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 disorganized, as well being hyperactive. They lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are usually increased as part of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants speed up the body's systems. They are available in prescription medications such as amphetamines, methylphenidates and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They can also be illegally used and often mixed with other substances such as methcathinone and cocaine. They can be consumed as pills, syrups, liquids or patches that are placed on the skin.
They improve concentration by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity, hyperactivity and improve working memory. They are among the most commonly used medication prescribed to people suffering from ADHD. They can trigger negative side effects, such as a decreased appetite, sleep disturbances and an increase in heart rate or blood pressure. They may interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk with your doctor regarding any concerns.
Medications can reduce ADHD symptoms in about 70 percent to 80% of those who take them. Not all people respond the same way to the medication, and the effects might not last long.
Certain people find that stimulants don't work for them, or they can't tolerate the side effects. In this case doctors will prescribe non-stimulant medication. These drugs might not be as effective as stimulants, but they can boost attention and focus and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications alongside stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant drugs take longer to effect and don't perform as efficiently. They don't raise dopamine levels and they have different effects on neurotransmitters. Examples include atomoxetine and guanfacine. The most frequent side effect of these medications is the feeling of drowsiness. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking them at the time of bed. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks after the beginning of treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical substances in the brain known as neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group is comprised of slightly different medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
A health care provider might recommend a medication from one of these groups to alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications may not offer immediate relief, as it could take a few weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide the best treatment for you. They may add other medications or mix two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is referred to as augmenting. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are Aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants can have different side effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects, since some of them could interfere with your daily activities. These effects can be mild or serious, depending on the type antidepressant that you are taking. You should also inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, including prescription drugs and herbal remedies such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs have been found to have fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. The SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) as well as sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine levels in the brain. treating adults with adhd is the reason 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 drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost energy and make you feel more awake. They are beneficial for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness, insomnia or drowsiness, however they can be useful for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia and to assist smokers in quitting.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a tried and true treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the belief that emotions, thoughts and actions are interconnected and can be altered. CBT is a goal-oriented short-term process that can teach you new ways to cope with stressors and bad habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
The aim of CBT is to change negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. The method is a mix of two treatments, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a type of psychotherapy that's usually short-term, and it is able to be carried out in a group or individual setting. A therapist will teach you various methods, and you'll apply them in your daily routine. These techniques include: learning how to recognize negative thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping a journal.
A Therapist can also assist you in identifying negative thoughts that lead you to adopting maladaptive behavior and teach you how to change these beliefs. They'll also help you develop problem-solving skills so that you can face challenges in your day-to-day life. CBT therapists advise you to set SMART goals to aid you to keep track of your progress.
Although each type of cognitive behavioral therapy takes an entirely different approach but they all are focused on identifying the thoughts that cause emotional distress and changing them. Therapists employ various methods but they all operate on the principle of operant and classical conditioning, which involves the association of stimuli with their effects. During the treatment, the person who is treating you will give you a reward for completing tasks and penalize you for not completing the tasks.
During your first few sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will be able to identify the problematic behavior and replace them by healthy ones. They may also assign homework to help you develop the techniques. Depending on the nature of your condition, you may require up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT can be used to treat a number of ailments such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). It also works in treating adult ADHD, a condition that can affect people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy which uses planned, regular meetings with the therapy (counsellor) to discuss your concerns. The typical session lasts around 50 minutes and can be face to face, in groups or over the telephone. Counselling can aid people suffering from various mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to discuss relationship, friendship and family issues as well as work-related difficulties.
A counsellor will carefully listen to your issues and provide an objective view. They will be able to detect patterns of behavior and suggest ways to change them. They will be able to teach you coping skills and techniques for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can assist you in dealing with major life changes like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can also help you learn how to cope with addictions or chronic illnesses.
Some counsellors charge fees for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health plans from your doctor.