Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. It is crucial to test both to determine which one is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentional and unorganized, aswell as hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal Ganglia and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of 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 illegally used and are often mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone. They are available as syrups, pills or liquids, or patches that are applied to the skin.
They enhance concentration by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can cause adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, insomnia and increased heart rate or blood pressure. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk with your physician about any concerns.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in about 70 percent to 80% of those who use them. However, not all people respond to the same medication and the effects aren't always long-lasting.
Some people don't like stimulants or don't like their side effects. In this instance doctors may prescribe nonstimulant medications. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants, but they do help improve attention, focus and control impulses. Doctors sometimes prescribe these along with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs are more difficult to use and aren't as effective. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants and don't raise dopamine levels in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine and guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side consequence. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside in the following weeks after beginning 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 contains somewhat different medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
A medical professional might recommend one of these groups to help relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide which medication works best for you. They may combine two antidepressants, or add other medicines to improve the effectiveness of your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most popular enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine, and lithium.
Different antidepressants can have different side effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about the side effects because some could affect your daily activities. These side effects may be severe or mild, depending on the type antidepressant you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, including herbal remedies and prescription drugs like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been proven to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are thought to be more effective 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 utilized to boost your energy levels and help you feel more alert. They could be helpful for people suffering from insomnia or very severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness, but they can be beneficial for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They can also be used to treat bulimia and for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based upon the belief that thoughts and feelings are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure that can help you learn new strategies to handle stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
CBT aims to transform unhelpful thoughts and feelings into positive feelings or behaviours. It is a combination of two therapies, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be performed either in a group setting or in a private setting. A therapist will teach you various techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily life. These techniques include: learning how to recognize negative thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping a journal.
A therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that lead to ineffective behaviors, and then provide strategies to change these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem solving techniques to help you handle challenges that come up in your day-to-day life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to develop goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable relevant, and time-based) to help you track your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavior therapy has an approach that is slightly different but they all are focused on identifying the thoughts that cause emotional distress and transforming them. Therapists employ various methods however they all are based on the principles operant and classic conditioning which involves associating stimuli to their effects. During the therapy the therapist will reward you for completing tasks and punish you for failing to complete them.
In the initial few sessions, your therapist will work with you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. You might be given homework to help you master the skills. You could require anywhere from six to twenty one-onone sessions, based on the nature and severity of your illness.
CBT can be used to treat a number of disorders that include depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also works for adult ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Ongoing is a type of psychotherapy which uses regular, scheduled meetings with the therapist (counsellor) to discuss your problems. Typically, these sessions last about 50 minutes. They can be face to face or in groups. They can also be conducted over the phone. Counselling can help people with many mental health issues like depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationship, friendship and family issues as well as issues related to work.
A counselor will listen to your concerns and offer an objective perspective. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can 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 loved ones. They can also help you learn how to manage 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.