adult add treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and drugs are both effective treatments for ADD. Both are important to determine which is more effective.
People with classic ADD tend to be inattentive and unorganized, as well being hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, as well as diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and often mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone. They are available in the form of syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are applied to the skin.
They boost concentration by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently used medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can cause side-effects such as decreased appetite or difficulties sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can also interfere with certain medical and pharmaceutical treatments, so it's important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in around 70 percent to 80% of those who take them. Not all people respond the same way to the medication and the effects might not last long.
Some people find that stimulants don't work well, or they can't tolerate the side effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants but they can help improve attention, focus and control impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to get started, and they don't act as quickly. They do not raise dopamine levels, and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) and guanfacine and clonidine. The most frequently reported adverse effect of these drugs is drowsiness. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dosage or taking them at the time of bed. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks of beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on how they act on neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of somewhat different medications. 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 medicine that belongs to one of these groups in order to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief. It may take several weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medicine is best for you. They may add other medications or combine two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is referred to as augmenting. The most popular augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Antidepressants may have a variety of adverse effects. It is essential to talk with your doctor about the side effects as some may interfere with your daily activities. These effects can vary from mild to extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, including herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have fewer side-effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, 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 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 energy and help you feel more awake. They could be helpful for people suffering from anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause insomnia or jitteriness however they can be beneficial for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia and also to aid smokers in quitting.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a research-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the notion that feelings and thoughts are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented which can help you develop new ways to deal with negative thoughts and stressors. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and emotions into positive thoughts or behaviours. The technique is the combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It's a form of psychotherapy that's usually short-term, and it is able to be carried out in a group or individual setting. A therapist will teach you different methods, and you'll apply them in your everyday life. These techniques include: learning to recognize negative automatic thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping journals.
A therapist will also help you identify negative thoughts that can lead to maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies for changing these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem solving techniques so that you are able to deal with challenges that arise in your day-to-day life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to develop goals that are SMART (specific achievable, measurable, relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
Although each type of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies are focused on identifying and changing the underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. Therapists employ different methods but they are all based on the principles of operant and classic conditioning which involves associating stimuli to their effects. While you are in treatment you will be rewarded for working through tasks. You will also be punished when you fail to complete the task.
In the initial sessions together, your therapist and you will look for problematic behaviors and replace them by healthy ones. They may also assign homework to help you master the techniques. Depending on the degree of your illness it could take between 6 and 20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT can be used to treat a number of disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapy (counsellor) to discuss your problems. Typically, these sessions last around 50 minutes and can be face to face in groups, or via phone. Counselling can be utilized to treat a variety of mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationships, friendships and family issues, as well as issues related to work.
A counselor will pay attention to your issues and provide an objective perspective. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can help you learn techniques and coping strategies to manage anxiety, stress, or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of loved ones. They can also help you learn how to manage addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health plans from your doctor.