Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Counseling and medication are both effective treatment options for ADD. Both are essential to test to see which is more effective.
People suffering from classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are legal as prescription drugs, including amphetamines (Adder-all and Dexedrine), the methylphenidates (Concerta and Ritalin) and diet aids like Didrex, Bontril and Fastin and are also illegally used frequently mixed with other substances, such as cocaine and methcathinone (crack). They can be consumed as pills, syrups or liquids, or patches which are applied to the skin.
They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are present in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and enhance working memory. These are the most common medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger adverse effects like a decrease in appetite, sleep disturbances and increased heart rate or blood pressure. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It is important to speak to your doctor about any concerns.
About 70% to 80 percent of people who use ADHD medications will notice a reduction in symptoms. However, not all people respond to the same medication and the effects don't always long-lasting.
Some people discover that stimulants aren't working well, or they can't tolerate the negative effects. In this case doctors may prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs may not be as efficient as stimulants, however they can boost concentration and focus as well as control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to start working and they don't react as quickly. They don't increase dopamine levels, and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and the guanfacine. The most common side effect of these medications is the feeling of drowsiness. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dose or taking them before the time of sleep. The drowsiness will subside within a few weeks of the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the brain's chemical makeup, known as neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on 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).
Your doctor may prescribe a medication that belongs to one of these groups to ease anxiety or 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 decide the best treatment for you. They may combine two antidepressants or other medicines to improve the effectiveness of your treatment. This is known as augmenting. The most common enhancement drugs are aripiprazole quetiapine, and lithium.
Different antidepressants have different adverse effects. It is important to speak with your doctor about the side effects because some could affect your daily activities. These side effects may be mild or serious dependent on the type of antidepressant you're taking. It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, such as prescription drugs and herbal remedies like St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants, and are known to have less adverse effects than other antidepressants. These include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why SNRIs are thought to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. The SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost energy levels and make you feel more alert. They could be helpful for people suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are among the most common. These drugs can cause jitteriness or insomnia, but can be helpful for many people who suffer from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They can also be used to treat the treatment of bulimia as well as for smoking cessation.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a scientifically-based treatment for mental health disorders. It is based on the idea that emotions, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is a measurable, short-term program that teaches you new methods to deal with negative stressors and bad habits. Iam Psychiatry can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.
The aim of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. The technique is a mixture of two treatments which are cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. This type of psychotherapy is usually short-term and can be done either in a group setting or individually. A therapist will guide you through various methods, and you'll apply them in your daily routine. Some of these techniques include: being able to recognize your negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a mental journal.
A therapist can assist you in identifying the negative thoughts that can lead to maladaptive behaviors and then teach you strategies for changing these beliefs. They will also teach you how to tackle issues that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will also guide you to establish SMART goals (specific achievable, measurable relevant, and time-based) to make it easier to track your progress.
Although each type of CBT has its own approach, all cognitive behavioral therapies focus on identifying and changing the thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. The therapists will use different methods, but they are all built on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involves associating stimuli with their effects. During the therapy the trainer will be rewarded for your accomplishments and will punish you for not completing the tasks.
In the initial few sessions your therapist will work with you to identify the problem behaviors and replace them with healthy ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the abilities. Depending on the nature of your condition, you may require anywhere from 6-20 one-on-one sessions.
CBT can be used to treat a number of conditions, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). It can also be effective for adults suffering from ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that uses regular, scheduled meetings with a therapist in order to discuss your concerns. These sessions can last up to 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or by phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from various mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about relationship, family and friendship issues as well as work-related issues.
A counsellor will listen carefully to your concerns and provide an objective perspective. They can identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways you can alter them. They will be able to teach you strategies for coping and strategies for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. 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 manage addictions or a chronic illness.
Some counsellors charge for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates when you have mental health plans from your doctor.