The No. #1 Question Everybody Working In Treatments For ADD Needs To Know How To Answer
Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. It is important to try both to determine which one is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and the basal Ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment typically involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are available in the form of prescription drugs like 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 can be taken as pills, syrups or liquids, or patches which are applied to the skin.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, and improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is important to speak with your physician about any concerns.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in about 70% to 80% of those who use them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication and the effects aren't always long-lasting.
Some people find that stimulants don't work for them, or they can't tolerate the side effects. In this instance doctors will prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants but they can aid in improving attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to start working and don't work as quickly. They do not raise dopamine levels and have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and clonidine and the guanfacine. The most common side effect of these medications is drowsiness. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at the time of bed. The drowsiness should diminish within several weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are classified according to the way they affect neurotransmitters, with each group having drugs 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 doctor may prescribe a medicine that belongs to one of these groups to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief. It can take several weeks before you feel their full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the best medication for you. They can mix two antidepressants, or add other medicines to boost the effects of your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are Aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants can have different adverse effects. You should discuss these adverse effects with your doctor since they could cause problems with your daily activities. These side effects could be mild or severe depending on the kind of antidepressant that you are taking. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medication, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been found to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is why SNRIs are considered more efficient 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 used to boost energy levels and help you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people who have insomnia or very severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of most common. These drugs can cause jitteriness or insomnia but they can be helpful for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia, and also to aid smokers in quitting.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the notion that thoughts, feelings and behaviours are all connected and can be changed. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented that helps you discover new methods to manage stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
The goal of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. It is a combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be performed either in a group setting or individually. The therapist will instruct you on various methods, and you'll apply them in your daily life. These techniques include: learning how to recognize negative automatic thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping a journal.
A therapist will also assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that cause maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies for changing these assumptions. They will also show you how to tackle issues in your daily routine. CBT therapists will also guide you to develop SMART goals (specific goals that are measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
Although each type of cognitive behavioral therapy takes a slightly different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the thoughts that cause emotional distress and transforming them. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but the majority are based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves relating events with their effects. During the treatment the therapist will be rewarded for your accomplishments and penalize those who fail to complete them.
In your initial sessions, you and your therapist will identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You may be given homework to help you build the skills. It is possible that you will require anywhere from six to twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the nature and severity of your condition.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of ailments such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also works for adults suffering from ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to discuss your issues. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or over the phone. adult add treatments can help people with many mental health issues like 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 problems and offer an objective perspective. They will be able to detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways to modify them. They will be able to teach you coping skills and strategies for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can assist you in dealing with major life changes such as divorce or the loss of a loved. They can help you learn to deal with chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, whereas others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.