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 with classic ADD tend to be inattentional and unorganized, as well as hyperactive. They have low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal Ganglia and thalamus. They also have low dopamine levels. Dopamine levels are usually increased in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used often in combination with other substances, like cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available as pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects like a decrease in appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk with your physician about any concerns.
About 70% to 80 percent of those who are taking
adhd in adults characterization diagnosis and treatment medications will experience a reduction in symptoms. Different people respond in a different way to the medication, and the effects might not last long.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or don't like their adverse effects. In this instance, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant medications. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can boost concentration and focus and control impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to effect and aren't as effective. They do not raise dopamine levels and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and Guanfacine. The most frequently reported side effect of these medicines is sleepiness. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dose or taking the medication at the time of sleep. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. They are classified according to how they affect 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 physician may prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, as it can take weeks before you feel the full benefits. You and your doctor will decide which medication works best for you. You may also take other medications or combine two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is called augmenting. The most commonly used enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine, and lithium.
Different antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It is recommended to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor because they could interfere with your daily activities. These effects can be mild or severe dependent on the type of antidepressant 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 have been found to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is why they are considered to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other medications. The SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used to boost your energy levels and make you feel more alert. They may be useful for people suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These
drugs used to treat adhd can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness. However, they can be beneficial for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia and to help smokers quit.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a research-based
treatment for add adhd in adults for mental health disorders. It is based upon the idea that feelings and thoughts are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term process that can teach you new ways to cope with negative stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive feelings or behaviours. The method is an amalgamation of two treatments which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This type of psychotherapy is usually short-term, and can be carried out in a group setting or on an individual basis. A therapist will guide you through different techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your daily routine. Some of these techniques include the ability to recognize negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.
A therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that can lead you to take on a negative behavior, and show you how to change these thoughts. They'll also help you develop problem-solving techniques to help you deal with challenges that arise in your everyday life. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals in order to aid you to keep track of your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavior therapy has an approach that is slightly different however, they all concentrate on identifying the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress and then changing them. The therapists will use different methods, but they are all based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves relating stimuli with their effects. During the treatment the therapist will reward you for completing tasks and punish you for failing to complete them.
In the initial sessions, you and your therapist will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them with healthy ones. They may also assign homework to help you develop the abilities. You could require anywhere from six to twenty one-onone sessions, based on the degree and nature of your condition.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of ailments such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also works in
treating adhd And Depression In adults adult ADHD which can affect people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled meetings with a therapist to talk about your concerns. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or by phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health problems that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family and relationship issues, as well as work-related issues.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your problems and provide an objective view. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can help you learn techniques and coping skills for managing anxiety, stress or depression. They can help you adjust to major life changes such as divorce or the loss of loved ones. They can help you learn to deal with chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health plans from your doctor.
