Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatment options for ADD. Both are important to determine which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia. 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 legally available as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used often in combination with other substances, such as methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available as syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
treatment for add enhance concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and enhance working memory. They are among the most commonly used medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects like a decrease in appetite or trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can also interfere with certain medical and pharmaceutical treatments Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in 70% to 80% of those who take them. However, not all people respond to the same medication and the effects may not be long-lasting.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or can't tolerate their side effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs might not be as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve focus and attention and control impulses. Doctors may prescribe them along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to begin working and don't work as fast. They affect neurotransmitters in a different way than stimulants, and they don't increase dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and the clonidine. The most frequent adverse effect of these drugs is the feeling of drowsiness. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dose or taking them before bedtime. The drowsiness will subside in a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to how they interact with neurotransmitters. Each group contains distinct medications. 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 might recommend a medication from one of these groups in order to alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, since it can take weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide which medication works best for you. They may add additional medications or combine two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is referred to as an augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can cause a variety of adverse effects. You should discuss these adverse effects with your doctor because they could interfere in your daily activities. These side effects could be mild or serious dependent on the type of antidepressant that you are taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medication, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are known to have less side-effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine within the brain. This is why they're considered to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life, and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used for their energizing effects which help you feel more alert. They may be useful for people suffering from insomnia or very severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of the most popular. These medications can cause insomnia or jitteriness however they can be beneficial for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used to treat the treatment of bulimia as well as to aid in quitting smoking.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the belief that emotions 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 methods to manage negative thoughts and stressors. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety.
The purpose of CBT is to transform negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. The technique is a combination of two therapies: cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It's a form of psychotherapy that's usually short-term, and can be performed in a private or group setting. You will be taught various methods by a therapist and then you'll use them in your everyday life. Some of these techniques include being able to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, implementing 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 provide strategies to change these assumptions. They'll also teach you problem solving techniques so that you are able to deal with challenges that arise in your everyday life. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals in order to make it easier for you to keep track of your progress.
While each form of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies are focused on identifying and modifying the underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. Therapists employ various methods but they are all based on the principle of operant and classic conditioning which involves associating stimuli to their effects. In treatment, you will be rewarded for working through tasks. You will also be penalized when you fail to complete the task.
In your first few sessions together, your therapist and you will identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They might also assign homework to help you learn the abilities. You could require anywhere between six and twenty one-onone sessions, based on the nature and severity of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a wide range of disorders, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It also works for adults suffering from ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with an counselor (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. Typically, these sessions last around 50 minutes and may be face-to-face or in groups. They can also be conducted over the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health problems that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about family, friendship, and relationship issues and also work-related issues.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your issues and provide an objective perspective. They can identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can teach you techniques and coping techniques to manage stress, anxiety, or depression. They can assist you in adjusting to major life changes like divorce or the loss of loved ones. They can also teach you how to manage addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge a fee for their services, whereas others may be covered by Medicare rebates if you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.