Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. It is essential to try both to determine which one is more efficient.
People with classic ADD tend to be inattentive and disorganized, as well being hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, basal Ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants speed up the body's systems. They are available in prescription medications such as amphetamines, methylphenidates and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be illegally used and often mixed with other substances such as methcathinone and cocaine. They are available in the form of liquids, pills, syrups or patches.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are among the most commonly used drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. They can cause side effects such as decreased appetite, insomnia and increased heart rate or blood pressure. They may interfere with certain medical treatments and medications It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Around 70 to 80% people who use ADHD medications will notice an improvement in symptoms. Not everyone responds the same way to the medication, and the effects may not last long.
Some people don't like stimulants or can't tolerate their negative effects. In this situation, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant medication. 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 boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to start working and don't work as quickly. They don't increase dopamine levels and have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and Guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most common side effect. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dose or taking them before the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks of starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group has 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 may start you on a medication from one of these groups to help relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, as it could take several weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medicine is best for you. They can mix two antidepressants or other medicines to improve the effectiveness of your treatment. This is called augmenting. The most popular augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about the side effects since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These side effects can be mild or extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, including prescription drugs and herbal remedies such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been found to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason they're believed to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used to boost energy and make you feel more awake. They are beneficial for people suffering from anxiety or insomnia. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) and mirtazapine are among the most commonly used. These drugs can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness. However, they can be beneficial for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used for the treatment of bulimia as well as as a smoking cessation aid.
adult adhd treatments for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the notion that feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is a measurable, short-term process that can teach you new ways to cope with problems and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive thoughts or behaviours. It is a combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be performed in a group setting or individually. A therapist will teach you different techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily routine. These techniques include: learning how to recognize negative thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping journals.
A therapist can help you identify the negative thoughts that can lead to behavior that is not optimal and provide strategies to change these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem solving techniques to help you deal with challenges that arise in your everyday life. CBT therapists will encourage you to establish SMART goals to help you to monitor your progress.
While each type of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavioral treatments focus on identifying and changing fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ a variety of techniques, but most are built on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involve associating stimuli with their effects. In treatment you will be awarded for working through tasks. You will also be penalized for failing to complete them.
In the first few sessions your therapist will help you identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you build the skills. Based on the degree of your illness, you may 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 can also be effective for adults suffering from ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy which uses regular, scheduled meetings with an therapist (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. Typically, these sessions last approximately 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face, in groups or via the phone. Counselling can be utilized to treat a variety of mental health issues that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationship, friendship and family issues - as well as work-related difficulties.
A counsellor will pay attention to your problems and provide an objective viewpoint. They can discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways to modify them. They can teach you coping skills and strategies for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you cope with major life changes like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can teach you how to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, and others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.