Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. add in adults treatment are crucial to test to determine which is more efficient.
adult add treatment suffering from classic ADD tend to be irritable and disorganized, as well as hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are legal as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally often in combination with other substances, like cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be taken as pills, syrups, liquids or patches that are placed on the skin.
They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, and improve working memory. These are the most common medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, insomnia and an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. They may interfere with certain medical and pharmaceutical treatments Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
About 70-80 percent of those who use ADHD medication will experience a reduction in symptoms. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects might not last long.
Some people don't like stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their negative effects. In this case doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can improve attention and focus and control impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to work and aren't as effective. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine), guanfacine, and Clonidine. 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 prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness will diminish in the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group has 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 might suggest you start taking a medication from one of these groups to alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It can take several weeks to feel the full benefit. You and your doctor will determine which medication is best for you. You may also take other medications or combine two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is called augmenting. The most common augmentation medications are Aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It is recommended to discuss these side effects with your doctor because they could interfere in your daily activities. These side effects can be mild or severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant that you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been found to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is why they're considered 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, helping you to feel more awake. They could be helpful for people who have insomnia or very severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of the most commonly used. These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, but they are beneficial to many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia, and to assist smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the notion that feelings, thoughts and behaviours are all connected and can be altered. CBT is a measurable, short-term procedure that can teach you new strategies to deal with stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
The purpose of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive feelings and behavior. The technique is a mixture of two therapies, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term, and can be carried out in a group or in a private setting. You will be taught different techniques by a therapist, and then you will practice them in your daily life. These techniques include learning how to recognize negative thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping journals.
A therapist will also help you identify negative thoughts that cause behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies for changing these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem solving techniques so that you are able to deal with challenges that arise in your day-to-day life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to set SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable relevant, time-based, and relevant) to make it easier to track your progress.
While each form of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavior therapies focus on identifying and changing underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. The therapists will use different techniques, but the majority are based on the concepts of classical and operant conditioning, which involve associating stimuli with their effects. During the treatment the person who is treating you will give you a reward for completing tasks and penalize those who fail to complete the tasks.
In the initial few sessions, your therapist will assist you to identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you master the abilities. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may require 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 for adults suffering from ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that uses regular, planned meetings with a therapist to talk about your issues. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can help people with various mental health issues like depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about relationship, family and friendship issues, as well as work-related issues.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your problems and provide an objective viewpoint. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can teach you strategies for coping and techniques to manage depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you adjust to major life changes such as divorce or the loss of loved ones. They can also show you how to deal with addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health plan from your doctor.