Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Drugs and counseling are both effective treatments for ADD. Both are essential to test to see which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD tend to be inattentive and unorganized, aswell as hyperactive. They have low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment typically involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available in prescription medications such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be used illegally and are often mixed with other substances like cocaine and methcathinone. They are available in the form of syrups, pills, liquids or patches that are placed on the skin.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses, thereby improving concentration. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity 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 can interact with certain medicines and medical conditions. It is essential to talk with your physician about any concerns.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in 70 percent to 80% of the people who take them. Not all people respond the same way to the medication, and the effects may not last for long.
Certain people find that stimulants aren't working well or they don't like the adverse effects. In this instance doctors may prescribe nonstimulant medications. These medications may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can improve concentration and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these drugs together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to effect and don't work as quickly. They do not raise dopamine levels, and they have a different effect on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and Guanfacine. The most frequent side effect of these medicines is sleepiness. The drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, called 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).
Your physician may prescribe a medicine that belongs to one of these groups in order to ease anxiety or depression symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, since it could take a few weeks before you experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine which medicine is best for you. They may combine two antidepressants or other medications to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. This is referred to as an augmentation. The most popular augmentation medicines are aripiprazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants may have a variety of adverse effects. You should discuss these side effects with your physician because they could interfere in your daily activities. These adverse effects may range from mild to severe, and they can be triggered by the type of antidepressant that you're taking. Inform your doctor if you're taking any other medications, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs such as St. John's Wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are believed to have less side-effects than other types of antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine levels in the brain. This is the reason they're believed to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have longer half-lifes than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are primarily used to boost your energy levels and help you feel more alert. They can be helpful for people suffering from anxiety or insomnia. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness, but they are beneficial to many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia, and to help smokers quit.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural issues
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process which can help you develop new methods to manage negative thoughts and stressors. It can be used to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
The purpose of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behavior. The method is a mix of two different therapies that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a kind of psychotherapy that is often short-term and is able to be carried out in a group or an individual setting. You will be taught various methods by a therapist and then you'll use them in daily life. Some of these techniques include learning to recognize your negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can also help you identify the negative thoughts that can lead to ineffective behaviors, and then teach you strategies to change these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem-solving techniques to help you handle challenges that come up in your everyday life. Therapists in CBT will also help you to set SMART goals (specific achievable, measurable, relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.
Although each type of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies focus on identifying and modifying the fundamental thoughts that cause emotional distress. Therapists employ various methods but they are all based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves associating stimuli to their effects. During treatment, you will be rewarded for working through tasks. Additionally, you will be punished when you fail to complete them.
During the first few sessions, your therapist will work with you to identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They may also assign homework to help you develop the techniques. Depending on IamPsychiatry of your condition it could take anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a range of conditions including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). It also works for adults with ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that involves planned, regular meetings with the therapist (counsellor) to discuss your problems. Usually these sessions last for approximately 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face, in groups or via the phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from a range of mental health issues including schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to discuss friendship, family and relationship issues as well as work-related problems.
A counsellor will pay attention to your issues and provide an objective perspective. They will be able identify patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can help you learn techniques and coping skills for managing anxiety, stress, or depression. They can help you cope with major life changes, like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can teach you how 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.