Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. Both are essential to test to see which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be irritable and disorganized, as well as hyperactive. They have low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal Ganglia and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are legally available as prescription medications, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) and the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally, often mixed with other substances, such as methcathinone and cocaine (crack). They can be taken in the form of syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are placed on the skin.
They boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity, impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite or trouble sleeping, as well as an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interfere with some medical and pharmaceutical treatments Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
About 70% to 80 percent of those who are taking ADHD medications will experience reduced symptoms. Not everyone responds the same way to the medication and the effects may not last long.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or can't tolerate their side effects. If this is the case, doctors could prescribe non-stimulant drugs. These drugs might not be as effective as stimulants, but they can help improve attention and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications along with stimulants to boost the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to start working, and they don't act as fast. They do not raise dopamine levels and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and Guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most common side result. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at the time of bed. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks of beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. They are classified based on the way they affect these neurotransmitters with each group having medications that work 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 doctor might suggest you start taking one of these groups to relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks to experience their full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine the best treatment for you. They can mix two antidepressants or add other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is called augmenting. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can have different adverse effects. It is important to discuss these side effects with your physician since they could cause problems in your daily activities. These side effects could be mild or severe depending on the kind of antidepressant you're taking. Inform your doctor if taking any other medications, such as herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been proven to cause fewer side effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is why SNRIs are regarded as more effective than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost your energy levels and make you feel more alert. They can be helpful for people suffering from anxiety or insomnia. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are among the most common. These drugs can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness, however they are beneficial to many people suffering from depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used for bulimia and for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a research-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the belief that emotions and thoughts are connected and can be altered. 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 depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
The purpose of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive feelings and behaviors. The method is a mix of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy that is often short-term and can be performed in a private or group setting. A therapist will guide you through various techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily routine. These techniques include: learning to recognize negative automatic thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a journal.
A therapist can assist you in identifying negative thoughts that can lead you to take on a negative behavior and teach you how to change these thoughts. They'll also teach you problem-solving techniques so that you are able to face challenges in your everyday life. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals in order to help you to monitor your progress.
While each type of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavior treatments focus on identifying and modifying the thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. The therapists will use different methods, but they are all built on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the treatment the trainer will give you a reward for completing tasks and penalize those who fail to complete the tasks.
In your initial sessions together, your therapist and you will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them with healthier ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the abilities. You could require anywhere between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the severity and nature of your condition.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of disorders that include depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also be effective for adults suffering from ADHD which affects individuals as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled sessions with a therapist to discuss your issues. The typical session lasts about 50 minutes. They may be face-to-face, in groups or via telephone. Counselling can be used to treat a variety of mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family, and relationship issues, as well as workplace-related issues.
A counsellor will listen carefully to your concerns and provide an objective view. IamPsychiatry can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They can also teach you strategies and coping skills for managing stress, anxiety, or depression. They can assist you in dealing with major life changes, like divorce or the loss of a beloved. They can also teach you how to deal with addictions and chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.