Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include drugs and counselling. It is essential to try both to determine which one is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, the basal Ganglia and thalamus. They also have low dopamine levels. Dopamine levels tend to increase in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants speed up the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin; and illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, including cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available as syrups, pills or liquids, or patches that are placed on the skin.
They enhance concentration by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, and improve working memory. These are the most common medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects like a decrease in appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in heart rate or bloodpressure. They can interfere with some medical treatments and medications It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Medications can reduce ADHD symptoms in around 70% to 80% of those who take them. Different people respond in a different way to the medication and the effects might not last long.
Certain people find that stimulants don't work for them or they aren't able to handle the negative effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve attention and focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to start working and they don't react as fast. They don't increase dopamine levels and have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include the atomoxetine (clonidine), guanfacine, and clonidine. Drowsiness is the most frequent side consequence. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication before bedtime. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants affect the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to how they act on 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).
A health care provider might recommend one of these groups in order to alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, since it could take several weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medication is best for you. They can also add additional medications or combine two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is known as an augmentation. The most common augmenting drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine and lithium.
Antidepressants can cause a variety of adverse effects. It is recommended to discuss these side effects with your doctor, as they may interfere with your daily activities. Iam Psychiatry can range from mild to extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medication, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been found to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is the reason they're believed to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other medications. The SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be utilized to boost your energy levels and make you feel more alert. They are beneficial for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause insomnia or jitteriness, but can be helpful for those 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 problems
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based upon the notion that emotions and thoughts are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a measurable, short-term program that teaches you new strategies to deal with negative stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
The goal of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behavior. The method is a combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be performed in a group or on an individual basis. You will be taught various techniques by a therapist, and then you'll use them in daily life. These techniques include learning to recognize negative thoughts; practicing mindfulness meditation; and keeping journals.
A therapist can also assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that cause maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies to change these assumptions. They'll also teach you problem-solving skills so that you can deal with challenges that arise in your day-to-day life. CBT therapists advise you to establish SMART goals to help you to keep track of your progress.
Although each type of cognitive behavior therapy has an approach that is slightly different but they all are focused on identifying the fundamental mental thoughts that contribute to emotional distress and transforming them. Therapists employ various methods but they are all based on the principle of operant and classical conditioning, which involves the association of stimuli with their effects. During the therapy, the person who is treating you will reward you for completing tasks and penalize you for failing to complete them.
During the first few sessions, your therapist will help you identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They might also assign homework to help you master the abilities. You may need between six and twenty one-onone sessions, based on the degree and nature of your illness.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of ailments, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). It also works for adults with ADHD, which affects people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that uses regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist in order to discuss your issues. Usually these sessions last for around 50 minutes and may be face-to-face or in groups. They can also be conducted via phone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss family, friendship, and relationship issues, as well as issues related to work.
A counselor will listen attentively to your concerns and provide an objective perspective. They will be able to discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can alter them. They can help you learn techniques and coping techniques to manage anxiety, stress or depression. They can assist you in adapting to major life changes like divorce or loss of loved ones. They can help you learn to manage addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health care plans from your doctor.