Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include drugs and counselling. Both are crucial to test to determine which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and the basal ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are legal as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally, often mixed with other substances, including cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available in the form of liquids, pills, syrups or patches.
They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can cause side-effects such as decreased appetite or difficulties sleeping, as well as an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk with your doctor regarding any concerns.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in around 70 percent to 80% of the people who are taking them. However, not all people respond to the same medications, and the effects may not be long-lasting.
Some people aren't a fan of stimulants or don't like their side effects. In this instance doctors may prescribe nonstimulant medication. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants but they can help improve attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to effect and aren't as effective. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and Guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most common side consequence. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dose or taking them before bedtime. The drowsiness will subside in the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. They are classified according to the way they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having drugs 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 recommend a medication from one of these groups in order to alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, since it could take a few weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the best treatment for you. They can mix two antidepressants or other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most popular enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have different adverse effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about the side effects as some may interfere with your daily activities. These effects can vary from mild to severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, such as over-the-counter drugs and herbs such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are known to have fewer side-effects than other types of antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is why they are considered to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other medications. The SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used to boost your energy levels, helping you to feel more awake. They could be helpful for people who have anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban, Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness. However, they can be useful for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used for the treatment of bulimia as well as as a smoking cessation aid.
treating adhd in adults for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a research-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the idea that thoughts and feelings are connected and can be altered. CBT is a measurable, short-term program that teaches you new methods to deal with negative stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive thoughts or behaviours. The technique is an amalgamation of two treatments that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy that's usually short-term and is able to be carried out in a group or an individual setting. A therapist will teach you various techniques, and you'll practice them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include: learning to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change these beliefs. They will also help you learn how to tackle issues that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will also guide you to establish SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable relevant, time-based, and relevant) to aid in tracking your progress.
While each type of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavior therapies focus on identifying and changing underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. Therapists employ different methods but they all operate on the principles operant and classic conditioning which involves associating stimuli to their effects. In treatment you will be awarded for the accomplishment of tasks. You will also be penalized when you fail to complete them.
In the first few sessions your therapist will assist you to identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They may also assign homework to help you learn the techniques. It is possible that you will require anywhere between six and twenty one-onone sessions, based on the nature and severity of your condition.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of ailments, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD which can affect people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to talk about your concerns. The typical session lasts approximately 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from a range of mental health issues, including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about friendship, family, and relationship issues, as well as workplace-related issues.
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 change them. They can teach you coping strategies and techniques to manage depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you cope with major life changes like divorce or the loss of a loved one. 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 in the event that you have mental health plans from your doctor.