Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. Both are important to determine which is more effective.
People with classic ADD tend to be inattentive and disorganized, as well being hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and the basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants accelerate the body's systems. They are legal as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used often in combination with other substances, such as methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available in the form of liquids, pills, syrups or patches.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are among the most commonly used drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. Iam Psychiatry can cause side effects such as decreased appetite, sleep disturbances and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk with your doctor regarding any concerns.
Around 70 to 80 percent of people who take ADHD medication will experience reduced symptoms. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects may not last for long.
Some people aren't a fan of stimulants or can't tolerate their negative effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but they can aid in improving attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to get started and they don't react as quickly. They do not raise dopamine levels, and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and the guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side consequence. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dose or taking the medication prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness will diminish in several weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. They are classified according to the way they affect these neurotransmitters, with each class having a variety of medications 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 might not provide immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine the best treatment for you. They may add other medications or mix two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is referred to as augmenting. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can cause 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 can range from mild to extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, such as over-the-counter drugs and herbs such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have fewer side-effects than other types of antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs boost levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is why SNRIs are thought to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes 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 may be useful for those suffering from insomnia or very severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of the most popular. These medications can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness, but they are beneficial to many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia and to assist smokers in quitting.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the notion that emotions, thoughts and behaviours are all connected and can be altered. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented which can help you develop new ways to deal with anxiety and negative habits. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
The aim of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. The method is a combination of two therapies: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be performed either in a group setting or individually. You will be taught various techniques by a therapist and then you will practice them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include the ability to recognize negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can also assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that lead to maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies to change these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem-solving techniques so that you are able to handle challenges that come up in your daily life. CBT therapists will also guide you to develop goals that are SMART (specific achievable, measurable relevant, time-based, and relevant) to aid in tracking your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavior therapy has an approach that is slightly different but they all are focused on identifying the fundamental thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and changing them. Therapists employ a variety of techniques, but most are based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the treatment, the trainer will reward you for completing tasks and will punish you for failing to complete them.
During the first few sessions your therapist will assist you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You may be given homework to help you build the abilities. Based on the degree of your illness it could take up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of conditions, including anxiety depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adults with ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to talk about your concerns. The typical session lasts approximately 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or over the telephone. 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 discuss relationship, friendship and family issues - as well as issues related to work.
A counselor will listen to your concerns and offer an objective perspective. They will be able to discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can change them. They will be able to teach you coping skills and techniques to manage depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you adjust to major life changes like divorce or loss of a loved one. They can teach you how to deal with chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, while others may be covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.