Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include drugs and counselling. It is important to try both to determine which one is more efficient.
People with classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and often hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment typically involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally, often mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available in the form of pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They enhance concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are among the most commonly used medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping and a rise in blood pressure or heart rate. They can also interfere with certain medications and medical conditions, so it's important to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
Medications can reduce ADHD symptoms in 70 percent to 80% of people who are taking them. Different people respond in a different way to the medication, and the effects may not last for long.
Some people discover that stimulants don't work well or they don't like the adverse effects. In this situation, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant medication. These drugs might not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can boost attention and focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to work and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants and don't increase dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and the guanfacine. The most frequently reported side effect of these medicines is drowsiness. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication before bedtime. 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 how they interact with neurotransmitters. Each group has somewhat 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 a medication from one of these groups in order to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, as it could take several weeks before you feel the full benefits. You and your doctor will determine which medicine is best for you. You may mix two antidepressants, or add other medicines to boost the effectiveness of your treatment. This is referred to as an augmentation. The most common augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Different antidepressants have distinct side effects. You should discuss these side effects with your doctor because they could interfere in your daily activities. These effects may be mild or extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have less adverse effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is why they're considered 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 your energy levels and make you feel more alert. They can be helpful for people suffering from anxiety or insomnia. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are two of most commonly used. These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness, however they can be useful for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia and to assist smokers in quitting.
adhd symptoms and treatment for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the notion that emotions and thoughts are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term procedure that can teach you new methods to deal with problems and bad habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive feelings or behaviours. It is a combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy which is usually short-term and is able to be carried out in a group or individual setting. You will be taught various techniques by a therapist and then you'll use them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include learning to recognize your negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.
A therapist can also help you identify the negative thoughts that can lead to ineffective behaviors, and then provide strategies to change these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem-solving skills so that you can handle challenges that come up in your daily life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to develop goals that are SMART (specific achievable, measurable, relevant, and time-based) to help you track your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavioral therapy takes an approach that is slightly different but they all are focused on identifying the underlying thoughts which contribute to emotional distress and changing them. The therapists use different techniques but they are all based on the principles operant and classic conditioning which involves relating stimuli to their effects. During the treatment the therapist will reward you for completing tasks and punish those who fail to complete the tasks.
In the first few sessions together, your therapist and you will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them by healthy ones. You may be given homework to help you master the abilities. Based on the severity of your condition you could require up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adults with ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves planned, regular meetings with a counselor (counsellor) to discuss your problems. 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 that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss family, friendship, and relationship issues and also work-related issues.
A counselor will listen to your problems and provide an objective viewpoint. They will be able to detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can alter them. They will be able to teach you strategies for coping and techniques for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes, such as divorce or loss of loved ones. They can teach you how to deal with chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others may be covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health plan from your doctor.