Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include drugs and counselling. It is essential to try both to determine which is more effective.
People with classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available in the form of prescription drugs like amphetamines, methylphenidates, as well as diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be used illegally and often mixed with other substances such as methcathinone and cocaine. They are available in the form of syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They improve concentration by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and help improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as a decreased appetite, difficulties sleeping, as well as an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They may interfere with certain medications and medical conditions, so it's important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
Around 70 to 80% people who take ADHD medications will notice reduced symptoms. Not all people respond the same way to the medication and the effects may not last for long.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or can't tolerate their adverse effects. In this situation doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but they do aid in improving attention, focus and control impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to work and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants, and they do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and guanfacine. The most common side effect of these medications is drowsiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at the time of bed. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters. They are classified based on how they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having 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 that belongs to one of these groups to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It may take several weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medication is best for you. They can mix two antidepressants, or add other medicines to improve the effects of your treatment. This is referred to as an augmentation. The most popular enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have different adverse effects. It is important to discuss these side effects with your physician because they could interfere with your daily activities. These effects can be mild or severe depending on the kind of antidepressant that you are taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs like St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been proven to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is the reason they're believed to be more effective than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be utilized to boost energy levels and make you feel more alert. They are beneficial for those suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban, Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness, but they are beneficial to many people suffering from 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 on the idea that emotions, thoughts and actions are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process that helps you discover new strategies to handle negative thoughts and stressors. It can be used to treat anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.
The purpose of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behavior. It is the combination of two therapies that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be performed in a group setting or on an individual basis. A therapist will guide you through different methods, and you'll apply them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include the ability to recognize negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that lead to ineffective behaviors, and then teach you strategies to change these assumptions. They'll also teach you problem-solving techniques to help you face challenges in your everyday life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to set goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable relevant, time-based, and relevant) 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 thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. The therapists use a variety of methods, but they are all based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the treatment the person who is treating you will reward you for completing tasks and penalize you for failing to complete them.
In the initial few sessions your therapist will assist you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be assigned homework to help you master the abilities. treatment for add may need anywhere from six to twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the severity and nature of your illness.
CBT can be used to treat a number of ailments, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that can affect people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that consists of regular, scheduled meetings with a therapist (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 help people with a range of mental health issues like 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 listen carefully to your concerns and provide an objective perspective. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can help you learn techniques and coping skills for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of loved ones. They can also show you how to manage addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health care plans from your doctor.