"Ask Me Anything": Ten Answers To Your Questions About Treatments For ADD
Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatments for ADD. Both are important to test to see which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and often hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants accelerate the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used, often mixed with other substances, including methcathinone and cocaine (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 the brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite, trouble sleeping and increased heart rate or blood pressure. They can interfere with some medical treatments and medications Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
About 70-80 percent of people who take ADHD medications will experience an improvement in symptoms. Not all people respond the same way to the medication and the effects may not last long.
Some people find that stimulants don't work well or they aren't able to handle the negative effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These medications may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can boost attention and focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to work and aren't as effective. They affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants, and don't increase dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and the guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side result. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication prior to bedtime. The drowsiness will diminish in several weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by how they interact with neurotransmitters. adults adhd treatment has distinct medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
A doctor might suggest you start taking a medication from one of these groups to relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, since it could take a few weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the best treatment for you. They can mix two antidepressants or other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is known as augmenting. The most popular augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine, and lithium.
Antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It is important to speak with your doctor about these side effects, as some may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects could be mild or severe, depending on the type antidepressant that you are taking. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medications, including herbal remedies and prescription drugs like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been known to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and 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 include duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used for their energizing effects, helping you to feel more alert. They can be helpful for people with insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness. However, they can be beneficial for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used to treat bulimia and for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems is a well-established treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that emotions, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is a goal-oriented, short-term process that can teach you new ways to cope with stressors and bad habits. It can also be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
The purpose of CBT is to transform negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. The technique is an amalgamation of two treatments that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy that is often short-term, and is able to be carried out in a private or group setting. A therapist will guide you through different techniques, and you'll practice them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include: the ability to recognize negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.
A Therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that cause you to adopting maladaptive behavior and help you learn to change these beliefs. They will also show you how to solve problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to develop goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavior therapy has an entirely different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the underlying thoughts that cause emotional distress and changing them. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but most are built on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involve associating stimuli with their effects. During the therapy the person who is treating you will give you a reward for completing tasks and will punish you for not completing them.
In the first few sessions the therapist will work with you to identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They may also assign homework to help you learn the techniques. You could require anywhere between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the severity and nature of your illness.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of conditions that include depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that can affect people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that consists of regular, scheduled sessions with the therapy (counsellor) to discuss your problems. Typically, these sessions last around 50 minutes and can be face to face in groups, or via telephone. Counselling can aid people suffering from various mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about relationship, family and friendship issues, as well as work-related issues.
A counsellor will pay attention to your problems and provide an objective viewpoint. They will be able to discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can modify them. They can help you learn techniques and coping skills for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes such as divorce or loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how to deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health care plans from your doctor.