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 are inattentive, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and basal Ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Dopamine levels are usually increased in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, like methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available as syrups, pills or liquids, or patches that are placed on the skin.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite or trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They can interfere with some medical and pharmaceutical treatments It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Around 70 to 80% people who are taking ADHD medication will experience reduced symptoms. Not everyone responds the same way to the medication and the effects might not last long.
Some people discover that stimulants aren't working well, or they can't tolerate the side effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant medications. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve attention, focus and control impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to get started and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants, and they don't increase dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and guanfacine. The most frequent side effect of these medicines is sleepiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at bedtime. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks after the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by how they interact with 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 health care provider might suggest you start taking one of these groups to help alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It may take several weeks to experience the full benefit. Your doctor and you will decide on the best medication for you. You may mix two antidepressants or add other medicines to boost the effects of your treatment. This is known as augmentation. The most common augmentation drugs are aripiprazole, quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have distinct adverse effects. It is important to discuss these side effects with your doctor because they could interfere with your daily activities. These effects can range from mild to severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant that you're taking. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medications, including herbal remedies and prescription drugs like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have fewer side-effects than other types of antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are considered more effective than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are utilized for their energizing effects which help you feel more alert. They can be helpful for people with insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness, however they can be beneficial for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia, and also to aid smokers in quitting.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the notion that feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure which can help you develop new strategies to handle stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive thoughts or behaviours. The technique is a mixture of two treatments which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy which is usually short-term, and it is able to be carried out in a group or individual setting. The therapist will instruct you on various methods, and you'll apply them in your everyday life. These techniques include: understanding how to recognize negative thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping journals.
A therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that can lead you to engage in maladaptive behavior and help you learn to change these thoughts. They will also show you how to solve problems in your daily routine. Therapists in CBT will also help you to develop goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based) to help you track your progress.
While each type of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavior therapies are focused on identifying and changing the underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. Therapists employ various methods but they are all based on the principles operant and classical conditioning that involves the association of stimuli with their effects. In treatment, you will be rewarded for the accomplishment of tasks. Additionally, you will be punished if you fail to complete the task.
During the first few sessions, your therapist will assist you to identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you build the skills. Based on the severity of your condition it could take up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a range of conditions including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD which affects people as young seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that consists of regular, scheduled meetings with a therapy (counsellor) to discuss your problems. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health problems that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationships, friendships and family issues as well as work-related difficulties.
A counsellor will pay attention to your issues and provide an objective perspective. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. Full Posting can teach you techniques and coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you deal with major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can help you learn to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, and others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.