Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Drugs and counseling are both effective treatments for ADD. It is essential to try both to determine which is more efficient.
People with classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and the thalamus. add and treatment have low levels of dopamine. Treatment typically involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be used illegally and often mixed with other substances such as cocaine and methcathinone. They are available as pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They enhance concentration by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can cause side effects such as decreased appetite, sleep disturbances and an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. They can also interfere with certain medical treatments and medications, so it's important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in 70 percent to 80% of the people who take them. However, not everyone responds to the same medication and the effects may not be lasting.
Some people discover that stimulants aren't working well or they don't like the adverse effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants, but they can help improve attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to start working, and they don't act as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants and don't increase dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine), guanfacine, and Clonidine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side result. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dose or taking them before bedtime. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to how they interact with neurotransmitters. Each group has slightly different medications. 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 in order to alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It may take several weeks to feel the full benefit. Your doctor and you will decide on the most effective medication for you. You may mix two antidepressants or other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is known as augmenting. The most popular augmentation medicines are Aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants can have different side effects. It is recommended to discuss these side effects with your doctor, as they may interfere in your daily activities. These adverse effects can range from mild to severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medication, including herbal remedies and prescription drugs such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have less adverse effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and 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 drugs. The SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used to boost energy and make you feel more awake. They can be helpful for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness, but they can be useful for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used for bulimia and as a smoking cessation aid.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based upon the idea that emotions and thoughts are connected and can be altered. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented that helps you discover new methods to manage stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety.
CBT seeks to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive emotions or behaviors. The method is the combination of two therapies that include cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be performed in a group or individually. A therapist will teach you various techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include: the ability to recognize negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.
A therapist can also help you identify the negative thoughts that cause maladaptive behaviors and then provide strategies to change these assumptions. They will also teach you how to deal with problems that arise in your daily life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to establish goals that are SMART (specific goals that are measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based) to help you track your progress.
While each type of cognitive behavioral therapy employs an entirely different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the underlying thoughts that cause emotional distress and transforming them. Therapists employ various methods but they are all based on the principle of operant and classic conditioning which involves the association of stimuli with their effects. During the therapy the trainer will reward you for completing tasks and will punish those who fail to complete them.
In the first few sessions, your therapist will help you identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You may be given homework to help you develop the skills. You may need anywhere between six and twenty one-onone sessions, based on the degree and nature of your illness.
CBT can be used to treat a number of conditions, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). It can also be effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves regular, planned meetings with a therapist to discuss your issues. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-toface, in groups, or by phone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health issues such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationship, friendship and family issues, as well as work-related difficulties.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your problems and provide an objective viewpoint. They can discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They will be able to teach you coping strategies and strategies for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you adjust to major life changes such as divorce or loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how to manage addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health plans from your doctor.