Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include drugs and counselling. Both are essential to test to see which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD are inattentive, disorganized and often hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing dopamine levels.
Stimulants
Stimulants speed up the body's systems. They are available legally as prescription drugs, such as amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine) as well as the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and also used illegally frequently mixed with other substances, including cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They are available as pills, syrups or liquids, or patches that are applied to the skin.
They boost concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and enhance working memory. They are the most frequently used medications prescribed to adults suffering from ADHD. They can cause negative side effects, such as a decreased appetite, trouble sleeping and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can also interfere with certain medical treatments and medications It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in 70% 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 well or they aren't able to handle the side effects. In this instance, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant medication. They aren't as effective as stimulants but they can help improve attention, focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to boost their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines 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 atomoxetine, clonidine and the guanfacine. The most frequently reported side effect of these medicines is the feeling of drowsiness. The drowsiness can be decreased by increasing the dose or taking the medication prior to bedtime. The drowsiness should subside within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. They are classified according to how 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).
Your physician may prescribe a medication belonging to one of these groups in order to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It could take a few weeks to feel their full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the best treatment for you. They can mix two antidepressants or add other medicines to boost the effectiveness of your treatment. This is called augmenting. The most popular augmentation medicines are Aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can cause a variety of side effects. It is recommended to discuss these side effects with your physician because they could interfere in your daily activities. These adverse effects can be mild or extreme and depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, such as over-the-counter drugs and herbs like St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been proven to cause less side effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is the reason SNRIs are thought to be more effective than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are utilized to boost your energy levels, helping you to feel more alert. They can be beneficial for people suffering from insomnia or severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of the most commonly used. These medications can cause insomnia, jitteriness or drowsiness, but they can be useful for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. They are also used for the treatment of bulimia as well as as a smoking cessation aid.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based upon the notion that feelings and thoughts are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented procedure which can help you develop 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 emotions into positive emotions or behaviors. The technique is a mixture of two treatments that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy that's usually short-term, and can be performed in a private or group setting. The therapist will instruct you on various techniques, and you'll practice them in your daily routine. These techniques include: understanding how to recognize negative automatic thoughts as well as practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a journal.
A Therapist can also help you identify negative thoughts that cause you to engage in maladaptive behavior, and show you how to change these thoughts. They will also help you learn how to tackle issues in your daily routine. CBT therapists will also guide you to develop SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based) to aid in tracking your progress.
Although each type of CBT employs a distinct approach, all cognitive behavioral treatments focus on identifying and modifying the thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but most are based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves relating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. In treatment you will be rewarded for completing tasks. Additionally, you will be penalized when you fail to complete them.
In the initial few sessions, your therapist will assist you to identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be assigned homework to help you develop the abilities. You may need anywhere between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the degree and nature of your condition.
CBT is effective in treating a variety of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD which affects people as young seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a type of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled meetings with the counselor (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or via the phone. Counselling can be used to treat a range of mental health problems that include depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. webpage can also be used to talk about relationships, friendships and family issues - as well as issues related to work.
A counselor will listen attentively to your concerns and provide an objective viewpoint. They can identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways to modify them. They will be able to teach you coping strategies and strategies for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you adjust to major life changes, such as divorce or loss of loved ones. They can help you learn to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, and others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.