Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. Both are essential to test to determine which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and often hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal Ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low dopamine levels. Treatment typically involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used often in combination with other substances, including methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They can be taken as syrups, pills or liquids, or patches that are applied to the skin.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can cause side-effects like a decrease in appetite or trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interfere with certain medications and medical conditions Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in around 70 percent to 80% of those who are taking them. However, not everyone responds to the same medications, and the effects don't always long-lasting.
Some people aren't a fan of stimulants or don't like their negative effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe non-stimulant medications. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can improve focus and attention and control impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to start working and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants, and they do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and the guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most common side result. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at the time of sleep. The drowsiness will diminish in a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. They are classified based on the way they affect these neurotransmitters with each class having a variety of medications that act 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 physician may prescribe a medication belonging to one of these groups to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you experience the full benefits. You and your doctor will decide which medication works best for you. You may mix two antidepressants or add other medicines to improve the effectiveness of your treatment. This is known as augmenting. The most commonly used enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Antidepressants can cause a variety of adverse effects. You should discuss these adverse effects with your doctor since they could cause problems in your daily activities. These side effects may be severe or mild, depending on the type antidepressant that you are taking. made my day should also inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, such as prescription drugs and herbal remedies such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been proven to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why they're considered to be more efficient 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 can be used to boost energy levels and help you feel more awake. They are beneficial for people suffering from anxiety or insomnia. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban, Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness. However, they can be beneficial for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia and to help smokers quit.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that emotions, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and can be altered. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term process that can teach you new methods to deal with stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
The goal of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behavior. The technique is a mixture of two treatments, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This type of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be performed in a group or on an individual basis. The therapist will instruct you on various techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include learning to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.
A Therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that can lead you to engage in maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change your beliefs. They'll also teach you problem solving techniques so that you are able to deal with challenges that arise in your everyday life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to set goals that are SMART (specific goals that are measurable, achievable relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.
While each form of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavior therapies focus on identifying and changing the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. The therapists will use different methods, but they are all based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involve associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the treatment, the therapist will reward you for completing tasks and will punish you for not completing them.
In the initial few sessions, your therapist will assist you to identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They may also assign homework to help you learn the skills. Based on the nature of your condition it could take up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD which affects people as young seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that uses regular, planned meetings with a therapist to talk about your issues. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can help people with many mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationships, friendships and family issues, and also work-related issues.
A counsellor will listen carefully to your problems and offer an objective view. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They will be able to teach you strategies for coping and techniques to manage depression, anxiety, or stress. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes, such as divorce or loss of a loved one. They can also help you learn how to cope with addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, while others may be covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health plan from your doctor.