Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatments for ADD. It is important to try both to determine which one is more effective.
People with classic ADD tend to be inattentive and unorganized, aswell being hyperactive. They have a lack of blood flow to the prefrontal cortex as well as the basal Ganglia. They also have low dopamine levels. Treatment typically involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally, often mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be consumed in the form of syrups, pills or liquids, or patches which are placed on the skin.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine 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 side-effects such as a decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They may interfere with certain medical treatments and medications It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in around 70 percent to 80% of those who are taking them. Not everyone responds the same way to the medication and the effects might not last long.
Some people discover that stimulants don't work for them or they don't like the side effects. In this instance, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant medications. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve focus, attention and control of impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to get started and they don't react as quickly. They don't raise dopamine levels and have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and the guanfacine. The most frequently reported side effect of these medications is the feeling of drowsiness. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication prior to the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, which are known as neurotransmitters. They are grouped according to how they affect these neurotransmitters, with each class having a variety of medications that perform in slightly different ways. 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 may start you on one of these groups to alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. These medicines may not provide immediate relief, since it could take a few weeks before you feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine the best treatment for you. They may combine two antidepressants or add other medicines to improve the effects of your treatment. This is known as an augmentation. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants may have a variety of adverse effects. It is important to discuss these adverse effects with your doctor since they could cause problems with your daily activities. These effects may vary from mild to severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant you're taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medicines or herbal remedies you're taking, such as over-the-counter drugs and herbs such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been known to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is why 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 for their energizing effects and help you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people with insomnia or severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban, Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These medications can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness. However, they are beneficial to many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia and to assist smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that thoughts, feelings and behaviours are all connected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure which can help you develop new methods to manage stressors and negative habits. It can also be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
CBT is designed to transform negative thoughts and emotions into positive emotions or behaviors. The method is a combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is typically short-term, and can be carried out in a group setting or in a private setting. A therapist will teach you various techniques, and you'll be able to apply them in your daily routine. These techniques include learning how to recognize negative automatic thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping an account of your thoughts.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that cause you to take on a negative behavior and teach you how to change these thoughts. They will also teach you how to deal with problems in your daily routine. CBT therapists encourage you to establish SMART goals to make it easier for you to keep track of your progress.
Although each type of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavior therapies focus on identifying and changing underlying thoughts that contribute to emotional distress. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but most are based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves relating events with their effects. During the therapy, the therapist will reward you for completing tasks and penalize you for not completing them.
In your first few sessions together, your therapist and you will look for problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They may also assign homework to help you master the techniques. Based on the severity of your condition, you may require up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). treat adult add can also be effective in treating adult ADHD, a condition that affects people as young seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled meetings with a therapist in order to discuss your concerns. The typical session lasts about 50 minutes. They can be conducted face-to-face, in groups or over the telephone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health problems, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family, and relationship issues, as well as workplace-related problems.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your concerns and offer an objective perspective. They will be able to discern patterns of behavior and suggest ways to modify them. They can also teach you strategies and coping strategies to manage anxiety, stress or depression. They can assist you in dealing with major life changes, like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can help you learn to deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health plans from your doctor.