Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. Both are important to test to see which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentive and disorganized, as well as hyperactive. They have low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low dopamine levels. Dopamine levels tend to increase as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants accelerate the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, like methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available as syrups, pills or liquids, or patches that are applied to the skin.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity, and 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 blood pressure or heart rate. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk to your doctor about any concerns.
Around 70 to 80 percent of those who are taking ADHD medications will notice reduced symptoms. However, treatment for adhd in adults respond to the same medication and the effects don't always long-lasting.
Some people aren't a fan of stimulants or can't tolerate their adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe non-stimulant medications. These drugs might not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can boost concentration and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications are more difficult to use and don't perform as efficiently. They do not raise dopamine levels and have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and the clonidine. The most frequently reported adverse effect of these drugs is the feeling of drowsiness. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks of the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of slightly 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 relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks to experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide which medication works best for you. They can mix two antidepressants, or add other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is called augmenting. The most common enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have different adverse effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These side effects could be mild or serious depending on the kind 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 less adverse effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are thought to be more effective 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 to boost your energy levels which help you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of the most commonly used. These drugs can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness, however they are beneficial to many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia and also to aid smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that emotions, thoughts and behaviours are all connected and can be changed. CBT is a measurable, short-term process that can teach you new ways to cope with negative stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive thoughts or behaviours. The method is a combination of two therapies that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This type of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be done either in a group setting or in a private setting. You will be taught different techniques by a therapist, and then you will practice them in daily life. These techniques include: learning to recognize negative automatic thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a journal.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that can lead to behavior that is not optimal and teach you strategies for changing these assumptions. They will also help you learn how to solve problems in your daily life. CBT therapists encourage you to set SMART goals to help you to track your progress.
While each form of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavior therapies are focused on identifying and changing underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but most are based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involve associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. While you are in treatment you will be rewarded for the accomplishment of tasks. You'll also be penalized when you fail to complete the task.
In the initial few sessions, your therapist will work with you to identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You may be given homework to help you develop the skills. Depending on the nature of your condition you could require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of conditions, including anxiety depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD which can affect people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves planned, regular meetings with an therapy (counsellor) to discuss your problems. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or by phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from a range of mental health issues including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about family, friendship, and relationship issues, as well as work-related difficulties.
A counselor will listen attentively to your issues and provide an objective viewpoint. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can help you learn techniques and coping skills for managing anxiety, stress or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes like divorce or loss of loved ones. They can also teach you how to deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, and others may be covered by Medicare rebates when you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.