Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. It is essential to try both to determine which one is more effective.
People with classic ADD tend to be irritable and disorganized, as well being hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants speed up the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available as syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are placed on the skin.
They improve concentration by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, and improve working memory. These are the most common medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite, insomnia and an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. They may interfere with certain medical and pharmaceutical treatments It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Around 70 to 80 percent of people who use ADHD medication will experience reduced symptoms. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects may not last long.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their negative effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe non-stimulant medications. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve focus, attention and control of impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to get started, and they don't act as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants, and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and the clonidine. Drowsiness is the most common side effect. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside in several weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to 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 medical professional might suggest you start taking a medication from one of these groups to relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine the best medication for you. They may combine two antidepressants or add other medicines to boost the effects of your treatment. This is called an augmentation. The most common augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine, and lithium.
Different antidepressants have distinct adverse effects. It is important to speak 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. Inform your doctor if taking any other medication, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have less side-effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are considered more efficient than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are utilized for their energizing effects and help you feel more awake. They can be helpful for those suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are among the most commonly used. These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness, however they are beneficial to many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia and to help smokers quit.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based upon the idea that emotions and thoughts are connected and can be altered. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term program that teaches you new strategies to deal with problems and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and emotions into positive thoughts or behaviours. The technique is a mixture of two different therapies which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be done in a group setting or on an individual basis. You will be taught different methods by a therapist and then you'll use them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include learning to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that lead you to engage in maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change these beliefs. They'll also help you develop problem-solving techniques to help you face challenges in your day-to-day life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to set goals that are SMART (specific goals that are measurable, achievable relevant, time-based, and relevant) to make it easier to track your progress.
While each form of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies focus on identifying and changing thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. The therapists use different techniques however they all are based on the principles operant and classical conditioning that involves associating stimuli to their effects. During the treatment the person who is treating you will be rewarded for your accomplishments and will punish you for not completing them.
In the first few sessions together, your therapist and you will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them with healthier ones. They may also assign homework to help you learn the techniques. Based on the degree of your illness it could take anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of disorders, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD which is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled meetings with the counselor (counsellor) to discuss your issues. Typically, these sessions last approximately 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face, in groups or over the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationship, friendship and family issues, as well as issues related to work.
A counsellor will pay attention to your problems and provide an objective perspective. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can teach you techniques and coping techniques to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes like divorce or loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how to cope with addictions or a chronic illness.
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.