorce or loss of loved ones. They can help you learn to deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health plans from your doctor.