Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include drugs and counselling. It is crucial to test both to determine which one is more effective.
People with classic ADD are irritable, disorganized 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 usually involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants accelerate the body's systems. They are legal as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, including methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They are available in the form of liquids, pills, syrups or patches.
They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and help improve working memory. They are the most frequently used medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can cause negative side effects, such as a decreased appetite, insomnia and a rise in heart rate or blood pressure. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is important to speak to your doctor about any concerns.
About 70% to 80 percent of people who use ADHD medication will experience reduced symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medication and the effects may not be long-lasting.
Some people find that stimulants aren't working well, or they can't tolerate the negative effects. If this is the case, doctors may prescribe non-stimulant medications. These medications may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve concentration and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to get started, and they don't act as fast. They do not raise dopamine levels and they have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and the clonidine. The most common side effect of these medicines is drowsiness. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dose or taking them before bedtime. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants work by changing the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to how they interact with neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of distinct medications. 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 medication belonging to one of these groups to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, as it could take several weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine the most effective medication for you. They may add other medications or mix two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most popular augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Antidepressants may have a variety of adverse effects. You should discuss these side effects with your doctor because they could interfere with your daily activities. These side effects may be mild or severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. Full Post is also important to inform your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're using, including prescription drugs and herbal remedies such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are known to have less adverse effects than other types of antidepressants. These 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 regarded as more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. The SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost energy and help you feel more awake. They are beneficial for those suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause insomnia or jitteriness however they can be beneficial for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used to treat bulimia and for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based upon the belief that thoughts and feelings are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a measurable, short-term process that can teach you new methods to deal with stressors and bad habits. It can also be used to treat depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
The aim of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. The technique is an amalgamation of two treatments that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be performed in a group or on an individual basis. A therapist will guide you through various techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your daily routine. Some of these techniques include learning to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, implementing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can also assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that lead to ineffective behaviors, and then teach you strategies for changing these assumptions. They'll also teach you problem-solving techniques so that you are able to handle challenges that come up in your everyday life. CBT therapists encourage you to establish SMART goals to help you to track your progress.
While each type of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies focus on identifying and changing the underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. The therapists use different techniques however they all are based on the principle of operant and classical conditioning that involves relating stimuli to their effects. During the therapy the trainer will be rewarded for your accomplishments and punish those who fail to complete them.
During the first few sessions the therapist will assist you to identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you develop the abilities. You may need anywhere from six to twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the nature and severity of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It also works for adult ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that consists of regular, scheduled meetings with a therapy (counsellor) to discuss your problems. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about friendship, family and relationship issues, as well as work-related problems.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your concerns and offer an objective view. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can also teach you strategies and coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes like divorce or loss of loved ones. They can also show you how to cope with addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health plans from your doctor.