Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Drugs and counseling are both effective treatment options for ADD. Both are crucial to test to see which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentive and unorganized, as well being hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants speed up the body's systems. They are legal as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, like cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available as pills, syrups, liquids or patches that are applied to the skin.
They improve concentration by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and enhance working memory. These are the most common medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can cause negative side effects, such as a decreased appetite, sleep disturbances and increased heart rate or blood pressure. They may interfere with certain medical treatments and medications Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Medications can reduce ADHD symptoms in about 70 percent to 80% of people who are taking them. Different people respond in a different way to the medication, and the effects may not last long.
Some people don't like stimulants or aren't able to tolerate their negative effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe nonstimulant drugs. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they can aid in improving attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to get started, and they don't act as fast. They don't increase dopamine levels, and they have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine), guanfacine, and Clonidine. The most common adverse effect of these drugs is sleepiness. However the drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within several weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, referred to as neurotransmitters. They are classified based on the way they affect neurotransmitters, with each class having a variety of medications 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).
A health care provider may start you on one of these groups in order to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, as it could take several weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the best medication for you. They can also add other medications or combine two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is called an augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants can have different side effects. You should discuss these side effects with your physician since they could cause problems with your daily activities. These effects can be mild or serious depending on the kind of antidepressant you're taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medications, including herbal remedies and prescription drugs such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been known to have fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine within 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 are primarily used for their energizing effects which help you feel more alert. They can be beneficial for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia that is very severe. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of the most commonly used. These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness, but they can be useful for many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia and also to aid smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a research-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the notion that thoughts, feelings and behaviours are all connected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that can help you learn new ways to deal with stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.
The aim of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive feelings and behaviors. It is a combination of two different therapies that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term, and can be carried out in a group setting or individually. You will be taught various techniques by a therapist and then you'll use them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include: learning to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation, and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can also help you identify the negative thoughts that can lead to maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies to change these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem solving skills so that you can face challenges in your everyday life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to establish SMART goals (specific goals that are measurable, achievable relevant, time-based, and relevant) to aid in tracking your progress.
While each type of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavioral treatments focus on identifying and changing underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. Therapists employ different methods but they all operate on the principle of operant and classical conditioning that involves relating stimuli to their effects. During the treatment the therapist will give you a reward for completing tasks and penalize those who fail to complete the tasks.
In the initial sessions together, your therapist and you will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them by healthy ones. You may be given homework to help you master the skills. It is possible that you will require anywhere from six to twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the degree and nature of your condition.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of disorders, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD which is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy which uses planned, regular meetings with an counselor (counsellor) to discuss your problems. The typical session lasts about 50 minutes. They can be face to face, in groups or via phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health issues that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. adult adhd treatment can be used to talk about friendship, family, and relationship issues, as well as workplace-related issues.
A counselor will listen attentively to your issues and provide an objective perspective. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can teach you coping skills and techniques to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you adjust to major life changes, such as divorce or loss of loved ones. They can teach you how to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health care plans from your doctor.