Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include drugs and counselling. It is important to try both to determine which one is more effective.
People with classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and often hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are legal as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used, often mixed with other substances, like cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available in the form of pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They improve concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite, insomnia and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can also interfere with certain medical and pharmaceutical treatments It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Around 70 to 80% people who take ADHD medications will experience reduced symptoms. Different people respond in a different 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 negative effects. In this situation doctors will prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These drugs may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can help improve concentration and focus and control impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to effect and don't perform as efficiently. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants, and don't increase dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine), guanfacine, and the clonidine. The most frequent adverse effect of these drugs is drowsiness. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dose or taking them before the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks of starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are grouped 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).
Your health care provider might prescribe a medication belonging to one of these groups in order to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It may take several weeks before you feel their full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the most effective medication for you. They may combine two antidepressants or other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is known as augmenting. The most common augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine, and lithium.
Antidepressants may have a variety of side effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects, because some could affect your daily activities. These side effects may be mild or serious depending on the kind of antidepressant you're taking. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medication, including herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been proven to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are considered more effective than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life, and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used for their energizing effects which help you feel more alert. adhd treatment guidelines may be useful for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of the most common. These drugs can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, but they can be beneficial for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used for bulimia and as a smoking cessation aid.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based upon the notion that thoughts and feelings are connected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process that can help you learn new ways to deal with stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
The goal of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. The method is a mix of two different therapies that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy that's usually short-term, and it is able to be carried out in a group or an individual setting. The therapist will instruct you on different methods, and you'll apply them in your daily routine. These techniques include understanding how to recognize negative thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping journals.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that cause you to adopting maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change your beliefs. They'll also help you develop problem-solving skills so that you can deal with challenges that arise in your everyday life. CBT therapists will also guide you to set 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 underlying mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and then changing them. The therapists will use different methods, but they are all based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involve associating stimuli with their effects. During treatment, you will be rewarded for the accomplishment of tasks. You will also be punished when you fail to complete the task.
In your first few sessions, you and your therapist will identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you build the skills. It is possible that you will require anywhere from six to twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the degree and nature of your illness.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of disorders, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adults suffering from ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy which uses planned, regular meetings with a therapy (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from various mental health issues including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationship, friendship and family issues as well as work-related difficulties.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your issues and provide an objective view. They will be able to detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can modify them. They can teach you coping strategies and strategies for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you cope with major life events, such as divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can teach you how to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health plans from your doctor.