Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. It is essential to try both to determine which one is more efficient.
People with classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally frequently mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available in the form of syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can cause adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping and increased heart rate or blood pressure. They can also interfere with certain medications and medical conditions, so it's important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in around 70% to 80% of the people who take them. Not everyone responds the same way to the medication, and the effects may not last long.
Some people find that stimulants don't work for them or they don't like the side effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe nonstimulant drugs. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve focus, attention and control of impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to begin working, and they don't act as quickly. They don't raise dopamine levels and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and the guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side effect. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication before the time of sleep. The drowsiness will diminish in several weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are classified based on how they affect these neurotransmitters with each group having drugs that act 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 medical professional might suggest you start taking one of these groups to relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, as it could take a few weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide which medication works best for you. They may combine two antidepressants, or add other medications to enhance the effects of your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have distinct side effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about these side effects as some may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects may be mild or severe dependent on the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs like St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been found to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. Iam Psychiatry is why SNRIs are considered 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 may be useful for people who have insomnia or very severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are among the most popular. These drugs can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness, but they can be beneficial for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia, and to assist smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based upon the notion that feelings and thoughts are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure which can help you develop new methods to manage stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive emotions or behaviors. The technique is an amalgamation of two treatments which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be performed in a group setting or individually. You will be taught a variety of methods by a therapist and then you'll use them in daily life. These techniques include: learning to recognize negative thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping a journal.
A Therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that cause you to take on a negative behavior and teach you how to change these beliefs. They will also show you how to solve problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to develop goals that are SMART (specific achievable, measurable relevant, time-based, and relevant) to aid in tracking your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavioral therapy takes an entirely different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the fundamental mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and then changing them. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but the majority are built on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involve associating events with their effects. While you are in treatment, you will be rewarded for completing tasks. You will also be penalized when you fail to complete the task.
In the initial few sessions your therapist will assist you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the skills. Depending on the severity of your condition it could take anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a wide range of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It also works for adult ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that uses regular, planned meetings with a therapist to discuss your concerns. Typically, these sessions last approximately 50 minutes and can be face to face, in groups or over the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss family, friendship, and relationship issues - and also work-related issues.
A counsellor will listen carefully to your concerns and provide an objective perspective. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can teach you coping strategies and strategies for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes like divorce or the loss of loved ones. They can help you learn to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health care plans from your doctor.