Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include drugs and counselling. It is crucial to test both to determine which is more efficient.
People suffering from classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and are often hyperactive. They have a low blood flow to their prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Treatment usually involves increasing the levels of dopamine.
Stimulants
Stimulants stimulate the body's systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, as well as diet aids like Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be used illegally and are often mixed with other substances like methcathinone and cocaine. They are available as syrups, liquids, pills or patches.
They increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and help improve working memory. They are among the most commonly used drugs prescribed to adults with ADHD. They can cause side-effects such as decreased appetite or difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can also interfere with certain medications and medical conditions It is important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
The use of medications can help reduce ADHD symptoms in 70 percent to 80% of those who are taking them. Not all people respond the same way to the medication and the effects may not last for long.
Some people discover that stimulants aren't working well or they don't like the negative effects. In this case, doctors will prescribe nonstimulant medication. They aren't as effective as stimulants, but they can aid in improving attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors often prescribe these with stimulants to increase their effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to work and aren't as effective. They don't increase dopamine levels and they have a different impact on neurotransmitters. Examples include Atomoxetine (clonidine) as well as guanfacine and Clonidine. Drowsiness is the most commonly reported side effect. However it is possible to reduce drowsiness by increasing the dosage or taking them prior to the time of bed. add natural treatment should diminish within a few weeks after starting treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, called neurotransmitters. The medications are grouped by the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group has 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 medication belonging to one of these groups to relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief. It can take several weeks before you feel their full benefits. You and your doctor will determine which medication is best for you. They may add other medications or mix two antidepressants in order to improve your treatment. This is referred to as augmenting. The most common augmentation medications are Aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Antidepressants can cause a variety of adverse effects. It is recommended to discuss these side effects with your doctor, as they may 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 medicines or herbal remedies you're using, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications like St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been known to have fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. This is why SNRIs are thought to be more efficient than SSRIs. They also have a longer half-life than SSRIs and are less likely to interact with other medications. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are used to boost your energy levels and make you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for people suffering from insomnia or very severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are two of the most commonly used. These drugs can cause jitteriness or insomnia however they can be beneficial for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. They are also used for bulimia and to aid in quitting smoking.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven treatment for mental disorders. It is based upon the belief that thoughts and feelings are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a measurable, short-term process that can teach you new methods to deal with negative stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
The aim of CBT is to reframe unhelpful thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. The technique is a mixture of two different therapies that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. This kind of psychotherapy is typically short-term and can be done in a group or in a private setting. You will be taught a variety of techniques by a therapist and then you'll apply them in your daily life. Some of these techniques include learning to recognize your negative automatic thoughts, practicing mindfulness meditation and keeping a thought journal.
A therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that can lead you to engage in maladaptive behavior and teach you how to change your beliefs. They will also help you learn how to deal with problems that arise in your daily life. CBT therapists will also guide you to set SMART goals (specific goals that are measurable, achievable relevant, time-based, and relevant) to aid in tracking your progress.
Although each type of CBT takes a different approach, all cognitive behavior therapies are focused on identifying and modifying the thinking patterns that cause emotional distress. The therapists will use different methods, but they are all based on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, which involves associating stimuli with their effects. During the treatment the person who is treating you will reward you for completing tasks and penalize you for not completing them.
In the first few sessions the therapist will help you identify problem behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They might also assign homework to help you develop the techniques. You could require between six and twenty one-on-one sessions, depending on the severity and nature of your condition.
CBT can be utilized to treat a variety of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective in treating adult ADHD which is prevalent in children as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that uses regular, planned meetings with a therapist to discuss your concerns. The sessions can last from 30 minutes to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face in groups, or by phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from many mental health issues, including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationship, friendship and family issues, and also work-related issues.
A counsellor will listen carefully to your issues and provide an objective view. They will be able to detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways you can alter them. They will be able to teach you coping strategies and techniques for managing depression, anxiety, or stress. They can help you adjust to major life changes, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also teach you how to manage addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, whereas others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have a mental health care plan from your doctor.