Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. It is important to try both to determine which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal Ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants accelerate the body's systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, as well as diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be used illegally and often mixed with other substances like methcathinone and cocaine. They are available as syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are placed on the skin.
They boost concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects like a decrease in appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is essential to talk to your doctor about any concerns.
Around 70 to 80% people who take ADHD medication will experience reduced symptoms. However, not everyone responds to the same medications, and the effects may not be lasting.
Some people find that stimulants don't work for them or they don't like the negative effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These medications may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can improve attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to start working, and they don't act as quickly. They do not raise dopamine levels, and they have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and Guanfacine. The most frequently reported side effect of these medicines is the feeling of drowsiness. However adults adhd treatment is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dose or taking them before bedtime. The drowsiness will diminish in the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group has distinct 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 may start you on one of these groups to help relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. adhd untreated in adults may not provide immediate relief. It may take several weeks before you feel their full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the best treatment for you. They can mix two antidepressants, or add other medicines to boost the effects of your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can have different adverse effects. You should discuss these adverse effects with your doctor, as they may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects may vary from mild to severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have less adverse effects than other types of antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine within the brain. This is why they are considered to be 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 are used for their energizing effects, helping you to feel more alert. They could be helpful for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are among the most popular. These medications can cause jitteriness or insomnia, but can be helpful for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used to treat the treatment of bulimia as well as to aid in quitting smoking.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. adhd untreated in adults is based on the belief that emotions, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process that can help you learn new methods to manage negative thoughts and stressors. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
The goal of CBT is to transform negative thoughts into positive feelings and behaviours. It is a combination of two therapies that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be performed in a group or individually. A therapist will guide you through various methods, and you'll apply them in your everyday life. These techniques include learning to recognize negative thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping journals.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that cause ineffective behaviors, and then teach you strategies for changing these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem solving techniques so that you are able to deal with challenges that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will encourage you to establish SMART goals to make it easier for you to monitor your progress.
While each form of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavior therapies are focused on identifying and changing thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ a variety of techniques, but the majority are built on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involve associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the therapy the therapist will be rewarded for your accomplishments and punish you for failing to complete the tasks.
During the first few sessions your therapist will help you identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be assigned homework to help you develop the skills. You could require anywhere between six and twenty one-onone sessions, based on the degree and nature of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a range of disorders, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective for adults suffering from ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to talk about your issues. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can help people with various mental health issues, including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about family, friendship, and relationship issues and also work-related issues.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your issues and provide an objective perspective. They can identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways to change them. They can also teach you strategies and coping techniques to manage anxiety, stress, or depression. They can assist you in dealing with major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how to deal with chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health care plans from your doctor.